lathe help
 

Well, I just bought a new X-mod super lathe, and it looks pretty and all, but I really would like to USE IT. My question is...what in the world do I do? LOL I know I have to be extremely careful and pracite on old arms, but how do I set it up and all? Thanks in advance.

check this out

http://www.balakracing.com/commcutting.htm

I don't know what bit you have? If carbide, run it until it is worn out. I can be resharped too. Don't go out a buy a diamond bit until you have a lot of time running lathe. Most racers who have one really don't use it a lot. Unless he is tuning motors or truing comms for other racers... One thing, I had to shim bit a little, so it cuts just above center of comm... :tire:

Thanks a lot guys. I have a carbide bit and it's fine for what I need, i just don't want to screw anything up, the instructions I got were pretty vague, pretty much said take it to a machine shop and have them teach you:weird:

make sure the bit is square and at the middle of the comm. U may need to use some paper or thin cardboard to do this. Also, dont go in too far at once, gradual cuts are always better

Thanks trinity. Everyone says to make sure you have the lathe set up right, but the instructions didn't tell you how to do that. what do you mean by make sure the bit is centered? Thanks a lot! - Mike

Ok put the bit in so that the cutting face is down. Make sure that it is pushed all the way in so that it makes a 90 angle. Then screw it in (lightly) so it dosn't move. Next you need to make sure that when it cuts the bit isn't too low(if it is'nt shimmed to the right hight it won't give a nice cut). So you should have been given some thin metal sheets or you can just use paper to put under the bit too so it is at the right hight(only use as many as necessary). You'll need a hinge pin or a perfectly true thin cylindrical piece of metal to put in the v/blocks or bearing guides to simulate an arm. Then measure it if possible (or eyeball it) to make sure the bit cuts perfectely at the center of the pin or just a touch higher(make sure it isn't lower then the center). You want to be able to adjust depth with the lathe adjustments so make sure the bit dosn't stick out of the block any more then necessary. Tighten well with threadlock if desired and you should be ready to go.

Hope this helps.

O yes, to power the lathe I use a 55t integy motor and a 4 cell pack. This setup gives a great cutting speed on my "perfect lathe". You may have to tune the cutting speed though to get the best cut(i.e. drop to 3 cells if necessary). Also make sure the arm spins away from you when the lathe is running.

Good info FD

Thanks a million fatdoggy! I got some little white washers, thin metal sheets with it along with the bit. I'm going to use a 55t slave motor and taking an old 1400 stick pack apart and making it a 4 cell. I'll let you guys know how it goes when I get home and give it go.

No sweat. :cool:

The thin white washers are to make sure the arm is shimmed between the blocks so that it dosn't move around while your cutting.

Ooooooh, thats what those are for:lol: It's all coming together! Thanks so much guys!

Hey guys, I just found this, it helped a lot! http://rcvehicles.about.com/library/...lrvcutcomm.htm

Well, I just made my first pass. Those old batteries don't last long, but it looks good so far:sweat: I turned it on and marked it with a sharpie, and went across. The comm was messed up, 2 passes later and I still had black in the center of the comm. i'm going as lightly as possible and it looks good. The parts that did get cut have a very very polished finish to them. As soon as I get these batteries charged again I'll let you know how it went and try to get some pictures.:sweat: :sweat:

Just keep making light passes... Sometimes it takes a few...