Hudy lathe help
 

:cry:
Hey,

got my brand new hudy lathe today, ive used lathes before but this one is misbehaving. Ive set the lathe as instructions and it cuts perfectly, but on the return past it leaves a mist on the comm and lines, if any one can help me get a mirror finish id be very great ful. btw the bit isnt damaged its a set up issue.

thanks a bunch

Are you sure its shimmed properly? If you dont have the axial support you might want to try placing a nylon washer and pinion on the arm while you cut so it does not move around. My guess (based on a assumption you do not have the axial support) is that during the cut, it is keeping tension on the arm so there is no play/wobble. As you return there is no tension and the arm is free to do as it pleases... producing a very small wobble/vibration that is 'clouding' your cut.

Keep in mind a mirror finish is not needed for max performance. Your mirror finish disappears on the comm about 4 seconds after you run it in! :p I would pay more attention to measuring the comm at both ends and ensuring that it is a perfectly even cut, all the way through.

your final pass should only be in one direction. are you using wd40 or a sharpie marker for cutting ?

im using a sharpie,
I think you may have hit the nail on the head there is some play in the armature 1 or 2mm left to right and i think this may be the cause.

Thanks for the help

i usually place my left index finger on the end of the arm with a little pressure to keep the arm from moving and one motor washer on the comm side.