Tools/metallathe
Harrison M300 Light-industrial Metal Lathe
Owing to it's dangerous nature, delicate nature, or expense, this tool requires that you be inducted on it's proper handling before use. |
Introduction[edit]
The Harrison M300 lathe is an educational/Light-duty industrial lathe well suited for our requirements. It has a maximum part diameter of 330mm and a maximum length of 650mm and is designed to work with all standard engineering metals and well as most plastics but please note it is NOT suitable for use with any types of wood because wood fibres are sticky and abrasive so they tend to cause damage to the slideways. Induction is required for all members wanting to use the lathe and this is controlled by a card reader mounted next to the main power switch. The lathe has now also been fitted with a Digital Read-Out (DRO) to make it easier to use, it's still settling in and isn't fully accurate yet but it's usable. The instruction manual for the lathe is available here. The instruction manual for the DRO is here, please do not change the settings.
Current Status[edit]
Date | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
23rd March 2022 | Fully Functional | Coolant line replaced |
Induction levels available[edit]
Induction options are level-1 which covers safe use of the machine and a handful of simple topics suitable for very simple jobs and is available from all trainers, takes about 60 minutes, with a maximum group size of 3 but 1-to-1 will go faster. Level 2 induction which covers a few more topics and is likely to deal with most machining operations that occasional users are likely to need. Level 2 induction takes 2 x 2hr sessions with a maximum group size of 2 although 1-on-1 sessions are available, there may be a small charge for the materials used during training. Level 3 induction which covers most machining operations that are likely to occur even on complex projects as well as some of the more complex maintenance tasks on the lathe. Level 3 induction will take multiple sessions of 3+ hours and is 1-to-1, again there will be a small charge per module for materials used and trainer time.
Some of the inductors also offer workshop sessions that involve completing a specific project rather than general lathe operations, these sessions will include at least a basic induction and usually include some but not all material from other induction levels. Charges and times for these vary, see the workshops page.
Tools currently available[edit]
The lathe is fitted with a Multifix clone quick change toolpost, size A. We have a number of toolholders available for use. If you change a tool, please re-fit the original before putting the toolholder back on the board.
Lathe users with level-1 induction should be using the High-Speed-Steel turning tools as they're cheap, robust and easily re-sharpened, for users with level-2 induction we have the following carbide-insert tooling available
Accessories[edit]
Planned Upgrades[edit]
Parts and upgrades that are planned/Budgeted/Purchased for in the near future
- Machining assistance touchscreen terminal
Lathe Caretakers[edit]
Inductions[edit]
The following people are able to provide inductions on the metal lathe
Name/Contact | Induction levels provided | Notes |
---|---|---|
James-M | 1 | |
Tim Endean | 1 |
Workshops[edit]
The following workshops are available that heavily feature the metal lathe
Maintainers[edit]
These are the people who look after and repair the lathe, they're the ones to contact if there's any problems with it
Name | Notes |
---|---|
James-M |
Recent Changes[edit]
If you make any non-trivial changes to lathe or perform maintenance please note it here, delete records older than 1 yr
- Make and fit another new coolant line adapter, trying PETg this time to see if that works better Stever (talk) 22:19, 15 April 2022 (BST)
- Reprint and fit replacement coolant line adapter Stever (talk) 12:01, 23 March 2022 (UTC)
- Realign tailstock to remove taper Stever (talk) 18:51, 4 January 2022 (UTC)
- Change oil in main gearbox, open up casing and clean oil galleries, check spindle bearing play (3um) Stever (talk) 16:13, 10 November 2021 (UTC)
- Fit new 2-axis DRO, Mike-C and Stever (talk) 16:13, 10 November 2021 (UTC)
- Recut 3-jaw chuck Stever (talk) 16:03, 8 October 2021 (BST)
- Installed card reader Stever (talk) 16:09, 29 September 2021 (BST)
- Rebuild 3-jaw chuck Stever (talk) 16:51, 26 July 2021 (BST)
- Top up main gearbox oil, oil all standard oiling points, clean and re-lube leadscrew and feed rod Stever (talk) 12:08, 27 May 2021 (BST)
- Top up apron oil Stever (talk) 18:07, 19 May 2021 (BST)
- Coolant level sensor fitted. Stever (talk) 19:11, 28 June 2020 (UTC)
- Deep clean and re-lubricate all ways Stever (talk) 17:29, 16 May 2020 (UTC)
- New apron oil seal fitted Stever (talk) 15:11, 25 October 2019 (UTC)
- New Multifix toolpost fitted, new tools are on the way - Stever (talk) 17:55, 28 August 2019 (UTC) & JMF
Image Gallery[edit]
Please feel free to add to this gallery if you have interested photos of the Lathe in use.
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A spinning top being turned from the spinning top workshop
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Turning using the collet chuck
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Feedrate table for the lathe, level-2 induction is needed to use this
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The lathe DRO
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Lee working on his spinning top
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The inside of the lathe's screwcutting gearbox
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Turning a long shaft between centers
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Turning a hardened steel circular saw blade held on the face-plate using a CBN insert
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Circular Saw Table Lamp which features the lathe a lot
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Demonstration of turning hardened steel
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A brake disc before being skimmed
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Skimming a cast iron brake rotor with WNMG carbide insert
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A finished brake disc fully cleaned up