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
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. The instruction manual for the lathe is available here.
Current Status
Date | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
25th October 2019 | Fully Functional | Oil seals repaired, oil levels should be checked from now on. |
Induction levels available
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
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
Photo | Name | Type | Condition/Notes | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
3-Jaw self-centring chuck | Work Holding | Standard chuck for jobs not requiring accurate concentricity | On the Lathe usually, spare jaws in the black cabinet by the tailstock | |
4-Jaw independent chuck | Work Holding | For holding odd-shaped workpeices or work where accurate concentricity or offsets are needed - MAXIMUM SPEED 1700rpm | Shelf under lathe | |
Collet chuck | Work Holding | For accurate concentricity on round or hexagon workpeices, suitable for high-speed use and small workpieces. Comes with 12 collets and key | Shelf under lathe | |
Faceplate | Work Holding | For very large workpieces, MAXIMUM SPEED 1200rpm and possibly much lower depending on workpiece | Shelf under lathe | |
Catch plate | Work Holding | For turning between centres, maximum speed will depend on workpiece but is usually severely limited. | Shelf under lathe | |
Lathe Dogs | Work Holding | Used with the Catch plate to drive the work. Three sizes - 1/2", 3/4" and 1". | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock, top drawer | |
Travelling Steady | Work holding | Stabilizes objects which are thin and long and which have to be parallel-turned. The bolts to attach it to the saddle are duct-taped to it. | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock | |
Fixed Steady | Work holding | Holds long workpieces in a fixed location for turning operations in the middle of the work. | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock | |
Milling slide | Work holding | Used when milling small items with a milling cutter mounted in the lathe chuck. Requires mounting holes drilling into cross slide in order to be mounted so not currently usable | Red cupboard by fire door | |
16mm Keyed Drill Chuck on 3MT spindle | Tool holding | Used in the tailstock to hold drills for boring out workpeice | On rack on splashback | |
13mm Keyless drill chuck on 3MT spindle | Tool holding | Used in the tailstock to hold drills for boring out workpeice | On rack on splashback | |
10mm Keyed Drill Chuck on 2MT spindle | Tool holding | Used in the tailstock to hold smaller drills for boring out workpiece | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock, top drawer | |
Live centre on 3MT spindle | Work holding | Holds the far end of a workpiece steady | On rack on splashback | |
Live centre on 2MT spindle | Work holding | Similar to the 3MT live centre, but for smaller workpieces | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock, top drawer | |
Dead centre on 2MT spindle | Work holding | Holds the end of a long workpiece without rotating. Useful for guiding taps and smaller workpieces | On rack on splashback | |
Half dead centre on 2MT spindle | Work holding | Small dead centre with part of the side ground away to allow a tool to get close to the end of the workpiece | On rack on splashback | |
3MT to 2MT Sleeve | Work holding | Used to fit 2MT tools into our 3MT tailstock. We have a number of these available. | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock, top drawer | |
Dead Centre on 5MT Sleeve | Work holding | Used in head for turning between centers in conjunction with catch plate and dogs | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock, top drawer | |
Spring loaded tapping guide | Tool holding | Assists in accurate starting of taps into concentric holes | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock, top drawer | |
Dial indicator on magnetic Base | General | For accurately centring work and for general maintenance tasks | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock, top drawer | |
LED lamp on magnetic base | General | Lighting up work! | On lathe | |
Small red oil can | Consumable | Contains ISO-68 lubricating oil to maintain the lathe, not to be used as cutting fluid | Tool-tray on Lathe | |
File:M300CT90.jpg | White squeeze bottle | Consumable | Contains cutting fluid for use when turning, currently filled with CT-90 fluid suitable for use on all metals, use often but sparingly | Tool-tray on Lathe |
Floating Die-holder set | Tool Holding | Holds dies to allow accurate production of externally threaded parts | In Black metal cabinet near tailstock, third drawer | |
Bed Protector | General | Used to protect the bed from damage if a chuck is dropped while changing and to shield it from abrasive particles when polishing a workpiece | On wall above lathe |
Planned Upgrades
Parts and upgrades that are planned/Budgeted/Purchased for in the near future
- Induction card reader
- 2-Axis DRO
- Machining assistance touchscreen terminal
- Proper oil drain tap for main gearbox, Steve-R to make
Lathe Caretakers
Inductions
The following people are able to provide inductions on the metal lathe
Name/Contact | Induction levels provided | Notes |
---|---|---|
Steve-R | 1,2,3 | |
Ian-P | 1 | Only does 1-to-1 sessions |
Arthur-P | 1 | Currently on haitus, busy being a pirate |
James-M | 1 |
Workshops
The following workshops are available that heavily feature the metal lathe
Maintainers
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 |
---|---|
Steve-R | |
James-M |
Recent Changes
If you make any non-trivial changes to lathe or perform maintenance please note it here, delete records older than 1 yr
- 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
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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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