(OT) lathes & mills : vocabulary questions

The recent thread about lathes and related machinery leaves me at a loss
with the terminology, me not being a native English speaker.

A) I think I can imagine a lathe, if I understand correctly it is called
a "tour" in French and a "draaibank" in my native Dutch. That means,
the piece of stock you are going to work on is clamped between two
centerpoints, the machine makes it turn, then you press a tool somewhere
and it cuts a circular groove. Right so far?

B) If correct on A, how to understand the dimensions? Perhaps a 36x9"
lathe has 36" between centers, and 9" is the max. diameter of basic stock?

C) if we're done about the lathe, what is a mill (in this context)?
Google wasn't too helpful on this one, given windmills and what not.

Excuse my lack of English profiency, thanks in advance!

"jan olieslagers" wrote in message
...
The recent thread about lathes and related machinery leaves me at a loss
with the terminology, me not being a native English speaker.

A) I think I can imagine a lathe, if I understand correctly it is called
a "tour" in French and a "draaibank" in my native Dutch. That means,
the piece of stock you are going to work on is clamped between two
centerpoints, the machine makes it turn, then you press a tool somewhere
and it cuts a circular groove. Right so far?

Yep. You make round stuff smaller.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_lathe


B) If correct on A, how to understand the dimensions? Perhaps a 36x9"
lathe has 36" between centers, and 9" is the max. diameter of basic
stock?

Right again. (well, the 9" is the distance from the bed to the center - you
may have trouble mounting 9"stock)


C) if we're done about the lathe, what is a mill (in this context)?
Google wasn't too helpful on this one, given windmills and what not.


There are many types, but a verticle mill (what most of the people here
would like use) has a spindle that turns and hold a tool (like a drill, but
typically flat on the end). The workpiece (the stuff you want to remove
metal from) is clamped to the table and the table has cranks that you turn
to move the table to the left and the right as well as towards and away
from you. The spindle also moves up and down and the head of the machine
(that holds the spindle) can be tilted away from verticle if you want.

This type of work results in a flat surface or flat grooves or...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Miniature_mill.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milling_machine

Excuse my lack of English profiency, thanks in advance!

Only if you will excuse my lack of French or Dutch profiency.

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
When immigration is outlawed, only outlaws will immigrate.

Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe schreef:
"jan olieslagers" wrote in message
...
The recent thread about lathes and related machinery leaves me at a
loss with the terminology, me not being a native English speaker.

A) I think I can imagine a lathe, if I understand correctly it is called
a "tour" in French and a "draaibank" in my native Dutch. That means,
the piece of stock you are going to work on is clamped between two
centerpoints, the machine makes it turn, then you press a tool
somewhere and it cuts a circular groove. Right so far?

Yep. You make round stuff smaller.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_lathe

Hm. I might have found that one on my own
if I wasn't dog-tired from an early navigation flight exercise...

B) If correct on A, how to understand the dimensions? Perhaps a 36x9"
lathe has 36" between centers, and 9" is the max. diameter of basic
stock?

Right again. (well, the 9" is the distance from the bed to the center -
you may have trouble mounting 9"stock)

This still leaves some confusion - what's "the bed" ?
If it is the place where you rest your tool,
9 inches should allow for 18" stock minus the minimum free tool length?

C) if we're done about the lathe, what is a mill (in this context)?
Google wasn't too helpful on this one, given windmills and what not.


There are many types, but a verticle mill (what most of the people here
would like use) has a spindle that turns and hold a tool (like a drill,
but typically flat on the end). The workpiece (the stuff you want to
remove metal from) is clamped to the table and the table has cranks that
you turn to move the table to the left and the right as well as towards
and away from you. The spindle also moves up and down and the head of
the machine (that holds the spindle) can be tilted away from verticle if
you want.

This type of work results in a flat surface or flat grooves or...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Miniature_mill.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milling_machine

OK, this is what we call "een freesmachine" in Dutch, the cutting
tool itself being "de frees". In French it must be "une fraise"
though that's their word for a strawberry, too...
I have a small handheld machine of this kind that cuts
wonderful straight grooves in wood - if I hold it firm enough.

Excuse my lack of English profiency, thanks in advance!

Only if you will excuse my lack of French or Dutch profiency.

No problem at all sir, thanks for confirming me on the track!
KA

"jan olieslagers" wrote

This still leaves some confusion - what's "the bed" ?

The bed is usually two very flat iron surfaces, on which the non powered end
(tail, or sometimes called a dead tail , if it is a stationary pointed rod,
or a live tail, which implies it has ball bearings to hold the pointed rod
or other holder) slides on, and tightens on, so the end can then be forced
against the workpiece. It also serves as a surface that the tool rest
slides on, as it is driven back and forth by the variable speed feed screws,
which correctly set up can do things like cut threads, or just move the tool
along the workpiece at a steady speed while it is cutting .

If it is the place where you rest your tool,

You do not manually hold a tool on a metal lathe. The tools are held by
tool holders that attach to the feed screws, which like I said, on an engine
lathe can be set for different amounts of movement per revolution of the
workpiece.

On a wood lathe, the rest would be called a tool rest, and it is placed in a
stationary position by clamping onto the bed.
--
Jim in NC

jan olieslagers wrote:

OK, this is what we call "een freesmachine" in Dutch, the cutting
tool itself being "de frees". In French it must be "une fraise"
though that's their word for a strawberry, too...
I have a small handheld machine of this kind that cuts
wonderful straight grooves in wood - if I hold it firm enough.


I may be wrong, but I believe you are speaking of what we would call a
"router". I also apologize for my non-existent Dutch speaking skills,
and all the French I learned in high school has devolved to just one of
the pretty girl's name.

snipped
B) If correct on A, how to understand the dimensions? Perhaps a 36x9"
lathe has 36" between centers, and 9" is the max. diameter of basic
stock?

Right again. (well, the 9" is the distance from the bed to the center -
you may have trouble mounting 9"stock)


snipped

Minor correction: I believe that 'swing' is actually the maximum
diameter of the work. 9" swing would mean 4 1/2" between the bed (rails
that the tailstock moves on) and the centerline.

Charlie

"jan olieslagers" wrote in message
...
The recent thread about lathes and related machinery leaves me at a loss
with the terminology, me not being a native English speaker.

A) I think I can imagine a lathe, if I understand correctly it is called
a "tour" in French and a "draaibank" in my native Dutch. That means,
the piece of stock you are going to work on is clamped between two
centerpoints, the machine makes it turn, then you press a tool somewhere
and it cuts a circular groove. Right so far?

B) If correct on A, how to understand the dimensions? Perhaps a 36x9"
lathe has 36" between centers, and 9" is the max. diameter of basic stock?

C) if we're done about the lathe, what is a mill (in this context)?
Google wasn't too helpful on this one, given windmills and what not.

Excuse my lack of English profiency, thanks in advance!

On a lathe, you rotate the work piece and manipulate the cutter.
On a mill, you rotate the cutter, and manipulate the work piece.

In the US they usually list the swing before the distance between centers. A
36x9 would be a 36" swing with 9" between centers, so it safe to assume your
example in (B) is the opposite. A 9" swing, with 36" between centers. A
common size for a smaller machine.

The swing indicates the maximum diameter you can spin or "swing" in the
chuck. However, they are usually rated at the chuck. You have an "apron"
that holds your cutting tool on a metal lathe, and the swing is always
reduced by the apron. So the swing of a 9" lathe, on a long enough work
piece to require the "tail stock", would usually be about 5".

"DanO" luv2^fly99@cox.^net wrote in message
...

"jan olieslagers" wrote in message
...
The recent thread about lathes and related machinery leaves me at a loss
with the terminology, me not being a native English speaker.

A) I think I can imagine a lathe, if I understand correctly it is called
a "tour" in French and a "draaibank" in my native Dutch. That means,
the piece of stock you are going to work on is clamped between two
centerpoints, the machine makes it turn, then you press a tool somewhere
and it cuts a circular groove. Right so far?

B) If correct on A, how to understand the dimensions? Perhaps a 36x9"
lathe has 36" between centers, and 9" is the max. diameter of basic
stock?

C) if we're done about the lathe, what is a mill (in this context)?
Google wasn't too helpful on this one, given windmills and what not.

Excuse my lack of English profiency, thanks in advance!

On a lathe, you rotate the work piece and manipulate the cutter.
On a mill, you rotate the cutter, and manipulate the work piece.

In the US they usually list the swing before the distance between centers.
A 36x9 would be a 36" swing with 9" between centers, so it safe to assume
your example in (B) is the opposite. A 9" swing, with 36" between centers.
A common size for a smaller machine.

The swing indicates the maximum diameter you can spin or "swing" in the
chuck. However, they are usually rated at the chuck. You have an "apron"
that holds your cutting tool on a metal lathe, and the swing is always
reduced by the apron. So the swing of a 9" lathe, on a long enough work
piece to require the "tail stock", would usually be about 5".

Hmm, back when I was using these things, the "swing" was the largest RADIUS
that could clear the apron and bed, not the largest diameter. So a 9" lathe
could turn an 18" diameter part. That didn't neccessarilly mean that the
tool post could be used to its full extent.

BTW, what's a good used 9x36 lathe go for these days?

"Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote in message
. ..


Hmm, back when I was using these things, the "swing" was the largest
RADIUS that could clear the apron and bed, not the largest diameter. So a
9" lathe could turn an 18" diameter part. That didn't neccessarilly mean
that the tool post could be used to its full extent.

Some brands or other countries might I suppose, but I have always seen them
advertised the opposite.


BTW, what's a good used 9x36 lathe go for these days?

Gosh, that would depend entirely on brand, age and condition. I sold a 9x24
South Bend for $900 about three years ago. New 10" import machines start at
about $1200 to $1500.

"Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote in message
. ..



Hmm, back when I was using these things, the "swing" was the largest
RADIUS that could clear the apron and bed, not the largest diameter. So a
9" lathe could turn an 18" diameter part. That didn't neccessarilly mean
that the tool post could be used to its full extent.

BTW, what's a good used 9x36 lathe go for these days?



I don't know that I would recommend any of these, but here are some
references.

http://www.wttool.com/category-exec/...hes/page_num/1