Thru Spindle or Between Centers

L

LesWard

Guest
My Lathe is an old Sebastian 16 X 60 (very true) so I am looking for imput as to doing barrel work with the above option. Any pros/cons
Just measured the spindle at 27'' long. :confused:I may not have a choice.

Aloha,Les
 
If you do some searching on this forum you will find that folks are using various methods to support the end of the barrel inside the headstock thus allowing them to machine shorter barrels thru the headstock. Today it seems that most want to machine thru the headstock vs between centers. It allows more flexibility in aligning the barrel at the critical points.
 
Les
Do a search on "long headstock" and you'll see how some deal with the headstock length.

Hal
 
I can't do barrel work thru my headstock either so I usually turn and thread in between centers, and then chamber in the steady rest.
 
Les

Years ago, at my shop, we had a Sebastian Lathe, about a 16" inch with about a 5 ft bed. I think it was wore out when we bought it, and never got much better. Sold it as part of an update.

But, in it's younger years it was a fine machine.

What is the diameter of the hole in the spindle. If it is at least 1.5 inches, and runs true with the spindle, then I can tell you how to do barrels exactly the way I do.........jackie,
 
Thanks Jackie,

She measures just 1.45'' . Runs real true on both ends however. As I put brand new bearings front and rear.

Thanks to all who have taken the time to help us less knowledgeable.

Aloha, Les
 
Les

I am more interested in how it runs about 15 to 18 inches up in there.

I know it is difficult to ascertain just what the runnout is up in there, but you can get a good idea. Clean the hole real good, and run thye lathe at about 200 RPM. look through the hole and see if you see any runnout. A trained eye can detect a very small amount if you know what to look for.

Do this, and get back with me. Or do a search, I have expained this in some detail several times on this Forum.

If it is of any comfort, my Pratt & Whitney Tool Room Lathe is way to long to do barrels with a spider. I do have another lathe I could use, but I choose to do barrels in it in this manner because as a Machinist, I believe it to be the best. Of course, this is just my opinion. Anybody that has watched me do a barrel can attest to what I say..........jackie
 
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