Re: Lathes for retrofit

> David,
>
> Snips, inserts below:
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Frantz"
> <wizard@e...> wrote:
> >As far as actual conversion what advantages foes the Lathemaster
> >lathe provide over the others? It does seem to be difficult to
> >get comments form people concerning the Lathemaster lathe. The
> >are always plenty of comments on how to get the HF and Grizzley
> >lathes running but very little on the Lathemaster.
>
> The chief advantage of the lathemaster for CNC is what I mentioned;
> there is less stuff to remove and/or work around to complete the
> conversion. The reason there is not much about it on my 9x20Lathe
> group is that for manual use, the "std" 9x20's are far superior,
> except for a steel only shop where the lower speed at teh bottom

> is appreciated. Less so with modern tooling...
>
> Which brings me to the next consideration for a CNC conversion, the
> drive train of a CNC lathe is likely going to be an upgrade to a

> A lathemaster has spindle gears which may allow for more

> when using a cheap VFD setup (I'm not a fan of cheap Import gear
> trains, so I'd just drive it direct.) But again , the Lathemaster

> less "junk" in the way to remove(Can we just call it a Bv20 style?
> The "lathemaster" is just a popular version OF the Bv20.)
>
>
> >It is interesting your comments on the manual aspects of the
> >Grizzley, HF and similar lathes. That is all well and good but

> >you really want flexibility, even for manual operations, the
> >rational thing to do would be to motorize those axis. Hardinge
> >has been doing this for just about forever on their tool room
> >lathes, unfortunately not direct drive but very flexible none the
> >less.
>
> You're preaching to the choir here<G> My 9x20Lathe group is the
> opposite of here; nearly entirely manual users, so we tend to stay
> OFF the subject of CNC, the same way here we stay OFF the subject

> manual machining... (Personally, I like and use both manual and

> but not on the same machine! I still think preserving the

> on a CNC retrofit is a poor choice.)
>
> > Thanks
> > Dave
>
> You're welcome.
>
> Ballendo