Re: why so few cnc lathe conversions?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <ka1bbg@w...> wrote:

> being harder since the space under the compound is smaller, and the

compound

> is already "thin" to begin with. then finding a good place for the

long

> ballscrew can also be a problem, no space between carriage ways and

frame on

> many of the newer lathes. a good turret lathe would make a nice cnc

machine

> but used prices are high and again space limited for motors and

ballscrews.

> a good cnc lathe is a pleasure to watch it do a radius right into a

thread,

> then chamfer the end all in a few seconds. cul brian f.

My 12 X 36 lathe exhibits some of the challenges as listed above but
what I find for myself is that I am normally making one of a kind
type things on the lathe and they are all round (duh) so I don't have
to have a lot of two hand coordination to make a part. The mill on
the other hand makes a better candidate since turning out an
precision odd-shaped part is more difficult. Try cutting an S shaped
curve on a mill using the handwheels and multiple passes and you will
quickly start to long for computer control.

Just my theory of course. I think a lot of us build our machines to
make things to "show" to other people. While a fellow HSM might ooh
and ahh over your precision cut shaft, complete with threaded ends
and bearing shoulders, the little lady will be more impressed if you
engrave her name in metal or wood; a project hard to do on a lathe!

All that being said, I plan on someday CNC'n the lathe just because I
can.:-)