Lathes. Classification, technical characteristics of machines

What to pay attention to

You should not buy a machine based on an advertisement if you cannot check the equipment in person. You should check with the seller for the following information:

• The period of use of the equipment and under what conditions it was operated.
• Was the machine repaired before sale? Is there a guarantee?
• How long can you test the machine in operation and return it in case of malfunctions?
• Completeness of equipment, availability of software for CNC.
• Possibility of purchasing spare parts.

Of course, it would be nice to invite a qualified specialist to conduct a thorough technical inspection of the machine, but such services cost a lot.

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Machines of the Triod brand

The machines are distinguished by their versatility. At the same time, it is possible to bore various parts. The voltage of the devices is quite high. Separate mention should be made of management. There are usually 6 speeds for spindle rotation. Quill cones, as a rule, are installed in the MK 2 class. At the same time, the internal cone of the spindle is in the MK 4 series. The maximum diameter for processing parts on machines is no less than 130 mm. In this case, the length of the product is allowed up to 700 mm. The rotation speed limits are quite wide. The mechanism can be accelerated to a maximum of 1600 rpm. The only drawback is the problematic gearbox. In some cases, it may jam, and then the machine has to be sent in for repairs.

Screw cutting machines "Opti"

Screw cutting machines are compact. At the same time, they are capable of performing quite a lot of functions. In general, they have good controls. To achieve this, manufacturers have equipped all models with digital indicators. All this helps to accurately control the operation of the spindle. This mechanism, as a rule, operates on special roller bearings. The spindle has an accuracy class of P5. The beds of screw cutting machines are made of hardened steel, so they are able to withstand heavy loads. The radial runout indicator for many models is not lower than 0.009 mm.

Bearings are installed with increased load capacity. The machines have an emergency stop button. Additionally, there is a longitudinal carriage for more correct operation of the caliper. In general, the processing accuracy is quite high. For human health safety there is a protective screen. It completely covers the entire cutting area. Longitudinal feeding in the devices is carried out automatically. Trapezoidal threads can be made on workpieces. It is also possible to carry out work on metric and inch cutting. The tailstock can be offset if desired. The company's pricing policy is quite soft. Taking this into account, it is possible to choose a cheap screw cutting machine.

Distance between centers and height from center to bed

The distance between centers determines the maximum length of the workpiece that can be machined. For standard work you will need 760 mm - 915 mm. There are machines with longer beds. They seem to be more efficient, but remember, the longer the workpiece, the more likely vibration will occur. It is better not to buy a machine with a large center distance if there is no need for it. The diameter of rotation is important. It is related to the location of the main spindle above the bed and determines the maximum diameter of the workpiece that can be processed if the machine is not equipped with the ability to rotate the headstock. It is recommended that the diameter be at least 230 mm, but in practice, the larger the value, the better.

Not expensive for beginners

There are many cheap lathes on the market, they all look the same and offer a lot of features for the money. This product is suitable to get an idea of ​​what carpentry is. Having worked more and advanced a little in skills, it becomes clear that the functionality is limited. Some options are equipped with a stand and mechanical speed control, but it is worth understanding that there is a relationship between price and quality of components.

Characteristics of the model "Triod TV-16"

This screw-cutting lathe has the following technical characteristics: supply voltage 400 V, power consumption 550 W. In this case, it is possible to connect the model to a generator. The maximum permissible length of the product for processing is 700 mm. In this case, the diameter of the workpiece should be less than 250 mm. The caliper is made of very good quality and allows for good cutting.

The spindle is installed with a diameter of 20 mm. In this case, the internal cone is of class MK 4. The maximum quill can be moved a distance of no more than 60 mm. In first gear, the rotation speed is 115 rpm. The maximum screw-cutting lathe "TV-16" can be accelerated to 1620 rpm. In general, this model has 6 gears. The thread can be cut using metric or inch methods. The height of the screw cutting machine is 1470 mm, width and depth are 560 mm each. The total weight of the device is 140 kg. This model is used for small-scale production.

What is the difference between the Opti 16K20 model?

"Opti 16K20" is a fairly powerful screw-cutting lathe. The characteristics of the feed mechanism depend on the configuration. The height of the machine is 900 mm, width 450 mm, and depth 440 mm. The total weight of the model is 60 kg. The device chuck is classified as a cam chuck. The screw-cutting lathe “16K20” has a positional tool holder. A protective fence is provided in this model. Also worth noting is the convenient chip tray. Additionally, the manufacturers took care of the cartridge casing. The maximum frequency of the device is 60 Hz. In this case, the rated power is 700 W. The maximum diameter of the product is 190 mm. The height of the centers is 100 mm. The average rotation speed is around 500 rpm.

At maximum gear, the 16K20 screw-cutting lathe is capable of accelerating to 3000 rpm. The spindle cone is set to MK 3 series and has a diameter of 30 mm. In this case, the size of the caliper carriage is 55 mm. The tailstock quill is “MK 2” class. The longitudinal feed rate is 0.1 mm per revolution. The height of the cutter is 13 mm. In general, this screw-cutting lathe copes well with cutting cones. For this purpose there is a rotating carriage. Additionally, it is possible to move the tailstock. The frame guides are made of cast iron by the manufacturer. The bearings in the device are metal-ceramic. Thanks to this, high processing accuracy is achieved.

How to do it yourself

You can save on buying a device and make the machine yourself, which will require finding many stainless steel components with a thickness of at least 3 cm (for supporting parts). The main thing is to pay attention to reliability

• Calipers (needed for fastening, moving and fixing);
• Statins (supporting element).

Not everyone can cope with such a task, so it is recommended not to experiment, but to trust trusted manufacturers.

How to choose the right lathe?

This technique is intended for processing round parts made of wood, metal, plastic and other similar materials. Using the machine, you can turn a workpiece or a full-fledged part of a round, conical or cylindrical shape. In addition, the machine allows you to trim and drill holes, and the latter can be done using not only a drill, but also a cutter; threads can be cut on the workpiece with a die or tap.

Lathe for beginners Where to look and which one to choose

Structurally, the machine includes several elements: a bed (all the key parts are attached to it), a spindle (the workpiece is clamped here, rotation is performed, a gearbox and other adjustment mechanisms are located right there), a tailstock (the second end of the workpiece is fixed in it, if it is quite long, they install drills, taps, dies, etc.), a feed box (it transmits all movements from the caliper to the spindle) and a protective apron. Products can be horizontal or vertical. The former are used for processing small and medium-sized workpieces, for thread cutting and other work. Vertical models are used if there is a need to grind large parts that are also short in length.

When we selected products for inclusion in our rating of the best lathes, we took into account all the above points. We tried to include in the review far from the most expensive options so that there would be no significant damage to the budget of our readers. Before including the product in the top 10 best devices of this type, we carefully studied user reviews about it. You definitely won’t find low-quality products in our review.

Screw cutting machines of the "Quantum" brand

Screw cutting machines of this brand are characterized by stepless speed control. Grinding spindles are made of hardened steel. At the same time, the cartridge runout indicators are quite high. Many models have an emergency stop button. There is also an automatic longitudinal transmission. The caliper carriage moves very smoothly. The bearings in the device have an increased load capacity.

The lead screws are installed double. Motors in screw cutting machines are installed in different capacities. At the same time, the rated frequency indicator also changes. The manufacturer provides a protective screen for human safety in all models. It is possible to install a CNC system in screw cutting machines. The frame guides are made of steel. Cartridge casings - with a switch.

Basic elements of a screw cutting machine

The main elements of any screw cutting machine are an electric starting system, a headstock, a support and a powerful bed. It is designed to hold the entire mechanism. Rotational torque is transmitted to the spindle using a lead screw. There is a gearbox to change speeds. To control the process, the mechanism provides levers to change the position of the spindle. Additionally, buttons are installed to control the headstock.

Tabletop or floor installation

For a professional turner, a floor-standing version is necessary, but for a home craftsman, a tabletop model is sufficient. The machine is bolted to any convenient working surface, which must be stationary and securely fixed. The advantage of installing at your own workplace is that you can choose the height of the center. It is desirable that the turning centers and tool holder are at elbow level in height.

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Morse cone

It is important that the product is equipped with a Morse taper in the front and tailstock. This is a universal means of installing turning centers and other tools, and does not limit the use of only original manufacturer accessories. For example, you can install a drill chuck or lathe chuck. There are many Morse taper lathe chucks on the market, so you should not buy a machine exclusively for threaded equipment. Morse tapers come with numbers 1 or 2: the higher the number, the thicker the cone.

What are the disadvantages that accompany the purchase?

A lathe is a technical tool that performs high-speed rotations, has a sharp cutting part, and is therefore dangerous for beginners.

The disadvantages of working on lathes, both old and new, are the following:

• The master must have production and operation skills, know the properties of metals, wood, and all materials so that there is no defect.
• Often, to perform operations, you need to read drawings, understand dimensions, tolerances - this is the only way to achieve high-quality processing.
• A turner must follow safety precautions to protect his health from injury.

Machine maintenance is a labor-intensive activity, where:

• Remove residual accumulations of chips.
• Lubricate the parts that act as guides.
• Replace engine oil.
• Check the electrical wiring to the engine.
• Wipe contaminated areas with a rag.

The disadvantage of old machines is that they must correspond to the times in terms of technical condition, which does not stand still, perfect devices appear, they do not need to be constantly repaired. Used equipment may have severely worn parts, and many replacement parts cannot be found on sale. You will have to make a drawing and contact a turner working on new equipment so that he can turn out a spare part.