Building a lathe from industrial scrap

[@akinma]

Being a mechanical engineer isn't about diplomas, it's a state of mind and, you sir have that state of mind. Impressive work.

[@miguelcastaneda7236]

actually a artists eye we had a guy who was a opearator but would fill in when tool maker was gone..he hated it but we noticed his tooling had better clearances and overall looked better

[@computername]

What's this education bashing all the time? An engineering degree is just a tool like any other, it doesn't hurt to have it.

[@markharris5771]

I forget if it was when my brother was doing his master's degree, or when he was doing his PhD, but whichever he was sent an a placement to a small engineering firm. As tradesmen do in the eternal trade v academia fight, they set him about doing some work for the sake of taking the p*** out of him. This was a particularly difficult job they had been struggling to do. It was only when Eddie returned a couple of hours later, job completed to perfection, he told them that he was a time served fitter and turner. He had in fact been the apprentice of the year at a very large company at that time. Besides now being a university lecturer Eddie still works as a consultant for the company he was sent to amongst others. They now acknowledge that Eddie's knowledge, usually out of reach of smaller companies, has helped keep them in business in tough times. In fact some of the work they are now capable of making has enabled them to grow. All three of us, my siblings and myself, have both a trade and at least one degree. I have the least academic training with just a law degree, prior to taking it I was a chef with my own successful catering business. Of course academic and trade qualifications are different, but one isn’t superior to the other and both are needed. I do think here in the U.K. we have lost sight of how important trade qualifications are. When I left school in '76 leaving school to go into an apprenticeship was an achievement to be proud of. Somehow that’s been lost, which I think is very sad. I watch what some people achieve in this type of video and I'm totally in awe of the creator. That is for the craftsmanship, but also for the knowledge that goes into creating a machine like this.

[@akinma]

@@computername The degree doesn't make you an engineer. I know a lot of "engineers" with a degree, that just lack the way of thinking for an engineer. And I myself do have a mechanical engineer's degree. Things done on this video are beyond stuff many "engineers" with a degree can perform. Most notable the careful planning and thinking through of various variables and understanding how this would affect that - causation. A degree doesn't make you anything if you already don't have that something in you, it just makes it official.

[@akinma]

@@markharris5771 This is what I think too. In my country it's also very important to have the paper, the degree, to get a job. Otherwise you will be overlooked for. But, problem is, real talent is lost in the making, cos there might be a lot more competent people out there for the EXACT job, but for a reason or another they just don't have a degree and in most cases they don't even want to bother for one also for various reasons. Schools are not for everyone and that doesn't mean they are less competent or intelligent. Master - apprentice structure would still be very potent for various fields of professions. Not all, but still many. There are various levels of engineering for example and for some this would work well and for some not as well. Problem in today's world is we want to standardize everything and it doesn't work on craftmanship. Sorry, English is not my mothertongue. Hopefully the message carries out.

[@МихаилАлександрвич]

"140mm chuck was founded on the scrapyard"... Nice. Nice scrapyard.

[@pcbondart]

no scrapyard, try ebay!

[@ابوعمار-ج2و]

الترجمه للعربيه

[@МихаилАлександрвич]

@@ابوعمار-ج2و рпомгспрнрото пппьимлддддл

[@saravana009bb]

If you are aware of machinebuilding industries near you, then you could go and check with them to find a suitable scrap pieces for your needs. Am i right @Rolandvanroy

[@Danbatio]

I want to live near this guy. The scrapyards in my city are pure crap.

[@robertburns2415]

I've been a machinist for 40+ years this is a stroke of Genius. My congratulations to you sir.

[@kevinm3751]

Was thinking the exact same thing! Amazing what someone with a little imagination and the right scraps can do!

[@robertburns2415]

@@kevinm3751 absolutely correct

[@mftmachining]

same here...top

[@feikotemme8736]

Robert Burns Same,35 years.It is indeed a masterpiece.I'd favour the one he built from 'scrap' over some Chinese 'crap' anytime .

[@Buskyb]

Robert Burns his machine looks bether than moste store brougth desktop lathes

[@scottmartin7717]

This is simply astounding. I'm almost at a loss for words after watching ... That's how much I love what you have created here my dude. No hyperbole, this is one of those rare, 10/10 build videos on YT that give a magical dose of inspiration. Kudos to you sir

[@codebeat4192]

The caliper add-on and the lamels protection plate is really brilliant, love it! Great work, very talented in all kind of areas.

[@HansMouthaan]

Never seen a hobbyist act like a engineer, in my believe your a real engineer, I very much respect your work.

[@nicholasjacob3594]

Love how you used the digital calipers as a dro scale

[@michaelallen1432]

A nice thing about those calipers that are used for position feedback is that most of them have a digital output. "Digital scales" which are like calipers, but are made for them purpose are used in DROs. The calipers readouts are probably good enough for that, but the output could be used for closed loop control if you want to add cnc control. I like how the linear bearings are used for the precision ways.

[@hdl4259]

I agree, to buy a lathe is very easy, but to build your customize lathe is much more better. I bought a mini lathe in your size and modified it to my purposes and now it works very well. I think with your skills and your fantastic scrapyard you can do many interesting projects. Thanks a lot to let us join your project.

[@tomharrell1954]

Your lathe is much more powerful than the ones from China! Probably bigger too. Probably more accurate!

[@ddjohnson9717]

no shit. you get what you paid for.....

[@ciprianpopa1503]

No kidding. Bigger?! How do you figure?

[@danneumann3274]

@@ciprianpopa1503 thats what she said

[@davidmarkwood7314]

well my friend ive got to say this is the best diy build ive watched on you tube. 10/10 and a gold star*

[@januarioqueiroz3122]

I completely agree with you! I had never seen something so pleasan to be watched!

[@foomanchewthis]

What David said... Best DIY build on KZbin!

[@davidmarkwood7314]

@@januarioqueiroz3122 what more could we say. amazing job and thank you

[@emonsahariar9292]

To the Random lower-income countryman: Yes, Here you can see at least $2000 worth of machine parts. And some of these are really made from scrap, as some parts don't need precision. But, don't let it fool you. Lathes can't be made from scraps by any means. Just the threaded rods, gears and the bearings can bring your budget on it's knees. High-income nation folks own infinite amount of drill press, angle grinder, welder, supplies and what not, just for their garage works. You will build it one day too. Just shop wisely and focus on your savings. And don't forget to Check Concrete Lathe, Gingery lathe and Multimachine-type designs. You can save money making those machines, but those machines will only give you the standing space to make a real lathe.

[@johndooley8837]

Very impressive, you make it look easy, what you did was not easy. For me it was a great experience to look over the shoulder of such a skilled craftsman as yourself. Thanks.

[@nekruz2631]

believe me.....you are better than 70% of the engineers around the world,,any diy build is all about integrating the perfect parts

[@nickmajdanski]

This guy!!! I'm speechless. That was one of the coolest things I've seen on YT.

[@backpages1]

It takes a special kind of person to design and build a machine that can build other machines, from odds and ends. Bravo, sir… Bravo.

[@jmiddlefinger]

I am very impressed by your build. I am particularly impressed with the way you built the tailstock. I don't know that I would've ever thought to construct it in such a way, to be honest. I may have been too bound to the idea of a round quill and a morse taper to have ever visualized the way you built it. The digital calipers as scales are also an incredible feature. I have a WWII era lathe, so my big project is going to be a milling machine. Seeing what you've accomplished here has given me a lot of ideas!

[@thehumbledabbler]

This is WHY it's good to narrate these videos. If this was one of those silent "hey look what I can do" videos, so much of this valuable info would be unavailable to us who are actually looking for instruction to build something.. I.e. The holes being drilled slightly larger to allow for adjustment to get the plates exactly 90 degrees and parallel. Thank you for this and I'm going to checkout your other videos. So much more helpful than silent videos.

[@glenns5627]

Clear, concise, perfectly paced explanation of a great design! Gets my vote for Best DIY lathe vid.

[@mikenotsue]

Absolutely brilliant. I first looked at getting a mini lathe when the price tag still read $250 and now they're as you said, closer to $800. I never could justify the money to be spent at any point between then and now. Maybe now I could but because of the lack of justification over the years, I turned my approach to building my own, which of course didn't happen ... YET! Hahaha. Seeing your accomplishment here is definitely a boost on inspiration and revives the dream of getting it done. And then on to the mill! Ok. One step at a time. Thank you for sharing this with me and all of us. Building it yourself is definitely way more fun and rewarding! Such initiative and determined spirit is sorely lacking these days and seeing this and similar is a breath of fresh air and even if it sounds corny, a renewed hope is our survival.

[@DjRjSolarStar]

Very impressive work, and I thought converting my Grizzly mini mill to a lathe was quite a challenge. We need more innovators like you on Earth. Please keep spreading your knowledge and teaching the next generation.

[@juhavauhkonen8853]

Nice video. Awesome diy lathe. Congrats to you sir. No stupid music. Only a clear well made diy video. Wish all diy vids were like this.

[@MrMikedejeuner]

Here I am, struggling to assemble my lathe and you just made one nearly from scratch, genius work man

[@uddipanmedhi2618]

''DUILDING SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF IS MUCH MORE FUN".. that is absolutely correct. I enjoyed every moment of the video.

[@danielmiller2886]

This is such a beautiful home build with brilliant simplicity, that I am moved to tears. I would love to work with someone like because I believe I could learn so much about your detailed precision processes.

[@calicolombia1004]

Yes, me too

[@rizwanshaikh5472]

I'm a Maintenance Engineer but love working on Lathes. I found this video so satisfying and informative that made me watch the whole video. . .

[@fredericrike5974]

FWIW, lathes have been made from many "available" things since the Roman Empire days. The first, to no surprise were made from wood, to turn load bearing posts, axles, truing long timbers for siege engines- the last only shows that all technologies are quickly explored by man for military uses. Much later, metal lathes were built- some of them still exist today and you might be hard pressed to see the modern tool in them. But lathes shape materials that today and the future were built on. In the lead up to WW1, huge lathes were made using concret to make the basis for the engine tower and ways- metal used only for shafts, way surfaces and the like; these lathes were also military tools; making the large diameter brass shells for naval cannons was perfected on these machines. I was pleasantly surprised that "high tech junk" would get you there- I really shouldn't have been! Thank you for a wonderful presentation!

[@philippe5394]

It has been a real pleasure to follow the progress of the project. What a wonderful result obtained with simple tools. As you said, building something by yourself is much more fun.

[@engineeramitbhaskar4121]

I like your digital caliper idea and way of accuracy alignment 🙏🙏

[@GeoffTV2]

The large spindle bore size on this small machine is a huge plus point. The tiny one on the Myford ML7 is the one thing I hate about my lathe. What a great job you made of this project, thanks for sharing.

[@YbborNetsrek]

Great Project. Did you know you can read out those calipers with an arduino? That opens up a few possibilities.

[@CarbonGlassMan]

What do you mean? You can use an arduino for the scales?

[@jcota2003]

@@CarbonGlassMan He means that it's possible to make a poor man's DRO with all the values on a single display rather than 3 individual displays.

[@YbborNetsrek]

@@CarbonGlassMan Those (cheap) calipers have a opening where you can attach a micro controller and read the data. Example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHrXYWt9f61lf6M

[@johnbondza]

@@jcota2003 Yup - and lots lots more. - 4 reasonable NEMA32 stepper motors makes a poor man's NC lathe - A CNC control board and you have a poor man's CNC lathe - AThe Rob pointed out, the limit is your imagination

[@DjRjSolarStar]

Think you could use an arduino to read the calipers and put the data as a feedback loop into a PC based CNC program? That way they would act like glass scales.

[@dominikhofmann603]

Using the Calipers as a digital read out is genius !!!!! Thank you very much for making this video

[@eliduttman315]

From start to finish, this is a VERY impressive project. Indeed, well done!!

[@VicTruter]

This is one of the best diy lathe builts I have ever seen.

[@vksubra1953]

That's a really great build. I learnt a lot along the way. Thank you for sharing

[@humblehombre9904]

Learnt? Learned. Now you learnt something.

[@vksubra1953]

@@humblehombre9904 I think you should stick to being a Humblehombre.

[@gracielaburgio8659]

You don't have a mechanical engineer diploma, but you have his soul. Impressive. Congratulations.

[@aallii86]

Amazing work, best diy lathe seen so far

[@cemileri738]

All the inventions that changed the world was born from impossibilities.Excellent work..Congratulations.

[@mumblbeebee6546]

Roland, this is an amazing achievement, and the re-use of material is wonderful! Congratulations, and long may you two work together :)

[@nicolafabris6913]

Roland...you are GREAT !!! Your hand are in a boundle with a clever mind. Many thanks for your kind sharing.

[@nstark3944]

This is so amazing! Thank you for the in depth video and fantastic editing and narration. Keep it up.

[@sibalogh]

Your dexterity is way beyond many of ours. Whether you are a qualified tradesman or not it doesn't seem to matter as most people may only have just one. YOU PROVED WHAT MANY CANNOT EVEN DREAM ABOUT. BTW, I ENVY YOU LIVING NEAR SUCH A GOOD SCRAPYARD THOUGH.

[@Auguste88]

Very inspiring work, I appreciate the way you approached all aspects of this project.

[@HuygensOptics]

Great design and beautifully made video. Personally I would be a bit worried about using these linear slides since when metal particles get into the bearings, they might stop functioning. Did you have any problems with that?

[@Rolandvanroy]

The folding sheets keep most metal particles away from the slides. The roller bearing blocks have dust caps as well. Most critical are the spindle bearings, you can't have any metal chips in there.

[@Jped277]

Harmonica? Do you mean accordion?

[@az113]

Also bellows, you know

[@Mertyy3]

Sir, You are genious! The way how you described the way you built it is perfect and deserve 10/10. You designed it and build on your own, so its 11/10. From local trash scraps... WOW!

[@redoumohito7129]

*Excellent work and a genius man Congratulations to you sir* 👍👏

[@your_utube]

You sir are the reason everyone needs to get KZbin and be inspired by real genius and a sense of dare. I admire you. It must have been great fun!

[@feelthepayne88]

Build your own lathe from a pile of junk: Step 1: be a genius.

[@anohaont]

"With a box of SCRAPS!" (c)

[@freeliving.vivrelibre.]

I really can't say that building a lathe this way is making it from 'scratch' or even scrap. All these parts were fine!

[@Dave5843-d9m]

Metals stockholders usually have all sorts of stuff on their offcuts bins. You might need to wait for the right stuff to appear. Where I live the boat builders have all sorts of steel offcuts 6mm to 12mm or more. But they are usually mill finish so would need work to smooth and parallel the opposite faces. The local scrapyard is not much help as they have stopped all scrap sales to general public due to covid.

[@nc6379]

It's not just intelligence, it's about being incredibly methodical.

[@jano8257]

Sir,no words to explain how impressed I am.Thank you for sharing your skills and knowledge.

[@marlonglodo1930]

Big and great project.. congrats sir... i love to have one also..

[@worlddomin623]

Not an engineer!? This is better and more detailed work than what many degreed career "engineers" will ever do. Nice job with the electrical work too.

[@MrHondata2000]

21 dislikes from Lathe constructors...

[@africanelectron751]

Big lathe......out to keep the little man down.

[@marcelorondan2525]

Idiots brainless.

[@czechgop7631]

times 10 xD

[@alanharding8762]

there is always a huge knob

[@theobolt250]

Ahww, yealousy. Isn't that just nice? Hmmm, that pure envy. Love it! 😂😘😉

[@MacClay8]

I was going to say "This guy's scrap is much different than the scrap I get", and then he acknowledges it immediately. This is really impressive!

[@blackbook0]

Amazing, 😯it’s Big Project 📈, you are Professional many 🎖👍

[@lyteyearz5810]

Finally a lathe diy without welded pieces. That alone is worth a sub!

[@suddencucumber5994]

me after cleaning the tea from the keyboard and the monitor: *a scrap yard with guide rails?*

[@lyteyearz5810]

Instantly throws keyboard Lmaooooo

[@dontnubblemebro]

I've found that sort of thing at my local junkyard/weird stuff getting place. You want the secondhand dealers that buy job lots from a city, that's where you find the good stuff.

[@DatBoiOrly]

My lathe is missing quite a few parts I'm going to make the same parts as you did and make them fit thanks for the info!

[@BadGuyDennis]

The use of digital caliper in such way and the ideas of that bellows curtains were very well thought! Nice job!

[@Super_Natural_Power]

When the scene of motor controller unit came in...i know u are not ordinary guy !! U must be a MASTER of electronics and King of engineer!! Salute you Sir !

[@theobolt250]

Also your voice over. Just like those technical instruction videos of yesteryear. Just perfect!

[@jimanderson699]

Who cares how much a new lathe costs !! Yours is much nicer and it's much more fun building your own. I really like the harmonica covers , excellent idea to keep debris off of the turning screws. VERY nice work Sir.

[@mijodo2008]

Excellent work, from a first-class Artisan. Well done. I did my time as a Fitter Machinist and Tool Maker. Top Job Mate. Cheers from Michael. Australia.

[@Ирбит-м8ф]

Вот это нормальный станок, грамотно собран, по всем законам станкостроения. На нормальных направляющих и ШВП. Автору респект 👍👍👍

[@Cheezeball99999]

I have been wanting to build a benchtop Yeomans-style cement bed lathe, and I've learned some things here which will surely help me. This is genius.

[@mostwanted33986]

Simply you are a legend ! This is the kind of videos that should get a 100 million views. Hats off to you sir

[@bkailua1224]

Having any lathe is much better than having no lathe. If it turns metal it is a "real" lathe. Looks like a nice machine, great video. :)

[@hoppie538]

Nou dan ik maar lekker in de moeder taal. Zeer mooi en indrukwekkend project. Keek met veel aandacht naar je werkstuk. Heb me geen seconde verveelt.

[@krislton]

It looks like a great little lathe for the home workshop. Superb work! Your video showed some good engineering practices and was well narrated. It's obvious that your lathe and video was intended for the hobbyist/home machinist, but as you stated - you "learnt a lot from the process". Besides, it's always more fulfilling when designing and manufacturing your own components/tools. By repurposing parts that would have probably have just been wasted otherwise also added another dimension to your skills. It was a pleasure watching your video, so thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@Rolandvanroy]

Thanks!

[@joserios4062]

Wow !! That is one unique scrapyard you go to , the ones around where I live are full of lawnmowers and refrigerators ; nice machine !!

[@TheWadetube]

Good Job, I am glad you narrated the whole thing. A lot of DIY videos come out of indonesia or the Philippines and they just POINT at what they are doing like that is an explanation of purpose or function. I like the size and mobility of this design and I think it would serve me well.

[@tony49PA]

Il tuo impegno nella costruzione del tornio è ammirevole.Bravo. Tuttavia la struttura, per quanto ben assemblata e abbastanza precisa, non ha la necessaria rigidezza per lavorare metalli ferrosi.

[@khalilalhawajreh5790]

REALLY? I LIKED WHAT YOU DID WITH THIS SCRAP YOU OPENED A BIG DOOR IN MY BRAIN. NICE JOB AND PRETTY ART

[@104littleal6]

Super job! One thing though. I'm watching you install tapered bearings unpacked, without any kind of lubricant.

[@joferbrasil]

I've seen dozens of homemade lathes. Your project is just amazing. Congratulations.

[@dennissheridan8836]

Very nicely done, a great looking machine. I think you mean accordion instead of harmonica for your chip guards.

[@westfishos4276]

roland well done mate. it's amazing what people can do today with a bit of energy, forethought and resourcefulness. you've done a great job here. i'm envious....rgds Westfishos Australia

[@TheBipolarBear]

This was most impressive to watch. Thank you for sharing your project with us!

[@bobsradio6025]

I have been wondering how to put a lead screw and carriage on my wood lathe so I could turn perfect cylinders, now I know. Thank you. When I first got into pen turning, I used my metal lathe, and the wood chips went EVERYWHERE. A cheap wood lathe seemed like the solution, and the lead screw and carriage make it the complete solution.

[@chummaker1]

WOW! A couple of questions....did you plan the entire construction or did you wing it?? Where did the programing, electronics, machine, component and mechanical knowledge come from if you are not an engineer?

[@Rolandvanroy]

The idea for this design came slowly together when I stripped the pick&place machine on the scrap yard. I'm an electrical engineer, so I'm more familiar with electronics. But I have been tinkering with mechanics all my life as well, so at a certain point experience helps a lot in designing stuff. For other projects, you can check www.simprojects.nl/diy_motion_platform_iv.htm and www.simprojects.nl/diy_motion_platform_v.htm

[@gultekinkagan240]

It was a very good work. It would be nice if there were technical drawings or dimensions for the construction of the lathe.

[@garul1669]

congratulations, your lathe is undoubtedly a true work of art. I have seen many videos on how to build a lathe, but his project is really the most elegant. I would buy his lathe immediately

[@5463280]

I really liked your simple solutions. I was planning to build a lathe pretty much similar to yours. I got a lot of bright idea from your video.

[@ahmedpainter3404]

Good job But it is limited to small and inaccurate businesses. And it's priced in the market less than it cost.

[@donnarichardstevens3163]

One of the best things I have ever seen on KZbin. This man is a wizard.

[@mikemullenix6956]

You must be a genius! Something like that takes an enormous amount of skill

[@greasysteve5671]

Ive got an old Oliver lathe that the headstock is completely shot on and I want to build it from the ways up for metalwork. Unfortunately we dont have any industrial scrapyards around where im at.

[@sssteve5430]

You did a great job on building this lathe with great precision. I like your speed control.

[@LetsRogerThat]

Wow. Finally an awesome video on how to make a high quality lathe. Thank you very much.

[@BloodThunda]

Now you know what we expect next right? We want to see you build a bigger, stronger lathe with a gearbox and feeding capability for cutting thread. Good work, I like the digital calipers for read outs idea a lot.

[@foomanchewthis]

"Still I'm quite happy with the end result" -- As well you should be! I'm blown away with what you did! Wow! I have a small lathe/mill combo and I plan to use some of your ideas to enhance it _and_ to build a CNC for woodworking. Thank you so much for sharing your work!

[@TwoDogsFighting]

Absolute genius. Have you considered wiring those calipers up to a more permament pwoer source? I've found they tend to munch batteries.

[@crushboss]

Just a tip for you, I used to build 100 meter boats for a living. The best fluid to use for cutting Aluminium is Methylated Spirits. Great videos by the way, keep up the good work.

[@iye2008]

Truly a great video Sir! You've done a great job! I especially liked your idea for protecting the linear rails! That's ingenious! I think I would use the same idea in many other ways in my workshop. Thanks a lot! Lastly, I will try to build my own lathe too! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheGuigui68]

Very nice work, this lathe is obviously much better than what you can buy for 800€, totally worth it!

[@esperesper6652]

they say: If you work with your hands, you are a worker If you work with your hands and your brain, you are a maker And if you work with your hands, brain and heart, you are an artist. How I wish in my life to own a small lathe like this Greetings from Algeria.

[@DancerOfClouds]

Well done. I have always wanted a lathe and your design was simple but ingenius all the same.

[@escapingfromoz5643]

I really liked the digital caliber idea that was really cool

[@mazeltov295]

YOU SIR, are.... BRILLIANT !!. never seen someone uses Digital Calipers as a scale for z and x axis !!!.

[@Dave5843-d9m]

I have a very old Iathe but its getting worn in too many areas. I love this design and how you solved the problems without castings or machine tools. Ind may well have a go myself. With some thought a milling head could be added. A home made dividing head for gear cutting might be a bit too much.

[@Rolandvanroy]

David Elliott : funny, I’m just finalizing the mill head addition, and also working on a digital dividing head for gear cutting.

[@AccidentalScience]

Beautiful work. I am making a small lathe too, but eventually I preferred to use sliding ways. Also quite an amazing scrap yard you get access to! I'd like to have one here where I live. Cheers from the Alps

[@MagnusNemo-xc5nx]

Why traditional sliding ways over linear rails? The acme lead screws with linear rails seems like a very elegant solution for manual analog control of the machine.

[@AccidentalScience]

@@MagnusNemo-xc5nx in my opinion sliding ways offer more rigidity. I'm aware that many commercial lathes have linear rails but I think it's too complex for a diy lathe. Too long to explain here why, I should make a video for it.

[@MagnusNemo-xc5nx]

@@AccidentalScience That would make for interesting content. You should make a comparison video and analyize both rail types with real measurements. I'm sure it would get a lot of views.