I used a mini lathe to make my own nuts and bolts. Here's how it went

[@northshorepx]

Great to see someone showing their errors and the journey to success! Thanks for the great video.

[@AndrewReuter]

Plenty of that excitement on this one! 😆 Thank you!

[@DonylynKnives]

I recently picked up a mini lathe to tinker around on, and this video cleared up a lot of the mystery surrounding it! I'm so excited to jump in and start making stuff!! Thanks for showing your process, mistakes and all! So helpful!

[@AndrewReuter]

Great to hear! Good luck with your lathe! And great channel BTW!

[@GenScinmore]

Wow this is top quality content, you deserve waay more subs

[@Roll-UpRainer1510]

Thats a great journey with you till the final results. Hope you maybe do some more projects on the lathe and keep us updated. Greetings from West-Germany

[@AndrewReuter]

Thanks as always! Will definitely be more on the lathe in the future. Take care!

[@starforged]

Very good honest and informative video. Thank you for sharing.

[@dirtrida274]

Can’t wait for the mill video. I use the lathe for handgun barrels and threading. The mill will be nice for handgun slides and optic mounts.

[@alans7321]

Andy, another great video. Love the humor. Keep it up!

[@freon500]

Thank you Andrew Reuter for all the good work on this video: informative and honest and entertaining. I'm living in Puerto Rico doing some construction and I'm thinking of getting some kind of machine to make the odd bolt or even a part which I sometimes find hard to find here.

[@TigerCarpenter]

thanks for sharing your learning experience. I'm waiting for my 1st lathe to arrive, and I'm trying to absorb as much information beforehand, to have the rough idea what I can expect. looks like the lathe was a very good idea for me to get before the mill.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you! Congrats on the lathe purchase! After using both the lathe and the mill, I'll agree, lathe is waaaaaay better to start with. Feels like the mill shouldn't be that much harder, but wow, all those extra axes really put my brain into loops. Was legit hard to keep track of all of it. Still fun, but way more enjoyable to get introduced to machining with fewer axes. Anyway, good luck! I'll check out your videos!

[@TigerCarpenter]

@@AndrewReuter cheers man!

[@vonfelam]

One of your best videos yet. Keep up the good work.

[@carnright]

Me too! I trained for nine weeks to start a Career as a machinist and was put on a chop saw then a CNC metal lathe

[@theopiner402]

Good point at the end there! Negative talk about our current world abounds, but we are truly blessed to be alive during these times. If we all had that mindset things just might be better overall.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you! Well said!

[@davidwillard7334]

TOMMORIW !! PEOPLE !! WILL !! LAST !! LONGER !! THAN !! YOU !! EVER !! WILL !!!

[@michaelbigatti7043]

Really enjoyed the video. Subscribed!

[@AndrewReuter]

Glad to hear it! And thank you very much!

[@JohnHoranzy]

Excellent review. Thank You. Parting is always troublesome. Eastwood seems to have the best price for this lathe right now especially if its good to go without rebuilding it like some unknown importers.

[@davidwillard7334]

ONLY !! FOR !! AMATEURS !!

[@tomt9543]

Don’t be fooled! They all come out of the same factory (Sieg) in China!

[@wyatt9k551]

Just found this video, liked it a lot. I thought you were going to try to single point thread it at first. I bought a Grizzly 7x12 about 15 years ago and it is a very useful tool when u need it. Subscribed

[@anthonymarino4260]

learned. a lot keep them coming

[@thomasdiamond9458]

Pick up a copy of How To Run A Lathe by Southbend Lathe, when I was in trade school the instructor stressed that if you followed that book you would become a frist rate lathe operator, it worked for me. The mini lathe will do most small jobs, and I used my small lathe more than my large one,

[@dougtenney1029]

Nice work, Andrew! Thanks.

[@garageshopminnesota]

Another great video, Andy.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you, Jeremy! 👍👍👍

[@arrlmember]

With a background and career in accounting, I DO NOT have prior experience with machine tools. Therefore my purchase of a mini lathe began with lots of study and learning. It paid off. I bough a 7x16 Micro Mark brushless DC motor mini lathe. My studies taught me that I needed a quick change tool post and an outboard spider. I had to buy the QCTP, but I made the spider from a 1" black pipe fitting. The spider allows me to use a whole length of round stock and not have a chuck holding piece to throw away after the project is completed. The MM lathe is called a "True Inch" machine and it only lists a few imperial threads that it will cut, no metric threads. However Little Machine Shop has a program on their website that will tell which change gears to use and where to put them for almost any thread. My first project was for a set of stock makers screws for a Mosin Nagant, and they came out perfect. The Mosin uses a very unusual metric thread pitch thread which which is what inspired me to get closer acquainted with my lathe since I could not locate dies for that thread. The only "plans" I needed to make the screws was the screws that hold the trigger guard/floor plate to the action and a set of Mauser 98 stockmakers screws for the handle dimensions. Machining is a great retirement hobby. I very seldom get an opportunity to get to the range, but my machine shop hobby sure helps with my gunsmithing hobby. When people ask me if I would like to do that as as a career, my response is always: "I'm retired."

[@dirtrida274]

I went from too many guns and motorcycles to a wife a house a dog 2 kids in less than a year. I hear you on the I wish there was more time part. Wouldn’t change it for the world, do miss wheelies and drag racing though :)

[@davidwillard7334]

BETTER !! STICK !! TO !! BEING !! AN !! ACCOUNTANT !!!

[@MaximilianonMars]

I appreciate this video, I am very keen to get a minilathe and learn machining. 10:27 is my favourite part, it's like the cutoff part jumps away in spite haha.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you! Good luck to you when you get one! And I know what you mean! 😆

[@ShopperPlug]

He used those welded bolts for mounting the lathe lol Helpful video. Curious to get a mini lathe.

[@craigjohnson6391]

This is a great video. Answered many of my question. Thanks.

[@retrofabrications22]

You can cut the hex in the lathe to make a nice job of it. Mount the bolt length ways in the chuck a just cut 6 faces turning the bolt 60° each time

[@dustinf11]

Could you, in theory, use a mini mill to shave down the tool to the correct height?

[@philiprogers4071]

Before you shape the nut head, run a nut down to the head, nip it tight and there you have a fixed template, shape, then remove nut down the thread.

[@jozefbubez6116]

Unless we heed high-tensile steel, I might suggest a simple way? If we invest in some lengths of studding, we can make bolts anything up to the full length of the studding. I fix nuts onto one end using locking-compound and job done! The home-made nuts I might leave in more detail to another time but drilling and threading steel bar would be one way if we can accept square nuts of a kind? Keep up the good work and if push comes to shove, a lathe is unnecessary!

[@carnright]

Lots of fun to watch! Look forward to more 🙂

[@spudnickuk]

when using your Tap, use the chuck with all the jaws fully open and have it push/feed the back end of the tap onto the work/job. also when parting off and it struggles and stalls, try using it in low gear, as it runs in a high torque, and not to cut fast. and make sure it is square to job. Also when parting off you can have a tube in the tail chuck end, and sleeve it over the thread, and so it keeps hold of it when its parted, and help save damaging thread when it pings onto a sharp edge.

[@johnwright4768]

I agree with the last post, when parting off you must use the lowest speed, and turning tool height must line up with the lathe centre.

[@rjordans]

The tricky part is that not all of these mini lathes have a low gear and their DC motor doesn't really have much power in the low RPM ranges forcing you to run quite a bit faster than you'd like if you don't want it to stall on anything but the lightest of cuts.

[@jamespiambino8404]

I have a harbor freight 7x10 mini lathe and I've found the best way to part is to go a lot slower with the speed and feed slow as well. Also, when parting off everything has to be perfectly square and centered. It took me quite a bit of practice to part off and I'm still not perfect with it. But you did pretty damn good!

[@ericschott5100]

"Look mama!" "mmmmmm..." *eye roll* lol

[@AndrewReuter]

😆

[@lhongkho1091]

Great video. Hoping to see some forging projects.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you! Now that it’s getting chilly here in Wisconsin, I’m hoping to get that forge out again real soon...

[@linzenmeyer]

Haaa.....this was a great video, man. I'm gonna see what else you have.

[@samantharukmalsilva4797]

Thank you so much

[@marcus_w0]

Did you hear me screaming: "You are using the thread-cutter to mill!!!"?

[@anthonymarino4260]

always learning well done

[@rjordans]

That looks like a great start you've made. Lots of things up ahead, so plenty of learning time to come. Try playing around a bit more with ways of adjusting your tool height (stacks of thin sheet can help). Looking at the video my guess is that your cut-off tool was too high which means it's mostly rubbing and not so much cutting. Anyway, I wish you success and happy turning!

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you very much! Looking forward to getting back to the lathe soon. (I actually did cave and buy a quick change tool post after seeing how critical tool height is, especially for the cut off tool...)

[@davidwillard7334]

WHAT !! UTTER !! CRAPS !! THIS !!???

[@tomt9543]

@@AndrewReuter QCTP is a game changer!

[@bdaley1976]

Loved your video, I am sold on getting this lathe. Curious how carbide or hss insert tooling would work, I imagine anything from Kennametal would improve it capabilities. Awesome video thank you

[@mikekerezsi9672]

I just started using a lathe and I have experienced alot of similar problems

[@simonlopes8708]

hi, I'm in school to become a fabricator and I just wanted to let you know on the parting you were going too quick u wanna use it very slowly, touch it just a little bit until u stop seeing fragments coming out, then move it in ever so slightly and repeat

[@davidwillard7334]

HOPELESS !!!

[@a_n_i_m_o_t_i_o_n_s]

I know nothing about this but I was curious to look into metal / wood lathes potentially as a tool for puppet fabrication ( armatures ) and anything really to build things for the set for animation... I'm only just starting out looking for YT vids on what a lathe can do.. but in this context of building bolts and nuts, to stabilise the lathe down onto the worktop, why not just use threaded rods then and cut to size, would have been easier maybe?? but it was an experiment though I guess to see what was involved in making your own nuts and bolts and see what the lathe can do right...

[@dustinf11]

Does the lathe have the ability to cut threads without using the tap?

[@RandomMan1]

It's good to see Quentin Tarantino's gotten into machining.

[@davidconiglio7577]

I do like to buy one and I lot people have opinion that some are terrible.Did you use plastic gears ? on that lathe ?

[@tonycstech]

So you couldn't thread with it ?

[@davidcarbery2388]

Thanks for sharing. If your back hurts, you may want to raise the lathe up a few inches or so.

[@davidwillard7334]

JUST !! LEAVE !! IT !! ON !! THE !! FLOOR !!

[@pleekh]

Hi Andrew, I am restoring an antique fan and missing a round slotted knurled nut. Are you able to help me to make it? Thanks.

[@AndrewReuter]

Hey Pleekh! Feel free to send me an email with photos/links to [e-mail], and we can see if we can figure something out.

[@brianmoore1164]

I have a bench top lathe and a mini mill and they are both excellent. I have run mine hard for years now and they are still excellent. No, they are not 5000 pound industrial machines, but for a guy in his garage they are capable of incredible work.

[@JesseCase]

Haha 😂😂! That "hmmm" from moma after the "look moma" was most definitely not a "hmm this is interesting", it sounded much more like a " hmmm, how much did this thing cost and did he really need it" kind of "hmmm"! 😂😂😂

[@charlessmith833]

Wow! You lived through your learning curve and still have fingers, hands and eyeballs. Try learning like that on a milling machine. I used to work with a guy who lost half of his hand playing around with a milling machine. A lathe can sling a part right in your face. Be careful. Watch lots and lots of videos before starting out with your new lathe. Learn from the idiots and the pros so you can survive your first cuts.

[@davidwillard7334]

PLENTY !! OF !! THEM !! OUT !! THERE !!! BETTER !! KEEP !! THERE !! OTHER !! PART !! FIXED !!! PERMANENTLY !! IN !! THE !! VICE !!!!

[@generalawareness101]

I saw someone say that a lathe is trying its best to kill you so remove everything that would help it achieve its life's work. Treat it with respect, and wear protection (not that kind of sex ed protection). Face shields (not just goggles really) and they do make (my old shop teach from decades ago wore one) an apron like thing that I think would stop a bullet. That apron, and the full face shield, will save your life, or at least a hospital visit most times. Careful with the fingers as gloves are not to be worn when the machine is on.

[@QlueDuPlessis]

You got my sub just for referencing Quinn😁👍

[@hbmike47]

I would have thought that if your project was to make a 6mm screw using a mini lathe that you would be using the lathe to cut the threads? Anyway, suggest you start with hex stock when making nuts.

[@ArtVanAuggie]

Now, assuming you have some "easy duty" use for your bolt, you've done well. However, for high stress applications you will need to maybe use higher spec and even heat treated materials. Start with larger grade 5 to 8 fasteners and cut them down to your size.

[@rodgraff1782]

Running the feed that fast will not provide the finish you want. This is not really a power feed, but is for threading. It can’t be adjusted to go slow enough, and you should never cut feeding with the lead screw.

[@JohnDoe-ls2ww]

Why did you not single point cut the thread?

[@flyback_driver]

Rigidity, rigidity, rigidity.... This will be your constant root of problems with the mini-lathe. I bought a used craftsman 109 lathe which has a 3-5 inch chuck but I upgraded the motor before really knowing what I was doing. Nearly a year into owning it I finally looked into why my parts were let's say out of spec and rigidity. I thought because I wasn't feeling the vibration it wasn't significant but it was. Welcome to the world of precision where that grain of sand you missed is adding a taper to your parts. I ended up making a concrete slab with anchor bolts to mount my lathe and motor, scraped the machine ways, bought new gibs and set screws, and new hardware for anything involving moving parts. It went from a mechanical oscillator to a clean running lathe that slaps cheeks. I'm also looking into epoxy granite based which is the meta for vibration dampening and adding mass but that will be for my shop made lathe I've been working on.

[@JohnDoe-ls2ww]

Incorrect. His taper is from 1 of 3 things, improper bed way alignment (he bolts the bed down and didnt remove the bed way twist, improper tailstock alignment, improper compound slide alignment. These mini lathes work just great within there limits. Precision is not an issue for these machines, which are used by watch makers. Tell me a watch does not require precision.

[@flyback_driver]

Honestly, a hacksaw is the best (but not safe) parting tool. Turn the lathe on slow speed and slowly move the saw forward to clear chips from the teeth. Just you know don't hit the chuck with anything.

[@ajaychabai8106]

And...SUBSCRIBED. I’m debating between this Eastwood lathe and it’s grizzly counterpart.. any advice? Opinion?

[@tomt9543]

I have a Grizzly G0765 and I love it! The sad part is that all these machines, regardless of brand, have had major price increases since covid started! Grizzly and Little Machine Shop (LMS) both stock all the parts for the mini mills and lathes they sell. Other vendors, not so much!

[@MichaelGuziak]

>> OK. VERY GOOD VIDEO.

[@paulbrainard5876]

Lordy! You're a rambler!

[@blazingfiend420]

I'll like the video because it was fun to watch for the most part, but I was expecting a LOT more precision from the thumbnail. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. (I think you had the tools backwards or set wrong with wrong rake angles especially when they jammed and broke during parting)

[@ABB-ow3bs]

why not just use a dye and tap kit ?

[@AndrewReuter]

Another good option, but the lathe does keep things lined up more easily.

[@MichaelGuziak]

>> At time stamp. 10:18. Sceaming sound is generally Too High RPM. Machinst Trick. Hard material like Steel. Is Slower RPM. Aluminum and softer materials are higher RPM's..

[@EystadRacing]

I have a quick question, What drill chuck did you purchase for this lathe? Thanks

[@tomt9543]

Harbor Freight sells one with an MT2 taper shank that works on these mini lathes. The price is right, and I’ve really good service out of them! Little Machine Shop has a lot of options also, but not as cheap. If you have a mini mill or lathe and don’t know about LMS, you’re missing out!

[@markschlechty445]

is it possible to make .17 diameter parts with very consistent results. could it be used to make precision bullets for a rifle as well. They would have to be consistent in weight, length, thickness, etc?

[@davidwillard7334]

CALL !! NINE !! ONE !! ONE !!!

[@mechanicalman1068]

Looks like they should have sent the milling machine with it so you could fix the lathe tool holder faster and more accurately…

[@khg8519]

you break the tool because the swarf has no where to go so jams in the cut try making the cut in steps - cut in out across in again out back to the start cut again making a wider gap

[@xamesm]

You saved $10!

[@daveyjennyville]

great

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you!

[@justaguy4788]

"their take" ? still the same ones coming from the same factory, just different paint and stickers

[@davidwillard7334]

COULDN'T !! AGGREE !! MORE !! THAT !! IS !! WHAT !! PLANET !! CHONGA !! IS !! EXACTLY !! DOING !!!

[@IBFinchie]

Speed control? Never saw you change your speed. Different metals take different speeds. It looks like you had your speed full on not good-dangerous. And Center is another most important for tools. Good job over all.

[@AndrewReuter]

Thank you! I could have done a better job of showing the speed adjustment process. I was experimenting a bit there but generally tried to avoid running it at full bore. Have a good one!

[@davidwillard7334]

HE !! PROBABLY !! HASN'T !! GOT !! ONE !! FOR !! IT !!!

[@IBFinchie]

Still a good job

[@IBFinchie]

I can see now it was your video that was sped up not your lathe me bad. I have not had my mini lathe long so keep up with the videos we all appreciate your hard work lessons learned.

[@davidwillard7334]

@@IBFinchie IF !! IT !! SUCH !!! A !! GREAT !! JOB !? THEN !! LET'S !! SEE !! HIM !! MAKE !! IT !! WITHOUT !!! THE !! DAMM !!! LATHE !!!

[@lightmechanic2370]

Andy, Great vids. You might like This Old Tony if you don't watch his channel already.

[@dougtenney1029]

Oh, I'd guess that he's way ahead of you on that one, lol. No doubt a lot of editing work, but I love the result.

[@simbadlemarin1815]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[@MichaelSmith-go7xq]

Yeah, nah! I'll just wait for the hardware store to open

[@weseehowcommiegoogleis3770]

Nothing more than an Advert!

[@AndrewReuter]

Don't agree. Still happy with how this video came out and appreciate that Eastwood took a chance on the idea, despite me being a small creator. Regardless, best of luck to you!

[@Blakeliveslively]

Son of a bitch thank you for giving me confidence !!!!!!!!!!! I was also discouraged from working with manual controlled machines

[@madhuvara6759]

I think you going too fast for parting

[@davidwillard7334]

NO !! LIGHT !!! SPEED !! FOR !! PARTING !! OFF !!!!

[@xjjtvx2533]

Please for christs sake use coolant next time 🤣🤣

[@donjohnson7899]

Cutting tools are to high +.000- .004

[@jjsemperfi]

I appreciate the video but these little mini lathes look like hot garbage. Nothing against you or your video but this should be a promotional video for how bad these things are.

[@jagboy69]

Give that piece of shit back to Eastwood. It's the same junk harbor freight sells just a different color. If you want a lathe, it just takes effort to find a good one. The name of the game is rigidity and your lathe is on par with a wet chinese noodle. So NO STEEL PARTING WITH IT! I'm new to this stuff myself, but some of what I saw here was scary. I recommend watching Marc at THATLAZYMACHINIST for beginner stuff or Pete (tubelcain) If you're turning tapers, which looks like you are, it's because your tail stock isnt aligned.🙄 On second thought, avoid anything bigger. Your cute kid needs a dad with both arms for hugs. Good luck, you'll be dumping that barbie lathe in 6 months!🥴

[@jagboy69]

And BE CAREFUL!