Lathe Tips & Tricks

[@austin3538]

You have done some excellent modifications to that lathe great job

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you, I hope some of these tips will help you out! Thanks for watching! Ray C.

[@andrewrees6618]

Very cool stuff brother!

[@Freetheworldnow]

I have to admit how right you are at being organized. Paying attention to small details is a good machinist skill! Thanks for sharing this excellent video!

[@RaysGarage]

Many Thanks Pierre, A little OCD never hurts and am glad you enjoyed the video!

[@AirGunnerrr]

Thank you for sharing... Great Video. 😎

[@clems6989]

All good idea's ! Thanks

[@baggd65]

Great tips Ray. Thanks.

[@RaysGarage]

You bet brother!

[@rayfalcoa1955]

real nice tips,thanks ray see you next time.

[@RaysGarage]

Many Thanks Ray, I hope is going well for you my friend!!!

[@iancraig1951]

Good stuff Ray--I don't think I have ever seen a better set up lathe--you have done really well and keep those videos rolling

[@RaysGarage]

Hi Ian, Thanks, and I hope you find some of these tips useful on your lathe! Thanks for stopping by! Ray

[@YourOldDog]

Been interested in machineing over 40 years as a hobbyist. I find I learn something new damn near everywhere I go on these youtube videos. Thanks for taking the time.

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you, I as well learn something new all the time here on KZbin, thanks for tuning in!

[@adamlaws8448]

I'm a level one general machinist apprentice, and work in a shop primarily all cnc (a lot of button pushing) I'm always ambitious to actually learn some secrets of the trade and further myself. Just wanted to say this video was great, and has awesome ideas and a big thanks!

[@raymuttart5484]

Interesting video , Thanks.

[@ronnierome9165]

Ray, I am new to the hobby. I must say how insructioal your video was. I have watched it several times. I have adopted most of your concepts and have a few more to do. Thanks for taking the time and making the effort. Its people like you who help many others advance in the hobby.

[@ernestsewell1554]

These are some of the BEST Tips and Tricks Thanks!!!!

[@RaysGarage]

Many thanks for your kind words!

[@TheLXKid]

Wow! I never seen a lathe soooo tricked out. I really like the things you've done. Great job! Thanks for sharing!

[@Cleftwynd]

Love watching your videos Ray, keep them coming! Your channel along with Mr Pete, Kieth fenner and a few others are ones I watch regularly.

[@lyndonmansell351]

You are much easier to listen to.

[@1-shotslinger108]

Half these tips I already figured out but the other half were invaluable ! Thanks

[@RaysGarage]

+1-Shot slinger Thanks for tuning in and I am happy to hear some of these tips helped you out! Regards, Ray

[@Jmastffp]

This was really helpful. Thank you

[@RaysGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samykamkar]

Thanks Ray! Awesome stuff

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks Samy, I am glad you like the video!

[@caseysmith1718]

Very helpful video. Unfortunately I can't use a lot of the tricks since my South Bend has about 3 flat surfaces total! But that threading/drilling compound looks very intriguing, will certainly need to try it out!

[@RaysGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rasmillion]

Great stuff. Your lathe is obviously your hot rod all modded up. Love it

[@RaysGarage]

+Ras Thanks Ras, Sorry for the crappy video quality, this was one of my first KZbin videos. Thanks for tuning in and hope you enjoy some of my newer stuff. Best Regards, Ray

[@knikula]

that band saw table was pretty cool....thanks for sharing...

[@jerrywallis599]

Very good tips.

[@RaysGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rayfalcoa1955]

the more i look at your videos the more I enjoy them,,for me its a winter sport,'m always looking at your videos, plus (mr Pete 222) and others till next time

[@RaysGarage]

Hello Ray, Thank you again for your very kind words my friend and for watching and enjoying my videos, it means a lot to me hearing that! It's hard to tell in the small picture but is that 1955 Bel Air and is it yours, looks super clean! My Mom's brother had one and after my first ride in it at about seven years old I wanted one ever since! Thanks again, Cheers.

[@stargatefred]

Hi Ray, I just watched this video. It is right on. I am gonna watch it again and make a list of things that I need. Thanks for the insite Bill from Seattle

[@RaysGarage]

Hello Bill, Sorry for the poor video quality but still a lot of great tips that i still use today! Thanks for tuning in and hope all is well buddy!

[@Edvervynck1]

Great tips....I followed along quite well ....I thought you did a GREAT job on handling the camera ....only those who have done this would know how "hard" it is to handle a camera, move around and talk about everything in a certain time limit!!

[@johnw.peterson4311]

Clean well organized shop. Great job.

[@SWLAMECH84]

Great Videos !! Thanks for taking the time to show us !!

[@danthomas9474]

Wow. Your shop is immaculate! OCD in the shop, a must have...lol Thank you for the video. I am looking to get into the hobby myself.

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you Daniel, I am a little OCD for sure! Machining is a great hobby, very addicting, and you will all of a sudden have a lot more friends needing machine work done! Thanks for watching! Ray C.

[@ZappninLLP]

Thanks for these great tips and tricks!

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks man, Happy to hear it helped you out! Ray

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you Adam! As a hobby machinist starting out a few years ago, a very good old school machinist friend gave told me to learn machining the "old school way" first. Best advise I ever received! I have found some really great machinists willing to share their many years of knowledge here on you tube. Good luck, and thank you for watching!

[@KimberlyRPeacock]

Ray I want to thank you for taking the time to make this videos and share your knowledge. I have found that the world is filled with critics. People watching other people doing the work can always find ways to improve, to do it better, and find fault. I have not missed the point that there will always be someone who had it harder, who lived through more challenging times and had to be even more creative to find ways to work around the obstacles. Again I want to thank you, because you have helped me. Made my life a little easier by teaching me something I did not know before.

[@RaysGarage]

Hello Kimberly, Thank you for your very kind words and yes many of us work around obstacles regularly! I am happy to hear you enjoyed this video and sorry for the poor quality, I have much better video equipment and have learned to make better video! Best Regards, Ray

[@gustavohernandez477]

Cool tips man ! I'm a machinist for about 2 years now and still have a little trouble centering my cutting tool but I like how you got a scribe attracted to a post .. Great idea !

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you Gustavo, I am happy to hear this helped you. Have a Very Merry Christmas and thanks for watching! Ray C.

[@machinist44ful]

Another way of centering your tool bits is using the 6" rule method. I'm not sure if you have learned this trick yet, but it goes as follows: If you are using a 4 jaw chuck, then dial your stock in before performing this technique. Put tool bit in holder Bring the bit up to the side of your material (this only works for round stock.) (this does not work on the face of the round stock.) grab your 6" rule and place it between your stock and tool bit, right around the 3" section of your 6" rule. Very gently bring your tool bit against the 6" rule. (Pinch the 6" rule, only tight enough to hold the 6" rule. If the 6" rule is straight up and down, then you are centered. If the top of the 6" rule is leaning toward you, the tool bit is too low. If the bottom of the 6" rule is leaning toward you, then the tool bit is too high. Adjust the tool accordingly and be sure to make any and all adjustments to the tool bit away from the material, so as to not damage the tool/6" rule/stock. Again; Pinch the 6" rule just tight enough to hold it up. Especially, be careful with brazed carbide tool bits. They are very easy to chip. I hope this trick can help you with lining up cutting tools.

[@RaysGarage]

david decker Another great technique, thanks for sharing David!

[@machinist44ful]

It's what I do! No problem. I just love machining. It has been my life for a quarter of a century, now.

[@machinist44ful]

You could also just use the point on the tip of the center when it is in the tail-stock. But that one is far too simple.

[@magneticatastrophy]

I'm glad I watched your video. It comes in handy...

[@phishertube]

I will use a bunch of these ideas thanks Brother.

[@RaysGarage]

I am happy to hear that these tips/tricks will help you! Thanks for watching! Ray C

[@Nurburgringfast]

A shedload of good stuff. Thank you!

[@peterenginering]

nice mod on your lathe thanks to sharing now i have something to do this weekend with my lathe :)

[@speed69b]

Thanks so much for the anti-seize mix trick. Instant high-quality threading.

[@RaysGarage]

Right on! I am happy to hear the secret mix worked well for you! Give it a try on your next drilling job, works like a charm there too!

[@LikeToMakeTools]

Good tips! Nice clean shop!

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Good tips, thanks for sharing!

[@RaysGarage]

+ShysterLawyer Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed! Regards, Ray

[@madden4306]

Great video Ray, I'm constantly looking for my chip brush, the magnet is such a simple solution that never occurred to me. Your carriage lock is another great idea. Like you, I have a higher end Grizzly lathe and I have no complaints.

[@RaysGarage]

Hello Brian, Some of the comments on the Gizz are not good but this lathe has been very good to me and runs true! I have made hundreds of parts with tolorances in the tenths, not bad for a China lathe! Thanks for tuning in! Best Regards, Ray

[@niall300zx]

great tips ray, thankyou

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks man! Sorry for the shaky video, I now have a stand so most of my new videos are way better quality! Thanks for stopping by! Ray

[@raymondj8768]

hey ray its ray here i love watchin your vids your very nolageable and not a wise ass know it all keep up the great work !!!

[@RaysGarage]

Hey Ray J, Thanks man, I am a jokester and definitively not a smart ass! Thanks for your kind words and for tuning in! Best Regards, Ray

[@RaysGarage]

Hey andre868, I should have included a warning for seasickness. I'm not very good at making videos but, I do enjoy sharing what I have learned with the hopes it will help fellow KZbinrs. Thank for watching!

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks! Sounds like your going to have a busy weekend, enjoy!

[@jojotiger55]

Good job, good tips!

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you very much Cleftwynd! I too have learned a ton of great information from Mr Pete, and Keith Fenner. I'll try and get some more stuff out there soon. Thanks again, and thanks for watching!

[@dlstanf2]

great setup. good thinking

[@RaysGarage]

+dlstanf2 Thanks, I am glad to hear you found this useful! Thanks for tuning in! Ray

[@Askjerry]

Very useful, instant subscriber.

[@RaysGarage]

Hi Jerry, Thanks man, I am happy this video helped you, and thanks for subscribing! Ray

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks for the tip The DivineImpulse, No worries, that is one four fire extinuishers I keep fully charged, and ready to go in the shop. Asa matter of fact, I just used one of them on a propane gas grill fire last week, worked like a charm! Thanks for watching!

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks magneticatastrophy, I'm happy the video helped you out! I'm working on a few more little tricks I just picked up, stay tuned.

[@RaysGarage]

Hi Duckster1964, I am by far no machinest, I do this as a hobby, for my own enjoyment. I have a full time job that pays the bills. Thanks for watching!

[@1935Ron1]

great tips ,,thanks!

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you Ton, and thanks for watching! Ray C.

[@paulhealey8221]

I have been a precision machinist for 29 Years, I suggest a 4 jaw chuck especially for turning eccentric parts and repeating concentric parts as well, not to mention the 4 jaw chuck has much more holding power! Also, if you don’t have a coolant pump, I suggest getting one and begin using carbide inserts instead of high speed cutters. Don’t get me wrong, high speed cutters still have a place in certain machining processes. Also, a green wheel works well for touching up high speed tooling. If you do a lot of small turning a collet set with a stop behind works well. If you have any problems feel free to contact me. I have extensive experience on manual Laths. One more thing, yes I have used dial indicators on my cross slide, carriage and tail stock for repeating... but if you can ever afford a DRO get one!

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks for the tips and info Paul, greatly appreciate it! I will be adding DRO, its on my wish list and can really use one at this point! Cheers, Ray

[@RaysGarage]

Hi rollerco, The part number for the carriage stop is; P59601420 Cost is $46.25. You might have to also get a small piece of aluminum angle, I think one inch to take up some of the space between the bed rail and the new carriage stop. Thanks for watching!

[@ExtantFrodo2]

You didn't even mention holding the chuck key in the chuck is it used for. Nice!

[@RaysGarage]

I am happy to hear you found this video helpfull Jim, and Thanks for watching!

[@juanpaolomelano4963]

you have a brilliant idea sir it is very applicable...maybe this time i can make my work easier in a short period of time...

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks Juanpaolo, I enjoy sharing anything that helps make machining more fun! Best Regards, Ray

[@AeroSport103]

Neat stuff. Thanks for posting...

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you Ironheart! Thanks for watching! Ray C.

[@MrJackandEmily]

Made one of those centering tools and use it every day.. Brilliant idea

[@RaysGarage]

+Jack Baker Hi Jack, Very simple and very useful! Thanks for tuning in! Regards, Ray

[@Useroffline]

Thanks for charing, that comes in handy :)

[@RaysGarage]

Saaaamuel I am glad you can use some of these tips. Thanks for stopping by! Ray

[@outsidescrewball]

Your correct, the portaband saw is so handy, check out my stand that I designed and built....nice setup on the lathe

[@garryneich6321]

Hey Ray, great little shop you got there.Handy tips and and accessories.The centering/ truing rolling...neat ! Just wanted to share something as well...Kerosene is another great lubricant for all Aluminum work and Lanolin (yep lanolin) is about THE best lubricant for Stainless steel work.(specially for H.S.S. tools) I make swarf for a living and some bits and pieces along the way. Cheers ya All.

[@RaysGarage]

+garry neich Hi Garry, Thanks for the great tips, I have used kerosene and diesel, works very well on aluminum and much cheaper than WD! Never thought lanolin would work for machining stainless, works great on cleaning my surface plates, I'll give it a try next ss project. Thanks for tuning in! Regards, Ray

[@crossthreadaeroindustries8554]

Great, great share... Long-term relevance - It would be a year putting all your tips to practice, but that's what it takes to get one's "program" together. Thanks.

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks man! I hope you found the tips useful and will put them to use! Thanks for tuning in!

[@not2fast4u2c]

Thanks for the video

[@anthonycash4609]

Wow love all the additions you have added to your lathe. I have an older south bend and when they built it long ago they rounded every edge on the machine and it makes it hard to adapt any thing to it. Don't get me wrong I love my old lathe and was all I could afford to start off with. Just wish it was easer to adapt things to. Very good videos.

[@RaysGarage]

Many Thanks Anthony, The South Bend is a very good lathe and should serve you very well! Thanks for tuning in! Best Regards, Ray

[@whyturtleracer]

congratulations on your enthusiasm

[@RaysGarage]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for stopping by, Ray

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you, Hope the video helped you, and Thanks for watching! Ray C

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you jojotiger55, and thanks for watching!

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks outsidescrewball, nice porta band stand you built, and thank's for watching!

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you LikeToMakeTools, and thanks for watching! Ray C.

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you Nurburgringfast, and thanks for watching!

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you dubphat, happy to hear this video helped you! Thank for watching!

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you very much Paul! You are more than welcome to swing by some time when your in the Fresno, Ca area, just shoot me a PM. Thanks for watching! Ray C.

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you GnosisMan50, and Thanks for watching! Ray C.

[@tchill12345]

nice setup dude !!

[@billknight7331]

Lot of good tips for speeding up machining. I like the center height guage idea. The carriage lock is good too but might be accidentally bumped. Maybe modify it to keep it locked on or off.

[@RaysGarage]

Hello Bill, Thank you for your comments and for tuning in! Sorry for the poor video quality, I was just getting started here on KZbin and was using my old iPhone to make videos. I am happy to hear to liked some of the ideas I use here and still use to date, so far the carriage lock has not been a issue but did have to replace the plastic handle knob with a aluminum one. Take care and best regards!

[@scottshealey5976]

I like your videos.. I'm a beginner and just bought me a new grizzly lathe.. I want to see a video of how you got your coolant lines set up???? Thanks

[@RaysGarage]

Hello Scott, I removed my coolant lines since I do not like to flood coolant, for me it creates a big mess and extra maintenance.

[@scottshealey5976]

I bought my lathe for gunsmithing work... I need to install the coolant lines

[@RaysGarage]

Hey Phil, I would love to have a Brdgeport, just don't have the space, and I'm not parking the cars outside! The PM45 is working out very well for me, it's done everything I needed it to do, and has done it well! Thanks for watching!

[@RaysGarage]

@@fml5910 Yes, PM does make a very nice bench top mill, check them out! www.precisionmatthews.com/product-category/millingmachines/benchmills/

[@GnosisMan50]

Good Idea.....

[@RaysGarage]

The part number for the carriage stop is; P59601420 Cost is $46.25. You might have to also get a small piece of aluminum angle, I think 1" to take up some of the space between the bed rail and the new carriage stop. I would be happy to shoot you some pictures if need.

[@RaysGarage]

Hi Jim, Great question! My old school machinist friend got the Union Butterfield for me, I have no idea where he buys it but I will ask him, and get back to you. For now try a Inter Web search, and be sure and mix a little anti-seize with it for the perfect "secret solution" the stuff works great! Thanks for watching!

[@MaturePatriot]

Great tips. MrPete222/Tubalcain is a marvel. Just purchased an ENCO 1340 (used). I will be incorporating several of your tips into the setup of the lathe. I am new to your channel. Judging from some of the comments you must be a millionaire. LOLOL Envy is so very unbecoming. You have a great day my friend, and keep machining.

[@RaysGarage]

Many thanks my friend! Maybe one day I'll hit the lottery and become a millionaire but until then its off to work for the daily grind! I started out watching Mr Pete, great guy and excellent channel! Thanks for subbing and for tuning in!

[@RaysGarage]

Hi Seb, My old school machinist friend got the Union Butterfield for me, I have no idea where he buys it, maybe McMaster Carr? I will ask him, and get back to you. For now try a Inter Web search, and be sure and mix a little anti-seize compound with it for the perfect "secret solution" the stuff works great! Thanks for watching!

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you kev, and thanks for watching!

[@Pushyhog]

thanks mister.

[@RaysGarage]

You are welcome!

[@CSSIandAssociate]

Hi Ray at 11:24 you show the decimal chart conversion. Who makes it? Good reference chart. Great vid we got to start somewhere like the enthusiasm and the sharing of knowledg. I would like to make a suggestion re-record this. The tips are fantastic. I make a spreadsheet and a word doc of vids and subjects that I am interested in for reference. I subscribed before your vid was over. I also saw the the grzzly review and thanks for the review I am also interested the Gunsmithing lathes... The main reason to re-record other than geting the negitives. I would like to see this again reference it to others. It would a little tough to watch a second time. But the tips are great. Thanks for mentioning Mr. Pete I have not watch him in a while. I shall go an check out his site again. Keep up the good work. Cheers...

[@RaysGarage]

Hello William, Thanks! The decimal chart I show in the video was given to me many years ago, it's faded and very well used! You can get one similar to this one from Stan Z over at Shadon HKW his link here; kzbin.info/door/ircIu8sQ-e67gH4kcb0xdA Thanks for your input, and kind words! I continually try to put out better video and use viewer tips regularly on new videos. Thanks for stopping by and for subscribing! Ray P.S. Great KZbin profile pic, awesome car man!

[@jonrooks2891]

Good video inspector gadget

[@RaysGarage]

Hi Jon, Well said, I do like gadgets! Ian glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for stopping by! Ray

[@jay7605]

Some nice tips for a newbie lathe fanatic.Thanks. Where did you get the brass tap you fix you coolant Loc-Line to. Looks the chisel.

[@RaysGarage]

Hi John, The brass tap came on the Loc-Line with the lathe.

[@RaysGarage]

Your welcome knikula, thanks for viewing my videos!

[@TailEndCustoms]

Good tips man thanks

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my videos! Ray

[@douglasbattjes3991]

Great video, lots of great ideas, but loose the BASICALLY,,, How do you like you Grizzly, just got mine . Like to see lots more on the G 0709 lathe, not much out there. Really enjoyed the video, and can't find the carriage stop you said was from Grizzly, go figure, Thanks Ray 👍👍👍👍

[@RaysGarage]

Hello Douglas, This has been a pretty good lathe for the money and i have been using it for over seven years now with no issues! It cuts true and is repeatable for the most part. I will be adding a 8" 3 jaw chuck soon and doing video on that but what more would you like to see? This video is pretty old and poorly done but get a lot of views! In my defense I was just getting started doing videos and had no idea what I was doing but just wanted to get some good info out there for others. Check out some of my newer better stuff and let me know what you think. Thanks for you comment! Best Regards, Ray

[@douglasbattjes3991]

@@RaysGarage I will check out some of your new ones,,,haven't got mine going yet,,,really like to see any other videos you have done on it. Can't wait to get the baby going..

[@douglasbattjes3991]

Ray,,,like to know what you did if anything about draining the oil on the gear case to keep oil from going all over,,,before I fill mine,,,maybe a petcock in place of the plug?

[@RaysGarage]

@@douglasbattjes3991 Adding a petcock would be a nice addition, i have not done this and yes oil gets everywhere when changing it out!

[@paastizzicreations]

good ideas great thanks

[@RaysGarage]

Thank you and thanks for tuning in! I am glad you found these tips handy and sorry for the poor video. Regards, Ray

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed! Best Regards, Ray

[@facuclop]

Beautyfull lathe!!!

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks and it's still working like a charm!

[@cubleycat]

Wow some great ideas. Ive got a cheap Chinese lathe and use a digital vernier on the cross bed, I have magnets all over the lathe for holding tools they are so handy (I don’t do a lot of ferrous cutting)

[@RaysGarage]

Thanks Cubleycat. Sounds like you have that lathe tuned in! Thanks, Ray C.

[@cubleycat]

Ray Caniglia Yeah I am fairly new to using a lathe so every bit helps, big thanks to people like you Ray I am learning quickly. I just took delivery 15 minuets ago of my new bit, a quick change tool post :-) Its a good little machine for a budget one it has a milling part on it too, it only cost £1000 brand new so cant expect a mega lathe but its great for what I do!

[@markuschampos5750]

Great video👍 But is it possible you could shake that camera anymore? It feels like it could be a little bit more.

[@RaysGarage]

Sorry about that, it makes me sea sick when I watch it! This was one of my early crappy videos but funny enough it has the most views of any video on my channel!

[@glennfelpel9785]

Ray, surely do appreciate learning all your tips...most of them I haven't seen before. Would you mind saying where you found the Union Butterfield Tapping Fluid. I couldn't find it yet. Thank you.

[@claeswikberg8958]

love the tips, but please get a camera with image stabilisation, i actually got motion sickness, but i had to keep watching it to the end anyway...

[@RaysGarage]

Hi Claes, Sorry about the very poor recording, it was when I just started doing KZbin videos. The quality of my current videos has improved! Thanks for watching and for stopping by! Ray

[@sebster145]

hey ray excellent video and awesome machine you have! could you link me to a supplier for the anti seize lubrication you mentioned is good to mix with the taping and drilling fluid?

[@ingridfleming8595]

G'day Ray, Great Vid. Can you tell me what brand dial gauge is on your cross slide, thanks.

[@RaysGarage]

Shars

[@ingridfleming8595]

@@RaysGarage Thanks Ray

[@jimking4159]

You forgot a tip. Where did you buy your Union Butterfield drilling and cutting fluid?? I would like to give this stuff a try. Thank you in advance.