Turning a Brake ROTOR Disc on a Small Lathe Mill Drill

[@orangetruckman]

New rotors were $35, turning somewhere was $20. Getting to pay for new rotors turned because they weren’t true...priceless 😖 Now that I got me an atlas 12” lathe- no more!!! Don’t forget to put a rubber strap on the outside of the brake to reduce vibration. Thanks for the video sir 👍🏻

[@theeddies]

Lol, Thanks for watching!

[@pgs8597]

G’day Eddy. That’s one job I won’t have to worry about, at best my lathe can only swing a 7” diameter. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Peter

[@theeddies]

Yes, it is one of the few jobs this machine can do that the average home shop lathe can't, though I am not sure it is a job I will ever do again. Maybe for a hard to find motorcycle disc. Thanks for dropping by! Eddie

[@craigtate5930]

I tried this a couple times on my logan. I wound up with a bunch of run out. Then I saw a guy on YT do it with a rotary table on his mill. That worked pretty well for me. But I still just ordered a set of new rotors for the probe

[@theeddies]

Honestly after doing it, I would only do it if I had no other choice. Some serious trash metal they are making these from. And it was OEM Toyota. I cut a small vintage motorcycle one a few years ago and i could get it smooth as glass if I wanted. This was like cutting foundry slag. Between that, the hard spots from overheating, and the price of new, it does not make sense. I can see a use for doing this on drum brakes, especially the old bikes I work on but not really worth it for car discs. Thanks for watching!

[@craigtate5930]

@@theeddies I hear ya. With car/truck drums , I just grind off the outer ridge with an angle grinder and call it a day. Seams to work well so far at least

[@АнатолийНовиков-х4п]

Hello! I also bought such a car. I watch your video, how you work with it and learn the nuances of working with it

[@theeddies]

I learned from KZbin. Basic lathe and milling videos. Mr Pete, that lazy machinist, Tom's techniques, etc.

[@andrewwilson8317]

My observation is there are a lot of aftermarket brake discs made from recycled metals, perhaps not always a pure blend or mixed very well. In use , some bits get heat treated different to others. Can physically see, feel and hear the difference when machining. It’s not there in quality OEM parts.

[@Cobra427Veight]

You really need to turn both sides at the same time , if you have bad hot spots they are super hard to get through .you need to use the back gear to slow it down. Some top hat rotors aren't too expensive at trade price .

[@Gouchybear]

Hello Eddies...I have the exact same machine that my brother in law gave me. I pulled all the bearings out and cleaned off the dried, caked on grease and inspected them and to my surprise they were in really good shape. After good overall cleaning of the machine I re-greased the bearings, reassembled and oiled the ways and feed screws and she runs like a champ. I did have to replace the rotary switch with one I purchased from Grizzly. Figuring out the wiring was a challenge, but I managed to get it right on the first attempt. I need to replace the feed screw and nut and I was hoping you could tell me which parts from Grizzly you used?? As for this video, thank you for making it; I have been wondering if rotors could be turned on this machine and would it be worth the trouble. As a last ditch solution, yes, it is possible and in a SHTF scenario I would do it. But in the meantime, I'll keep a set of brake components for each vehicle on the shelf in the shop. Keep up the good work!!

[@theeddies]

Hello, thanks! Mine cleaned up pretty well as well. Though the grease they used was in the same shape as yours. The part I got from Grizzly was the back screw bracket. That was several years ago. Last time I looked, I could not find the replacement parts anymore. Though I did not search very deep. I ended up buying a tap to make the feed screw nut. My screws are in good shape except the main one has a slight bend from same accident that broke it's bracket before I got it. I plan on making the nut out of brass or bronze, I just have not got around to it. When I do, I was going to do a few to sell as long as the tap lasts. It was pretty cheap. If you want one of those, just pay shipping and materials but it will be a few months probably. As far as the screw goes, I would just buy a length of the proper pitch and machine the ends. I think McMaster Carr sells the right thread. The tap was hard to find for a decent price. I ended up finding one on eBay. I could send a link if it is still available. All the best! Eddie

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Interesting video... thank you.

[@theeddies]

Thanks! I just found your channel through Craig. I have not had time to watch much yet but it is good stuff and I look forward to watching more. Those little machines have always interested me.

[@mapp0v0]

I have that lathe. Seems it is almost perfect for maching discs. Rpm a bit fast

[@theeddies]

Yes, if it had just a little more X travel it would nearly be perfect. The rigidity is a bit compromised on the outer edge of 11-12" but it works going slow, except when it decides to dig. LOL. Thanks for watching!

[@jorgebaeza3587]

Is this the Harbor Freight lathe?

[@PeterShaw-lb9lt]

the rough Finnish is because there is vibration between the rotor and the lathe tip

[@offgridmangogrower]

Thanks for making a mess….. And experimenting…..since you stalled…what is your motor size? And machine spec…? Trying these cutters helps others…maybe fabbing a custom cutter..?

[@theeddies]

It's a small hobby lathe/mill, 3/4 hp. Def. would want a job specific cutter.

[@randyscrafts8575]

Today is Aug 30, 2022. I need new front rotors for my car. Usually $20 each or so.......$90 each now!! Normally I'd just change em out because I've had rotor lathe operators screw em up and it wasn't much more to go new without the hassle of machine work. $90 each!!! My jaw dropped and I walked out.

[@theeddies]

That is rough. I have stopped buying from local auto stores. Last rotors I bought were $23 a piece shipped from Amazon.

[@mftmachining]

Hi Eddy, i have the same machine as you. Do you have a handwheel leftover u don´t use?

[@theeddies]

Hello, no I don't. I found my replacements just searching eBay for used parts, it took awhile to find a suitable part but they are out there. Thanks for watching! Eddie

[@emmettturner9452]

Thought it was going to be a motorcycle rotor!

[@johnstrange6799]

Oh that's a mess! Good experiment though.

[@theeddies]

Yeah, in hindsight, I will not do that again. My little joke cost me an hour of cleanup and a few hours off the life of my lungs. I was digging rust dust out of my ears in the shower.

[@johnstrange6799]

@@theeddies That's just your brain rusting. I've seen so many rusty crusty rotors that when I see a new one it look like some alien technology from outer space lol

[@theeddies]

lol

[@mike9500]

high speed steel may be better for cast

[@jorgebaeza3587]

What size is the lathe?

[@theeddies]

It has a 14" swing and is 24" travel.

[@S13KON]

Way too much rotational speed, needs to be slower.

[@jareddahlseid551]

It costs far less to pay a shop with proper tooling to do this work than what most peoples' wages will be per hours of your time messing around here. So unless these services are not readily available in your area you will be working for pennies to pay yourself to do it. Personally, my time is more valuable than that, and I've been machining in the aerospace industry for 17 years.

[@BRsWorld]

I think you're missing the point. It's not about how much you save doing the work yourself it's the fact that you can do it yourself and you're willing to put forth the effort. I could easily afford to take my cars to a shop and have the work done but I still do it myself because it is something I enjoy doing and I know the work has been done correctly.

[@dodgeramsport01]

@@BRsWorld correctly? To what extent? Yours! You mean the only way to do it is your way! Just because I do something differently than you does'nt make it wrong! I'm 46 and been in fab shops since I was 16 and own my own shop now! At the end of the day as long as we both got the same result does it mater how we got there? No it does'nt

[@christinaoliphant6714]

It looks like it’s turning to fast

[@theeddies]

That was the slowest speed this lathe goes.