[TheForge] Twister (Was:: housekeeping...)

[Ries Niemi]

On Oct 25, 2006, at 12:00 PM, Jerry Frost wrote:

> A lathe with a brake works perfectly for a twister. Even without a 
> brake you get used to the slowdown time and can compensate for it.
>
> My lathe has a position in the shop that will allow a clear 20' and 
> more off the tailstock so I can twist mill lengths when desired. It'll 
> also line up on the floor sockets so I can move the end vise easily 
> and have it still solid.
>
> Frosty
Very few lathes have real brakes- mine is pretty hefty, and all it has 
is a foot brake, which uses plain old brake pads. Its inexact, to say 
the least.
There are a very few big industrial ones out there with motor brakes, 
but its not a usual feature.
Also, unless your lathe is really big, its kinda fast for twisting.
Be careful.
The slowest my big lathe goes is 40 rpm.
My twister runs at 14rpm, with about a 3 1/2hp motor geared down to 
that speed- lots of torque is good.
Not to say you cant do it with a lathe, but its not what I would call 
"perfect". Maybe for little stuff- 3/8" square or so.
But my twister will do 1 1/2" square cold, bigger stuff hot.

  Ries Niemi
Industrial Artist

http://www.RiesNiemi.com