Hardinge HLVH Lathe Question

[hammernanvil]

I’ve been running an HLVH at work without
problem for a few weeks until today.

Up until today facing a piece of round stock
hasn’t been a problem. I noticed today when
I was facing that when I dialed in .020 for
removal when it got to the center of the part
the carriage had apparently backed off approx.
.006 and of course didn’t leave a good finish.

I was using the power feed to face like I
normally do and never had to lock the carriage
to get it to stay in place until today.

I’m not sure what might have changed, I
use collets and the lathe chuck, and I was
using a collet today. The only thing different
I can think of is I was facing 1” dia. stock
which is just a little bigger than what I’ve
been machining.
I’ve been using the same style insert at
a slow rate of rpms and feeds, and the
steel has just been 1018. The insert may
have been worn a little but it wasn’t chipped.

I’m wondering if the carriage is supposed to
lock somehow when you use the power feed
or do you always have to lock it manually?

Any help is appreciated.

[JRouche]

Not a hardinge but all my lathes get manually locked when finish facing. JR

Maybe its a lock like my southbend. Where the grip can be adjusted. Maybe its always been a lil tight and someone else loosened it. JR

[Bented]

The part is moving, it is unlikely that such a lathe has developed a crossfeed problem.

Chuck or collet?

[hammernanvil]

I don’t think the part is moving. If the part
was moving, then why is position of the
DRO changing?
If the part was moving it would be sliding
back into collet farther not pushing the
carriage out.

[Leadfootin]

My HLVH has a carriage lock and it is generally needed when facing. Also tool sharpness is a substantial factor causing it to push away from the work.

[Glug]

Holy cats you broke the Hardinge!

[RB211]

Try a new insert or rotate it to a new edge. I am in agreement that when the insert dulls, cutting forces increase. Or you can lock the saddle and use the same insert.

[Mark Rand]

Congratulations! You just have learned why the HLV (and -H) have a nice, ergonomic, carriage lock sitting there waiting to be used...

[hammernanvil]

LOL

[Doozer]

Note: Do NOT use water-based coolant on a HLV-H.
It will kill it.

-Doozer

[Doozer]

And when you oil the countershaft on the Reeves drive,
don't forget to oil the brake cork.

-D