Combination Lathe/Mill Upgrades and improvements

[David T]

Hello All;

I am new to the home machining game and acquired this 1620CLM as a starter project before I decide what machines I really want. It's a good enough machine to learn on and will be passed onto someone who also wants to learn basic manual machining.

I obviously am aware of its quality and limitations, but I would like to make some upgrades to improve performance and minimize frustration. I am slowly working through the cleaning, adjusting, and replacing phase (knobs and handles are terrible). I think my lead screw has a subtle bend in it which I will investigate next.

The reason for my post is I would like to add a Quick Change Tool Post and am wondering if anyone else has one and has replaced the tool post. With a 16: swing, the manufacturer recommends a CXA tool post which seems too large for me. I also want to add a better vice for milling.

Any suggestions and comments are very much appreciated.

[Doozer]

CXA takes 3/4" tools.
I think BXA which takes 5/8" tools
is more in line with what you want.

What is "The Manufacturer" ?
The machine or toolpost manufacturer?

Swing has nothing to do with toolpost size.
Swing has nothing to do with toolpost size.
Swing has nothing to do with toolpost size.

Did I studder?
It is based on the height of where the toolpost
mounts on the compound and what size tool
you want to run.

If that thing swings 16" and is that light,
you have a wet noodle there by design.
Manage your expectations of chatter
you will get appropriately.

-Doozer

[oxford]

First off welcome to the forum.

Second off, don’t mind Doozer he’s pretty much one of the resident dicks on the forum although he can offer some decent advise if you can sift through vagueness and self entitlement.

Unless the machine you plan on replacing that with can utilize the CXA you will be better off with a smaller AXA or BXA and a riser block under it. This will also save you some expense on tool holders.

[Doozer]

I em what I em and that's all that I em.

--Popey the sailor man

[David T]

CXA takes 3/4" tools.
I think BXA which takes 5/8" tools
is more in line with what you want.

What is "The Manufacturer" ? (grammar)
The machine or toolpost manufacturer?

Swing has nothing to do with toolpost size.
Swing has nothing to do with toolpost size.
Swing has nothing to do with toolpost size.

Did I studder? (spelling)
It is based on the height of where the toolpost
mounts on the compound and what size tool
you want to run.

If that thing swings 16" and is that light,
you have a wet noodle there by design.
Manage your expectations of chatter
you will get appropriately.

-Doozer

The machine manufacturer is King, Toolpost is Accusize.

I will send a strongly worded letter to the manufacturer of the tool post that all the videos and blog posts and instructions on selecting the tool post size based on the swing of the lathe, are wrong. (see Doozer)

I do agree that the toolpost "It is based on the height of where the toolpost mounts on the compound and what size tool you want to run" That is why I was struggling with which size to get.

I am also keenly aware of what I purchased and its wet noodleness. I have no intention of turning anything near the stated swing capacity. However, I am touched😘 by your concern.

Oxford, thank you for the welcome and I can see that I am going to enjoy this forum immensely.

[J Tiers]

First off welcome to the forum.

Second off, don’t mind Doozer he’s pretty much one of the resident dicks on the forum although he can offer some decent advise if you can sift through vagueness and self entitlement.............

Doozer happens also to be entirely correct in this case.

The size of the tool post depends on being able to adjust the height of the toolholder to put the cutting edges of the range of tool sizes you intend to use, on center. That then depends on the range of adjustment of the toolpost.

The biggest tool that fits should be able to get on center with the tool holder at or near the lowest position possible, which is normally even with the bottom of the post. And, obviously, the smallest tool should be on center before you extend the holder off the top of the post. The sellers of these posts do not always give the information needed to determine that.

As a suggestion, do not assume you will "only need to use" a certain size. I use anything from 1/4" to 1/2" shank tools, for instance (1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", and also have some 7/16" )

The toolpost is a substantial investment, even with chinese imports, particularly when you add a bunch of toolholders (as you will want to). If you don't want to keep the machine long-term, then a toolpost that is most likely only usable on that machine (not on your next lathe) is of limited value. You will not recover the cost when you sell the machine, so you want to get your value out in terms of using it before you replace the machine.

[Doozer]

I like this guy David T.
I hope he hangs around.
He has potential to fit in well here

-D

[The Metal Butcher]

The machine manufacturer is King, Toolpost is Accusize.

I will send a strongly worded letter to the manufacturer of the tool post that all the videos and blog posts and instructions on selecting the tool post size based on the swing of the lathe, are wrong. (see Doozer)

I do agree that the toolpost "It is based on the height of where the toolpost mounts on the compound and what size tool you want to run" That is why I was struggling with which size to get.

I am also keenly aware of what I purchased and its wet noodleness. I have no intention of turning anything near the stated swing capacity. However, I am touched😘 by your concern.

Oxford, thank you for the welcome and I can see that I am going to enjoy this forum immensely.

Yeah! That's the right attitude. This forum can bite, bite back.

Doozer is right though. The toolpost claims come from when a 16" lathe swung 18.5" and weighed 4-5k lbs. American, Sidney, Monarch, Lodge and Shipley, Greaves Klusman, Hendey, Cazenauve, Springfield, LeBlond, VDF, and many others I can't think of right now all made comparable lathes. Some were heavier and better, but all approximately comparable. All of these would be sized for a CA post with minimal exceptions. The smaller lathes swinging 14.5-16.5 inches actually would be more likely to to use the CXA size.

You have what would be a raised center height lathe. Based on the actual weight and rigidity, it would be more in line with 8" class lathes. So the appropriate tooling would be in the 1/4-3/8" range. I believe a CA or even a BA would be laughably large on that machine. Then your tool locks are unnessarily heavy and expensive. I would use a 0XA or AXA. If the compound is too low then I would use a riser.

Welcome to the forum BTW. Enjoy your stay.

[mickeyf]

Also, if you have doubts about the size, you can buy from someplace like (Gasp! ahem) Amazon, which will allow you to return it on their nickel if it doesn't work for you. But double check those policies first if that's your plan since it that particular case it depends on who the actual seller is.

"King". So would you be in the Great White North?

[David Powell]

Hi, Are you in Ontario. I may at some stage be of some help/Regards David Powell.

[Doozer]

I will send a strongly worded letter to the manufacturer of the tool post that all the videos and blog posts and instructions on selecting the tool post size based on the swing of the lathe, are wrong. (see Doozer)
.

It seems you put a lot of trust in the manufactures of products.
Perhaps this is because your schooling taught you to blindly follow
authority and don't question what they say. Take whatever they
say as gospel truth because they know what they are doing.
They make the product, so they would know best, right.
Well maybe life has not taught you yet that this is not true.
Or maybe you swallowed the position in society that they molded
for you growing up. Maybe you believe the news. Maybe you
believe advertising. How about this, maybe you believe what
fits your personal view of the world. That is a popular one here.
But when one person contradicts what the big company says
is right, you are immediately dismissive. Very telling.
How about now when others start supporting the lone wolf who
had gone against the manufacturer ? Did you bite to quick and
miss the opportunity to learn? Interesting postulate to ponder.
Maybe your reaction is motivated by self preservation. There
is safety in going with the masses. Is not that what they teach?
Punish him! Burn her! Don't forget, this was also popular opinion.
I subscribe to the notion that intelligence trumps opinion.
Especially popular opinion. Go to the web site of a REAL toolpost
manufacturer like Aloris and look at their measuring instructions.
You will find the compound slide mounting height specifications
for selecting the post that offers the tool to be centered in the range
of adjustment that will work for your lathe. Best to measure and look
at the drawings than go by something not at all related like swing size.

--Doozer

[David T]

Yes, I am in the Great White North, my family has been here for 374 years. I reside in central Ontario just west of Orangeville. I'm skating towards early retirement in less than 4 years. So getting my shop in order (somewhat). Thought the small footprint and multi-function of the 1620 MLC would be a good start. (and I got it as a gift/bonus) So I will make the most of it until I feel the need or the opportunity to upgrade presents itself.

Started as an industrial plumber, then HP pipe welder (20+ years), superintendent, Project Manager now working as Cheif estimator for a high purity stainless steel pipe fabrication/installation shop (best company ever!) Loving the calm I get from being precise and thoughtful when machining.

I hope I can repay the advice regarding welding as I have held over 30 tickets in numerous weld procedures and materials.

"The only thing I cannot weld is the crack of dawn or a broken heart" - had to get that out of my system...

[David T]

Originally posted by Doozer

Well maybe life has not taught you yet that this is not true.
Or maybe you swallowed the position in society that they molded
for you growing up. Maybe you believe the news. Maybe you
believe advertising. How about this, maybe you believe what
fits your personal view of the world. That is a popular one here.
But when one person contradicts what the big company says
is right, you are immediately dismissive.

My good man, your assumptions and observations are that of a bitter poorly informed, and quick to judge wanker. What I believe or how I was raised is not up for discussion nor criticism. You are not grasping the point at all, sad actually. If I swallowed the pill or drank the Koolaide, then why would I have searched out the advice of others more experienced in the topic. Being part of the herd is something I have never been accused of.

So-called Lone Wolf opinions are just that, opinions. Show me the facts and I will make my own determination of its validity or merit. I too came to the same conclusion that the height of where the toolpost mounts on the compound. Hence my post.

I think you will find much less torment in your soul if you "listen with the intent to understand and not just to reply"

😝

[David Powell]

Doozer is an interesting and very able fellow, but sometimes he gets up on the wrong side of the bed !!! Regards David Powell

[David T]

Doozer is an interesting and very able fellow, but sometimes he gets up on the wrong side of the bed !!! Regards David Powell

I agree. I would liken him to burnt toast. Bitter and distasteful on the outside but perfectly serviceable on the inside. I can see the knowledge is there. I will continue to scrape off the char...