Talk:Open Source Lathe

What is the first product of market value that can be produced on this lathe? Is there a demonstrable need for that product in the market place? At what point will the lathe investment pay back?

I ask, knowing that machinists are critical in the manufacturing world, but what will Factor E be manufacturing to support the costs of this tool? Are there better ways to spend the money?--Dennis 11:03, 8 March 2009 (PDT)



Seems to me that the ways need to be made much larger. The single bar shown for carying the compound and cross-slide are rather insufficient for a lathe of any critical size. The link provided to the antic Drummand lathe had a 4" diameter bar as the ways. Lesser bars are going to be insufficient. I would suggest either two or three bars of the size currently shown spread out to give more stability, or a flat set of ways as used in more standard lathes. The work required will be much more but the product should be substantially better.



This was found on the steam engine page, but is a bill of materials for a lathe. I'm not sure if it's for the same design as given here.--Conor 17:34, 23 March 2011 (EDT)


 * Romig bed lathe type - from Multimachine - [[Image:Romig.jpg]]
 * Simple prototype, $486 in materials BOM:
 * 2 bearings, $50
 * 2 mouning plates, 1/2"x6" angle - $40
 * 4 Shaft Collars - $20
 * 2" shaft - $20
 * DOM tubing, 3", 2" ID - $15
 * 8 3/4" bolts for table - $16
 * Chuck plate - $40
 * Bolts for chuck - $20
 * Nuts and bolts for DOM - $5
 * XY table - $70 off shelf at Enco -
 * Tool post - $10
 * table plate - $30
 * 2 bags of cement, 80 lb each - $20
 * sand, gravel - $10
 * TOTAL - $316
 * High performance, 2/1000" accuracy with proper technique, stock parts, 1000 lb radial and 200 lb axial load capacity