Author Topic: Wow! (Read 2036 times)

Bob La Londe · « **on:** June 26, 2016, 05:56:08 PM »

Well, it took the whole afternoon, but we got it off the pallet and wired up. Check the oil levels, learned what the levers and knobs do, and made a test cut.

WOW!

I have no idea how this Chinese PM1440 lathe compares to a big name lathe, but I may never even power up one of my small Harbor Freight lathes again.

It will be a while before it makes any airgun parts though. Its got to learn how to make plastisol injectors efficiently first.

Monkeydad1969 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2016, 09:50:57 PM »

Seems like you may have a winner there, Bob.

Joe

nielsenammo · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2016, 10:08:08 PM »

Bob, I just ordered the same lathe. PM1440BV and it came in last week.

How did you get it off the pallet. I can not get my engine hoist close enough to get it off the pallet. I may just call a machine mover to come do it for me.

Bob La Londe · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2016, 11:55:42 PM »

We used an engine hoist on one end with me standing on it to ballast it and a bucket fork on the heavy end. We ran bars through the lift holes and used nylon tow straps. Then a straight pick and small wood strips allowed me to position it a few inches at a time. It took my son and I couple hours.

Jay · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2016, 06:27:35 PM »

Looks very nice

Bob La Londe · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2016, 02:41:53 PM »

First project on the new lathe is something I could have done on my old lathe. I can't find the fill probe for my Cricket, so I decided to make one. I saw one a russian reseller has on ebay that is a single piece machined out of brass so I decided to follow his lead. I am afraid of brass for this application, so I went with 416L stainless I had left over from some other project.

A quick pressure test to 3000 PSI showed no leaks on the quick connect end.

I've since got it drilled to depth, but the o-ring grooves will require a hand ground cut off tool since I don't have a cut off blade that narrow.

Bob La Londe · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2016, 04:19:33 PM »

Well, I am back in Cricket business.

I made the probe just a hair too long, or rather than a square shoulder I did a quick a tapered shoulder which allowed the probe to go in a tiny bit to far. At first I thought I was hosed, but then I went DOH!. Just don't stick it in all the way. The gun is full.

I do have a use for some of that brass now. When I feel like it I may press a very short brass sleeve onto my adapter so I don't have to remember not to put it in all the way.

Monkeydad1969 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2016, 06:09:49 PM »

Very nice.

Bob La Londe · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2016, 07:14:30 AM »

I am definitely going to need to order some more tool holders for the QCTP.

Alan · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2016, 08:21:44 AM »

I have to smile though Bob, at the expense you went to. New lathe, new tools, jigs, whatever to make a $15 part!

It all sort of reminds me of the lengths and expense some amateur radio operators will go to, to avoid drilling a hole and mounting their antenna correctly.

Bob La Londe · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2016, 11:12:58 AM »

I can see why you might smile, but I have to smile for a different reason. I already have pre-paid pre-orders for some of the parts I bought this lathe to make.

I could have made this part on one of my little cheapie HF lathes I already had. It would have just taken longer. This was a chance to see how good of a job this lathe could do with a real job. Not just wasting some metal to optimize a pretty finish.

... and I wish it was a $15 part. $25 from Russia (thru Ebay) wait time unknown. $54 plus shipping from Top Air Gun without Foster End. $30 plus shipping from AOA without Foster End. All brass. Didn't call Joe at Air Tanks for a price because I planned to make one anyway. I have a stainless steel part that won't immediately start to wear out from the locking balls on the female connector. Besides brass scared me at 4300 PSI (300 bar) to fill the Cricket.