Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan
07-03-2006, 8:45 AM
Well, as I'm getting a little more time in on the DVR 3000 lathe, and I really like it.
Getting used to it has been fun, it sure is a nice machine.
There are a few things I don't like, but I think that would be with any piece of equipment as we all approach things in our own way.
The one thing that I really don't like that is really trivial is the stupid noises the lathe makes when it turns on, turns off, starts, stops, it plays a little tune. I guess it is better than some "Buzz" or such, but still, a mute button or function would be nice.
The next thing is just part of the whole deal. When you use the outboard turning function, you have to swing the headstock, this is done by pulling on the lever on the front to release the stop indent, and by loosening the Headstock Locking pin......
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/dvr_headstock_locking_pin.JPG
This all works fairly well, when locked n place it is ROCK solid, the one complaint I have is that when I got back to 0 degrees, lined up with the tailstock, it is not right on the money, I have to take the chuck off, and then put the spur center in, slide the tailstock up to the spur drive and nudge it. For the kind of money you pay for these tools, I expected the swivel to line up every time. I equate it to a poorly designed fence on a TS, that you have to check the back and front of the blade to each time you move it.
Rant over.
Except for that, I've got no real gripes at all.
Here is how I have the DVR set up right now....
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/turning_station_overview.jpg
Not a bad place to spend some spinny time...
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/turning_station_overview_left.jpg
Here is where I have the accessories set up within easy reach on the left of the lathe. I found that dropping stuff on your foot was not a good thing, so a rack works well to keep it all in place, as once the chips start flying, well stuff goes missing.
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/turning_station_acc_stand.jpg
A close up, nothing fancy, but it works.
When I was doing all this to start with, I needed some way of keeping the DC hose up over my head, but out of the way, as well as a place to mount a light or two, the pipe above the lathe has worked out really well for this.
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/turning_station_top_bottom.jpg
When I'm sanding or doing finishing cut on dry wood, let the flex hose for the cyclone hang down, it works so well, I have to remember NOT to put stuff on the headstock of the lathe, or it gets sucked up into the cyclone :o
I also move my MIG welder off of the cart I built for it. Usually it sits on the block of concrete in the corner there by the compressor, but as I'm doing the beer racks, I needed a longer reach, so I have it on a stool near the workbench. I used the cart to make a sharpening stations for my lathe.
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/sharpening_station1.jpg
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/sharpening_station2.jpg
I'm using the Delta grinder I got from a buddy for my Buffer, and the old cheapo grinder for sharpening, as I'd already made the jigs etc for the cheapo unit.
It all works rather well together, and the wooden copy of a "Vari Jig" works just fine.
Lastly I finally turned the handle for my Evil Skew.....
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/handle_for_skew.jpg
If I make another handle, it will be thicker, this one is kind of thin, but on the skew, I don't think it will ever get stressed to much.
Well that is it for now, I got to get back to work, and then I hope to sneak away to the Dungeon to finish up on the welding.
Cheers!
Getting used to it has been fun, it sure is a nice machine.
There are a few things I don't like, but I think that would be with any piece of equipment as we all approach things in our own way.
The one thing that I really don't like that is really trivial is the stupid noises the lathe makes when it turns on, turns off, starts, stops, it plays a little tune. I guess it is better than some "Buzz" or such, but still, a mute button or function would be nice.
The next thing is just part of the whole deal. When you use the outboard turning function, you have to swing the headstock, this is done by pulling on the lever on the front to release the stop indent, and by loosening the Headstock Locking pin......
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/dvr_headstock_locking_pin.JPG
This all works fairly well, when locked n place it is ROCK solid, the one complaint I have is that when I got back to 0 degrees, lined up with the tailstock, it is not right on the money, I have to take the chuck off, and then put the spur center in, slide the tailstock up to the spur drive and nudge it. For the kind of money you pay for these tools, I expected the swivel to line up every time. I equate it to a poorly designed fence on a TS, that you have to check the back and front of the blade to each time you move it.
Rant over.
Except for that, I've got no real gripes at all.
Here is how I have the DVR set up right now....
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/turning_station_overview.jpg
Not a bad place to spend some spinny time...
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/turning_station_overview_left.jpg
Here is where I have the accessories set up within easy reach on the left of the lathe. I found that dropping stuff on your foot was not a good thing, so a rack works well to keep it all in place, as once the chips start flying, well stuff goes missing.
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/turning_station_acc_stand.jpg
A close up, nothing fancy, but it works.
When I was doing all this to start with, I needed some way of keeping the DC hose up over my head, but out of the way, as well as a place to mount a light or two, the pipe above the lathe has worked out really well for this.
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/turning_station_top_bottom.jpg
When I'm sanding or doing finishing cut on dry wood, let the flex hose for the cyclone hang down, it works so well, I have to remember NOT to put stuff on the headstock of the lathe, or it gets sucked up into the cyclone :o
I also move my MIG welder off of the cart I built for it. Usually it sits on the block of concrete in the corner there by the compressor, but as I'm doing the beer racks, I needed a longer reach, so I have it on a stool near the workbench. I used the cart to make a sharpening stations for my lathe.
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/sharpening_station1.jpg
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/sharpening_station2.jpg
I'm using the Delta grinder I got from a buddy for my Buffer, and the old cheapo grinder for sharpening, as I'd already made the jigs etc for the cheapo unit.
It all works rather well together, and the wooden copy of a "Vari Jig" works just fine.
Lastly I finally turned the handle for my Evil Skew.....
http://www.ablett.jp/workshop/images/lathe/dvr_home/handle_for_skew.jpg
If I make another handle, it will be thicker, this one is kind of thin, but on the skew, I don't think it will ever get stressed to much.
Well that is it for now, I got to get back to work, and then I hope to sneak away to the Dungeon to finish up on the welding.
Cheers!