My comical CNC lathe story and does anyone have experience with gang toolposts?

[m_c]

I'm based near Edinburgh, but am occasionally in various corners of the country, and if I happened to be near wherever you are, I'd be happy to pop in for an hour or so.

There is one main standard for lathe tool holders, however there are also some manufacturer specific types, but they tend to use non-standard codes.
The key bit of info are the letters, as they tell you the insert type, toolholder style, and orientation. The numbers that follow are the shank size. Then the final code is the insert tolerance/size.

A SDNCN 1212 M11 takes a DCMT 11T3 insert
The SDJCL/R are left and right versions of the same tool, however the left hand version takes a DCMT 11T3 insert, whereas the right hand takes a smaller DCMT 0902, however 0902 is not a common size, so you'd be better to buy a new holder.
www.shop-apt.co.uk is a reasonable source for tools and inserts.

What I meant by tools lining up, is provided the tool disc/holder and the ratchet has been machined correctly, once you have one tool at the correct height, they should all be at the correct height when in the cutting position. If you're having to adjust the height of individual tools, then something is not right.
When I bolt a tool into my turret, I don't have to adjust it's height. If the height is wrong, then I have an alignment issue and all the tool heights are wrong.

If homing is working with suitable switches, when you click the Home (I think, it's been that long since I've used Mach 3, it might actually be Set Home) button for the axis, the corresponding axis should then carry out a homing routine.

[Rob]

I'm based near Edinburgh, but am occasionally in various corners of the country, and if I happened to be near wherever you are, I'd be happy to pop in for an hour or so.

There is one main standard for lathe tool holders, however there are also some manufacturer specific types, but they tend to use non-standard codes.
The key bit of info are the letters, as they tell you the insert type, toolholder style, and orientation. The numbers that follow are the shank size. Then the final code is the insert tolerance/size.

A SDNCN 1212 M11 takes a DCMT 11T3 insert
The SDJCL/R are left and right versions of the same tool, however the left hand version takes a DCMT 11T3 insert, whereas the right hand takes a smaller DCMT 0902, however 0902 is not a common size, so you'd be better to buy a new holder.
www.shop-apt.co.uk is a reasonable source for tools and inserts.

What I meant by tools lining up, is provided the tool disc/holder and the ratchet has been machined correctly, once you have one tool at the correct height, they should all be at the correct height when in the cutting position. If you're having to adjust the height of individual tools, then something is not right.
When I bolt a tool into my turret, I don't have to adjust it's height. If the height is wrong, then I have an alignment issue and all the tool heights are wrong.

If homing is working with suitable switches, when you click the Home (I think, it's been that long since I've used Mach 3, it might actually be Set Home) button for the axis, the corresponding axis should then carry out a homing routine.

Thank you so much for this info, lots to learn. I will check out the link for tools.

For the tool turret alignment and the homing issue, to make this easier I will make a short video tonight showing what is happening and post it tomorrow.

One other thing, do you or anyone reading this know what equivalent grease to use for the Orac headstock and zerk nipples? I bought some "slide oil" for the bed and screws from ebay so that's covered. I know the grease is some sort of lithium hydroxystearate grease, but anyone have advice on this as I see various ratings like "EP2" and other ratings on ebay. What is good for a headstock?

Here is part of the manual's lubrication instructions:

Add grease sparingly to the Headstock bearings through Grease Nipples at back of
Headstock. GREASE: ALVANIA No3 or SPHEEROL AP 3


I live in Crianlarich, Stirling. People only travel through here at as fast as possible, there is even a new by-pass, lol. If you're ever travelling to Oban or Fort William way some time in the future it would be a pleasure to meet you and get some advice. Please let me know a couple of days in advance so I'm not off somewhere.

[Rob]

I think I found a limit switch, not sure, hopefully I can get some pics on here soon. One thing I noticed is when in manual there are various options for homing but in auto there are only two, no idea why.

Another thing I tried is to get a simple wizard to do something (a groove) but no result. It's so confusing and I can't find documentation for all the little things it tells me is happening. If I could just get a wizard to make one move it would be fantastic.