How to use a woodworking plane to help flatten the bed of a metal lathe - yes it can be done...
Continuing to tune up the Chinese Mini Lathe, next job to look at is the lathe saddle.
I have had a lot of problems with surface finish and the tool cutting on the outfeed. In this series we're working through the various problems with the lathe saddle as it came out of the factory and working out how to improve its accuracy and rigidity.
In part 1 we looked at the problem, take some measurements and start to hand scrape the bearing surfaces of the saddle in order to start to bring it into truth.
In part 2 we identified a problem with the alignment of the saddle bed ways which we need to sort out before we can move onto the actual gib strips.
In part 3 we refined the saddle gibs themselves and started to re-assemble the lathe. Optimism for a swift conclusion of the problem was high, yet premature.
Here in part 4 we addressed a bend in the lathe bed and are once more taking to the hand scraper to fix the problems that came out of the factory.
And in Part 5 I'm using a Stanley No.5 Jackplane to help me finish flattening the lathe bed.
The fix applies to the following lathe models: CJ0618, Crenex 7"x14", Clarke CL300M, Warco Mini lathe, Sieg C2 and many other brands which are based off the Chinese mini lathe design. However the techniques could be applied to other makes, models and sizes of lathe and aren't limited to this particular model.
See part #1 here - https://youtu.be/lKVR5Yn2STI
See part #2 here - https://youtu.be/Jq8_cQvR61c
See part #3 here - https://youtu.be/1iHFQ6viP_s
See part #4 here - https://youtu.be/A3sDM8yA_UM
Handy Links
==========
Carbide Hand Scrapers - https://ebay.us/uKTQmc
Carbide Scraper Inserts - https://ebay.us/FZUxmO
Engineers Blue - https://amzn.to/3XoBMSM
Rubber Roller - https://ebay.us/RMBsyo
Surface Plate - https://ebay.us/2yrNIh
Slip Stone - https://amzn.to/4d8aJB8