The "Ask Nathan a Question" Thread

Hi Nathan, I have a question.

Do you know what this lathe-like object is or does? Its purpose? From the description:

"I purchased this beautiful machine at the estate sale of a machinist. I tried to find out exactly what it is, but couldn't get an ID from the forums. It appears to be a lathe of some sort. There is a wheel that spins, a space where something can get pushed in by a lever, and a metal blade that can be finely adjusted in and out of the opposite side of the hole where the lever is. The hole is 15mm wide."


0D4sf5G.jpeg


v0rEkc5.jpeg


VmvuI05.jpeg


BZuwO7G.jpeg


P7is1aG.jpeg


onzQ9rS.jpeg


xrAzD3i.jpeg
 
Last edited:
ferider said:
+ tinfoil hat timmy tinfoil hat timmy
Click to expand...
I know that isnt a lathe.

not like anything I've seen for turning. it looks more like a broaching tool. the work is held in the round thing and a sharp tool is pushed inside shearing out a precise amount and shape of material?

that's my guess. we broach a lot when we make set screws. the workpiece is held still and the cutter rotates.

that's how they do firearm barrel rifling so.etines too.

forging is better though imo

sorry I cant offer more help than that
 
tinfoil hat timmy said:
I know that isnt a lathe.

not like anything I've seen for turning. it looks more like a broaching tool. the work is held in the round thing and a sharp tool is pushed inside shearing out a precise amount and shape of material?

that's my guess. we broach a lot when we make set screws. the workpiece is held still and the cutter rotates.

that's how they do firearm barrel rifling so.etines too.

forging is better though imo

sorry I cant offer more help than that
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. What's really odd to me is the lack of a chuck or arbor, and even then, if the workpiece was piece was mounted in the spinning wheel, how could the lever push it through into the static blade? It would kind of render the fine blade adjustment moot, too.

It's possible that the lever side and the cutting side aren't even part of the same process. The large flat flywheel-like surface on the lever side looks like it's seen some friction action.
 
Mecha said:
Thanks for the input. What's really odd to me is the lack of a chuck or arbor, and even then, if the workpiece was piece was mounted in the spinning wheel, how could the lever push it through into the static blade? It would kind of render the fine blade adjustment moot, too.

It's possible that the lever side and the cutting side aren't even part of the same process. The large flat flywheel-like surface on the lever side looks like it's seen some friction action.
Click to expand...
no chuck means no lathe. I'd have to get it in front of me to know exactly what's going on.

the dial on the one side perplexes me..... I'm guessing it's for some kind of fi e adjustment of the workpiece?

it could be a full custom piece too.

let me know what you figure out please I'm interested
 
Mecha said:
Hi Nathan, I have a question.

Do you know what this lathe-like object is or does? Its purpose? From the description:

"I purchased this beautiful machine at the estate sale of a machinist. I tried to find out exactly what it is, but couldn't get an ID from the forums. It appears to be a lathe of some sort. There is a wheel that spins, a space where something can get pushed in by a lever, and a metal blade that can be finely adjusted in and out of the opposite side of the hole where the lever is. The hole is 15mm wide."


0D4sf5G.jpeg


v0rEkc5.jpeg


VmvuI05.jpeg


BZuwO7G.jpeg


P7is1aG.jpeg


onzQ9rS.jpeg


xrAzD3i.jpeg
Click to expand...


Pretty exquisite little piece of kit. I used to make trick stuff like that for the fiber optics industry up in Hickory near here.

My guess is it is some kind of an assembly tool.

It is using a tenths indicator for adjustment, so whatever it does is pretty precise.
 
tinfoil hat timmy said:
no chuck means no lathe. I'd have to get it in front of me to know exactly what's going on.

the dial on the one side perplexes me..... I'm guessing it's for some kind of fi e adjustment of the workpiece?

it could be a full custom piece too.

let me know what you figure out please I'm interested
Click to expand...

Yes it's such a strange machine. I think the dial indicator measures the cutting bit holder, as it looks like it pivots and presses on the stick thing that actuates the indicator.


Nathan the Machinist said:
Pretty exquisite little piece of kit. I used to make trick stuff like that for the fiber optics industry up in Hickory near here.

My guess is it is some kind of an assembly tool.

It is using a tenths indicator for adjustment, so whatever it does is pretty precise.
Click to expand...


Thanks for taking a look. Especially since after a long day's work an appropriate answer to my question could be, "Fuck you." XD

I wish I could buy the machine just to take it apart and see what's inside. It does have what appears to be a little tube on top and a drain tube on the bottom.
 
Last edited:
Nathan, while at Bladeshow, was there any knife or item that caught your eye, and if so why?

Also, if you were tasked with grinding Wolverine’s claws, what would you do to make them as slicy or stabby as possibly considering your experience with blades?

Thank you.
 
SwarthyGnome said:
Nathan, while at Bladeshow, was there any knife or item that caught your eye, and if so why?

Also, if you were tasked with grinding Wolverine’s claws, what would you do to make them as slicy or stabby as possibly considering your experience with blades?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

There were a number of blades at the show that caught my eye but not for good reasons.

I am a hellaciously unpleasant knife snob. I can't help it. I'm not a good person at knife shows.

I was taking my dad around the show and we were looking at lots of cool stuff and having a nice time and there were a few things that stood out. I was wanting to show him examples of excellent stuff however a lot of the stuff that we picked up were disappointing.

Hopefully I can be vague enough to not cause anyone offense, but there was a very fancy and expensive wakizashi with terrible geometry and balance and kinetics. It was a sword-shaped object. Unfortunately, looking back on the show this is the single piece that stood out the most for me but it was not for the right reasons.

We did see and handle a few Loveless knives, and he has an outstanding reputation for good reason. Those were nice.
 
Blues said:
Was it the handles that stood out to you?
Click to expand...

I didn't cut anything with them, obviously. But I could tell they would be good cutters.

It was the handle and the balance. They are light and thin and thoughtfully designed. It is a clean and elegant solution. No frills, just pure competency
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I didn't cut anything with them, obviously. But I could tell they would be good cutters.

It was the handle and the balance. They are light and thin and thoughtfully designed. It is a clean and elegant solution. No frills, just pure competency
Click to expand...

Interesting
Was everyone allowed to hold them, or did they know who you are?
I've never held one, I really don't know If I'd like them, or not?
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Interesting
Was everyone allowed to hold them, or did they know who you are?
I've never held one, I really don't know If I'd like them, or not?
Click to expand...

Friendly fellow named John near the front and center of the show has a nice collection and brings different stuff every year and, if you ask nice, he will let you handle them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top