Has anyone built any type of semi enclosure, chip pan for their taig lathe? I would think that the mounting board would be a good place to start ?

Tony

Hi Tony,

I'm tossing a few ideas around at the moment for my little cnc taig lathe but not sure the route I want to go. If I make an enclosure, the strings from cutting can build up and just get thrown around in there and create quite the mess on finished parts.

I'm not the best on grinding chipbreakers on toolbits and I don't always hit the perfect feeds and speeds so I tend to have strings everywhere -

Dave

String Theory huh !? hey if it's cut it's cut I say, no matter how u got there. I was thinking of just a few small upright panels hinged at the bottom so the chips and strings stay inside. Hinge them down and clean it out once in a while.

Tony

I purchased an aluminim 3/4 cookie sheet pan that has 1 inch deep sides from a local kitchen equipment supplier. The Taig board sits inside of this and the top of the board is lower than the sides of the sheet. While flying bits aren't stopped, I put a piece of plexiglass between the lathe bed and the motor to protect the motor, all of the swarf that falls is easlily cleaned up. I also have a full sized sheet that my Taig mill sets in and it works great for this as well.

Rick Kernell

I use a simple box made of plexiglas to cover the lathe when it's in use. The side on the right is open so I can reach in and turn the dials. The piece of plexi in the back is positioned between the motor and the lathe, and has a slot in the left side of it that fits over the drive belt.

I hardly ever get this much swarf built up inside before I clean it out, but this is the only shot of it I could find quickly. It just sits on the mounting board, and lifts straight up to remove it. The swarf generally sticks to itself, so stays put when the cover is lifted off, and then it can be swept into a large pan and dumped.



Dean

Lol, yes you are turning some big stuff there Dean. I see that your partition works !

Tony

Now I see how bad I need an enclosure. Wow the swarf is flying ! I looked yestaerday for a cookie sheet Rick, couldn't find one big enough. I have to go to Chef's Central or someplace like that. Since I build up my base board by another inch the cookie sheet might not work anyway now. I think I have to go with a plexiglass enclosure that surrounds most of the lathe, the bench I am using is also my modeling bench and I don;t need chips and such on my models. We'll see. Dean i think u have the ticket, just don;t see how you reach in there all the time to turn the handles, don;t you have to move the shield all the time for tool and work adjustments?

Tony

Tony, it might be hard to tell from the picture, but there is about 5" from the front plexi to the dials. Plenty of room for turning the dials.
For changing tools and such, the cover comes right off. I mean it literally comes off in one second. Just pick it straight up and set it on the bench or floor. That thing saves me a LOT of time chasing chips and cleaning up.

Dean

hey Dean,

Yes I see what you mean, i was thinking bout the same type, with alum angle frame. it not only keeps the mess contained it protects the operator too.
My wife is already giving it to me,, I don;t want those chips all over the house ! ! ! I do want to keep my bench clean too though.!

Tony