🔩 Sunday Lathe Practice

Machine: Enco 12x36 Gear Head Lathe (Model 110-2075)
Spindle Range: 65 – 1,810 RPM

STOCK #1: 6063 Aluminum Round Bar

DIAMETER1/2" (0.500")
LENGTH36" (3 ft)
ALLOY6063-T5

STOCK #2: 360 Brass Round Rod

DIAMETER1/4" (0.250")
LENGTH36" (3 ft)
ALLOYC360 Free-Machining

✂️ Cut Plan

Hacksaw or bandsaw into practice blanks:

2"Aluminum × 6
2"Aluminum × 6
2"Aluminum × 6
2"Brass × 6
2"Brass × 6
2"Brass × 6

36" ÷ 2" = 18 blanks each. Plenty of room for mistakes.

⚡ Speeds & Feeds (HSS Tooling)

RPM = (SFM × 3.82) ÷ Work Diameter
Material Diameter SFM Ideal RPM Use RPM
6063 Aluminum 0.500" 300 (rough) 2,292 1,810 (max)
6063 Aluminum 0.500" 500 (finish) 3,820 1,810 (max)
360 Brass 0.250" 200 (rough) 3,056 1,810 (max)
360 Brass 0.250" 300 (finish) 4,584 1,810 (max)
⚠️ Both materials will run below ideal speed. The lathe maxes out at 1,810 RPM. This is fine for learning — just take lighter cuts and expect slightly rougher finishes. The aluminum will be closer to proper speed than the brass.
💧 Aluminum: Use cutting fluid (WD-40 works). 6063 is gummier than 6061 — keep it wet.
✨ Brass: Can run dry. Makes beautiful chips. Very forgiving — just go slow due to low RPM.

⚠️ Before You Start

1
Chuck & True the Stock
Work Holding Runout
Goal: Runout under 0.005" at the working end
Small diameter stock can be tricky to grip. Make sure the jaws have solid contact. The brass especially — it's slippery. Don't over-tighten or you'll deform it.
2
Face the End
Facing Tool Height
Goal: Flat, smooth face perpendicular to axis
Tool height matters: too low leaves a nub, too high causes rubbing. With small diameter stock, this is more noticeable. Use a ruler against the face to check flatness.
3
Turn to Diameter
Turning Measuring Dial Reading
Goal: Hit target diameter within 0.002". Smooth finish.
Remember: cross-slide moves radius, not diameter. 0.005" on the dial = 0.010" off the diameter. With small stock, you have less margin for error — measure often.
4
Turn a Shoulder (Stepped Shaft)
Shoulder Turning Length Control
Goal: Clean 90° shoulder at correct location. Two distinct diameters.
A stepped shaft is the fundamental lathe shape. On small stock like this, the steps will be subtle but the technique is identical to larger work.
5
Center Drill & Drill
Center Drilling Drilling Tailstock
Goal: Centered hole, correct depth, no wandering
Small stock = small holes. Use appropriately sized drills. For the 1/4" brass, you're limited to maybe 3/32" or 1/8" max hole size before the walls get too thin.
6
Part Off
Parting Tool Control
Goal: Clean cut through without breaking the tool or crashing
Small diameter stock parts off quickly — stay alert. The brass will part beautifully. The aluminum may grab — use fluid and keep steady pressure. If it chatters, slow down slightly.

📋 Suggested Order

  1. Start with aluminum — more forgiving, closer to proper speed
  2. Do exercises 1–4 on 2–3 aluminum blanks
  3. Try drilling (exercise 5) once you're comfortable
  4. Switch to brass — notice how differently it cuts
  5. Save parting (exercise 6) for last — it's the trickiest

💡 Focus on feel. Listen to the cut. Measure constantly.
The lathe is slower than ideal for this stock — compensate with lighter cuts.