When is a lathe not a lathe ?
 

Answer:
When it's a milling machine of course.

The real question is whether there are people in here who want an article on how to do milling on a lathe. There are two methods that can be used and it depends on what you want to do.
I will write an article if there is some interest, as this really applies to those who have a lathe but no milling machine.

Let me know, your view.

Couldn't hurt...I have access to a lathe , an ancient lathe but a lathe none the less.

Yeah, I have a question. What the hell are you smoking? Seriously, though, I've heard quite a few people ask about making stuff on a lathe.

I'd like to see it. I only have a tiny, weak lathe, but knowledge and information are always good.

I'd like to see it. My grandpa has a lathe....

yeah, you can mill on a lathe no problem, You need the proper collets for the headstock and a milling atachment that you can clamp your peice into and it moves the peice up and down and the compound moves it forward and back. Can be done. I could only guess its not the best way to do it, I cant really see how strong it would be but Im sure it works.

Jon

It depends on what kind of lathe you have. Wood working lathes are definitly not strong enough to deal with the pressures of milling copper, but those designed to turn metal stock should be adequate.

Also, the bigger the better :D

ive got a lathe and would be pretty interested in seeing the article :D

You need a milling attachment tho do you not? So you may aswell buy a small mill insted right?

correct me if im wrong :)

I belive bladerunner made his early blocks on a mill/lathe thing so it will work if you have the stuff.

I have access to a lathe also and I've been wondering how/if I could put it to use. I dont have access to a mill so I'd like to see how I could put this lathe to use please.

you need
 

a milling attachment. You can buy one, or make one. Bolt a sturdy piece of angle iron to cross slide, then mount your compound vertically to the piece of angle iron. Then get a cheap drill press vise and mount that instead of your tool post. You would then have all necessary movements. I got all sorts of ways if you want to hear any. You can make this for about 20 bucks or so. Obviously its not a milling machine, but it will work using proper speeds and feeds. light cuts is a must

Kinda what your talking bout: http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~chrish/tmilling.htm

Yes it is...Nice site by the way, never seen that one. My problem is, I don't know anything about water blocks. If someone has a design with specs, I could do it for them. Free of charge, you pay for copper/aluminum.