Mini Lathe Basics Facing Off

Are you a new owner of a mini lathe? Then this might be the video for you. this is the third in a series of videos where I'll be covering basic lathe operations that you'll need to master to become a machining wizard. Starting with facing off as it is the easiest and first procedure you'll need to learn.
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[@bikersoncall]

Thanks Joe, that gives me a starting point,
I was guessing that there was some kind of
adjustable-angle rest, cutting-bit holder, that could be used.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Your most welcome. I believe if you calculate
Sin( angle you want ) x length of bar stock = offset of your tail stock
Would be worth testing it first in a test piece. Let me know how you get on

[@electronicperformer1]

My mini lathe won't clear off the very center of thw workpiece. What do I need to adjust?

[@bikersoncall]

Thanks, I'm in the shopping stage for
a lathe, it is for project specific purposes,
or I won't be buying one for quite some time,
I would love to have one, but will only get
one in the near future if it can accommodate
my projects. I found a video talking about
a chart that would be handy , sin x's length
as you say. Apologies once again for the multiple
op's, I'm not able to reply inside of comments currently,
not sure how long that will be in effect. Cheers from US.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

No need to apologise always good to ask questions that’s how we learn. All the best over there in the US hopefully hear from you again on the channel.

[@m.m.7511]

You should have done facing off and center drilling all in one video....

[@Sternhammer89]

Hi Joe - I've watched a few of your videos and have come back to this one with a question. How do you face off and do further work on a piece of round bar that greatly exceeds the minimum stick out? I am making a tool that is 155mm long and I have a piece of bar 160mm with a very rough cut edge. I only have a fixed centre, but do have a centre support?

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Hi bill this is a tricky one,
Ideally you would want a fixed steady to support the work while you face off and centre drill ready for your tail support. To make life easier as well could you grind the rough end down to make it as close to flat by eye if possible.
Let me know how you get on. All the best

[@bikersoncall]

Hi Joe, thanks,
I'm not able to respond in
comment sections here, so I'll try to ask
this question more accurately;
I'm not concerned with the exact length for purposes
of my query.
I need a consistent taper on say 1 1/4 stock of perhaps 1 or
2 degrees from one end of the round stock to the other end,
hence that might be from 1 1/4'' down to 1'' at the opposite end,
my goal is to get exacting tapers for each finished piece.
I need to make several identical parts, well balanced.
I can't afford CNC, so my question is about how I might be
able to do this, if there is some kind of angled bit guide etc
that would allow me to get this done consistently from piece
to piece. What kind of part/accessory I might be looking/shopping
for if something or some method exists.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

It’s a bit hard to explain over text.
But if you familiar with trigonometry and know about soh cah toa. (If not look it up it’s not to difficult )
You know the distance point to point and you know your taper 2 degrees you can use that formuala to work out your tail stock offset.
I would advise using a dti on the tail stock to measure distance you adjust it so you can set it back.

[@larrybud]

How flat is that face, really? When you were backing out your cutter, it took a few more cuts, then stopped cutting, then a few more cuts their the major diameter.