Book comes with a CD. Synopsis. After becoming familiar with standard lathe operations one develops the desire to cut complex shapes on a lathe: fancy chess pieces, earing, knickknacks, table legs, specialty adapters, Morse taper, ... A CNC (Computer Numeric Control) lathe is the way to go, but these systems start at about $2,000 and it takes months to learn how to use these machines efficiently. Computer skills are required. For hobbyists, there is a faster and cheaper way to do so: As with CNC operations, any shape can be approximated by slicing it.
This works also as a manual operation on any lathe and does not require more than 10-20 min for most shapes. How that works is described in this book, which includes a CD with windows programs. Sophisticated computer skills are not required. In fact, tables are additionally included which can be used without even touching a PC. Demonstrated is how to cut ball ends, elliptical ends, taper, Morse taper, and parabolic/spherical shapes in the side of a rod. This volume features again the Sherline lathe. However, slicing operations that simulate a CNC lathe can be run on any lathe independent of the size or any design details of the lathe.
The author is not a professional machinist or engineer. In fact, the author holds a PhD in physics and teaches physical chemistry at a college. The author is a hobby machinist, as you probably are. Therefore, no information provided herein represents professional advice or best practices in machining. All information is provided to help hobbyists and other non-professionals gain a better understanding of using a miniature benchtop / tabletop lathe for hobby type work.
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