Sherline Lathe User Guide and Specifications

kind type work. Use them only when a boring tool cannot be used because of the depth of
the hole. Because of their length, they cannot always be used on a small lathe.
Reamers are used only to "clean up" the hole. To make an accurate hole, the work is
drilled approximately .010" (.25mm) smaller than the reamer size. The work should be
slowly rotated and the reamer slowly fed into the hole while applying plenty of cutting
oil. The reamer should be frequently removed and cleared of chips. Never rotate a reamer
backwards in the work as this can dull the cutting edges.
Faceplate Turning
The faceplate has three slots which allow work to be bolted to its surface. Flat work can
be screwed directly to the faceplate. Extra holes can be drilled to suit odd shaped work
unsuitable for a chuck. If the work is mounted off center, be sure to counter balance the
faceplate and use very low RPM. Don't hesitate to drill holes in or modify the faceplate as
needed to do a particular job. That's what they are for. They are inexpensive and you can
have several on hand modified for special jobs.
Taper Turning
On most lathes a taper can be cut by offsetting the tailstock. On the Sherline lathe it is
done by removing the headstock key and turning the headstock to any angle away from
dead center. To rotate the headstock, the alignment key must first be removed. Loosen
the set screw in the front of the headstock and lift the headstock and motor unit off the
locating pin. Tap the alignment key out of its slot on the bottom of the headstock and
replace the headstock unit on the pin. While pressing down on the headstock, rotate it to
the angle you desire by referring to the angle scale on the bed. The base is calibrated in 5°
increments up to 45° both left and right of dead center. When set to the proper angle,
retighten the set screw against the pin to lock the headstock into position. The compound
slide (P/N 1080) is another tool that makes taper tuning easy. (See Figure 6, Pages 11/12
in Sherline's Tools and Accessories Catalog for a photo.)