Little Machine Shop 1012 User manual

Mini Lathe Users Guide
Model 1012 (7" x 12") • Model 1014 (7" x 14")
from LittleMachineShop.com®

Updated 4/5/2023 © 2023 LittleMachineShop.com Page 2 of 45
© Copyright 2023 LittleMachineShop.com®
All rights reserved.
Written by LittleMachineShop.com®
The mini lathe users guide in intended to present the general operation of your new
machine. It is not intended to be complete reference on machinist's best practices,
machine shop safety or as a technical reference. For more comprehensive guides on
numerous related topics, visit www.littlemachineshop.com.
Version 1, August 2022
LittleMachineShop.com
396 W. Washington Blvd. #500, Pasadena, CA 91103
[phone] • Fax [phone]
www.littlemachineshop.com

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Contents
Mini Lathe Specifications .................. 4
Safety Considerations ...................... 5
General Safety............................ 5
Lathe Safety .............................. 5
Electrical Safety.......................... 5
Machine Safety ........................... 6
Unpacking & Preparing for Use ........... 7
Initial Cleaning ........................... 7
Mini Lathe Assembly ..................... 7
Mounting the Lathe ...................... 8
Mini Lathe Components .................... 9
Headstock ................................10
Gear Drive................................10
Tailstock..................................11
Carriage/Saddle .........................11
Motor......................................11
Lathe Operations and Maintenance .....12
Starting Procedure ......................12
Other Considerations Each Time You
Start the Lathe ..........................13
Maintenance .............................14
Cleaning ..................................14
Lubrication ...............................15
Adjustments ................................16
Carriage ..................................16
Cross Slide Gibs..........................17
Cross Slide Nut...........................17
Compound Rest Gibs ....................18
Apron Position ...........................18
Tailstock Position .......................19
Half Nuts .................................20
Lead Screw Mounting ...................20
Overview of Lathe Operations ...........21
Basic Turning.............................21
Turning Setup............................21
Manual Turning ..........................23
Turning with Auto Feed ................24
Bevel Cutting............................ 25
Screw Cutting ........................... 25
Facing .................................... 26
Turning Angles .......................... 27
Using A Lathe Chuck ...................... 27
Mounting Work in a 3-Jaw Chuck .... 27
Changing Chuck Jaws .................. 28
Grinding Tool Bits ......................... 29
How to Grind Tool Bits ................ 30
Grind the Front Relief ................. 30
Grind the Left Side Relief............. 30
Grind the Top Rake .................... 30
Round the Nose ......................... 30
Tool Post ................................... 31
Adjusting Tool Bit Height ............. 31
Quick Change Tool Post ............... 31
Changing Gears for Cutting Threads ... 32
Gear Chart for Cutting Imperial
Threads (Inch) .......................... 34
Gear Chart for Cutting Metric Threads
(mm) ..................................... 34
Threading Dial .......................... 35
Threading Dial Divisions ............... 35
Threading Process ...................... 36
Tool Bits ................................. 36
Compound Angle........................ 37
Setting the Cutting Tool............... 37
Optional Accessories...................... 38
Common Accessories................... 38
Tooling Packages ....................... 39
Replacement Parts........................ 39
Parts drawing Model 1012 ............... 40
Parts List Model 1012..................... 41
Parts drawing Model 1014 ............... 43
Parts List Model 1014..................... 44
Wiring Diagram (100-120V) .............. 45

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Mini Lathe Specifications
The following specifications apply to both the 7" x 12" lathe (model #1012) and the 7" x
14" lathe (model #1014). Naturally the distance between centers and weights are model
specific.
Swing over bed 7.1" (180 mm)
Swing over saddle 4.3" (110 mm)
Between centers
Model: #1012 11.81" (300 mm)
Model: #1014 13.78" (350 mm)
Spindle taper Morse taper 3
Tailstock taper Morse taper 2
Spindle bore 0.79" (20 mm)
Cross slide travel 2.56" (65 mm)
Compound rest travel 2.17" (55 mm)
Spindle speed 100-2500 RPM
Low 100-1100 RPM (±10%)
High 100-2500 RPM (±10%)
Lead Screw Pitch 16 TPI
Feed rate 0.004" (0.1 mm) / revolution
Dial Graduations 1.0 mm
Range of threads 12-52 TPI (0.3-8 mm)
Power requirements 120 V 60 Hz 5 Amps
Spindle motor output 0.34 hp (250 Watts)
Machine Weight
Model: #1012 80 lbs (36 kg)
Model: #1014 86 lbs (39 kg)
Crated Weight
Model: #1012 110 lbs (50 kg)
Model: #1014 119 lbs (54 kg)

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Safety Considerations
Always use common sense when using a power tool. Besides the general safety rules for
any power tool, following also are specific considerations for the mini lathe.
General Safety
•Use common sense. Think through the results of your actions before you act.
•Understand the operation of the machine. Do not operate the machine if you do not know
what is going to happen.
•Learn, don’t experiment. Study, understand, and do things where you have a clear
expectation of the outcome. Don’t "see what will happen".
•You are responsible for your own actions. LittleMachineShop.com cannot held responsible
for your actions when you use the machine.
Lathe Safety
•Your mini lathe is just that, a mini, or small lathe. Don’t attempt jobs that are beyond its
capacity.
•Check the workpiece after you place it in the chuck or other work holding device. Be sure
it is secure before turning on the lathe.
•Don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry when operating the lathe.
•Stop the spindle and make sure the machine is in a safe condition before:
oOpening or removing safety shields
oReaching into work area
oChanging or adjusting tools
oChanging or adjusting workpieces
oChanging speed ranges
oClearing chips or coolant
•Inspect cutting tools for sharpness, chips, and cracks before each use. Replace dull,
chipped, or cracked cutting tools immediately.
•Handle cutting tools with care. Cutting edges are very sharp and can cause lacerations.
•Do not use unbalanced workpieces or fixtures in the spindle
•Remove all tools (wrenches, chuck keys, locking pins, etc.) from the spindle immediately
after using them.
Electrical Safety
•Plug the machine into a grounded receptacle. Note that the machine does not work
properly on a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle.
•Ensure that all components are properly grounded. The easiest way to ensure this is to
plug your machines and devices into grounded outlets that you have tested.
•Use caution when using liquids and electricity. Ensure that coolants and lubricants are
kept away from high voltage electrical components.
•Disconnect all components from the power receptacle before servicing.
•In the event of a power outage, turn off all components to ensure that the machine does
not restart unexpectedly.

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Machine Safety
•Keep bystanders, children, and visitors a safe distance away while operating any power
tool.
•Read the manual. Know the operation of every control before you attempt any operation
of the machine.
•Make sure that all guards are in place and functioning before operating the machine.
•Check for damage and abnormal wear before operating the machine.
•Always wear safety glasses (side shields are recommended) that are ANSI Z87.1-2003
compliant.
•Wear hearing protection (ear plugs or earmuffs) when operating loud machines.
•Wear appropriate clothing, no rings, gloves, neckties, jewelry, or loose-fitting garments.
Bind long hair or wear a hat.
•Do not use compressed air for cleaning machines. A shop vacuum works well and is much
safer.
•Don’t operate machinery while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
•Ensure that your machines are well lit. Ensure that your shop is well lit and have
additional task lighting where appropriate.
•Maintain a clean and uncluttered work area.
•Avoid pinch points.
•Never leave a running machine unattended.
•Do not force or overload machinery.
•Use appropriate cutting tools with appropriate feeds and speed.
•Cutting tools get hot during use and can cause burns if handled inappropriately.
•Do not attempt to use workpieces that are too large or too heavy for the machine.
•Maintain your machines. Ensure that it is well-adjusted and in a safe state.
•Clear chips with a brush or other tool, never with your hands or with compressed air.
•Make sure the machine is on a flat, level surface that can support the weight of the
machine plus fixtures, vise, and workpiece.
•Clamp work securely. Cutting forces are significant and can turn workpieces that are not
secured into projectiles.
•Be aware that chips and dust from some materials (magnesium, for example) are
flammable. Understand the materials you are using.

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Unpacking & Preparing for Use
Upon receipt, carefully unpack the lathe and inspect to ensure that no damage was
suffered in transit and to account for all parts. Should any damage be apparent, or parts
are missing, please contact LittleMachineShop.com immediately [phone].
The following accessories come with the mini lathe.
1. Change gears: 30,35,40(2),45,50,55,57,60 and 65 teeth
2. Outside jaws for the 3-Jaw chuck
3. Chuck key for the 3-Jaw chuck
4. MT2 dead center
5. Oil can (plastic)
6. Hex wrenches: 3, 4, 5 and 6 mm
7. Open end wrenches: 8 x 10 mm and 14 x 17 mm
8. 8x8 mm Cutter (DIN4980R)
9. 6 mm drill
10. SANOU drill chuck, 1/2" with 2MT shaft arbor
11. Spare fuse (not shown)
12. 4 rubber feet (not shown)
Initial Cleaning
Your lathe will arrive coated with grease to protect it from corrosion during shipment.
Follow this procedure to remove the grease:
1. Wipe most of the grease off with rags or paper towels.
2. Clean the surfaces with mineral spirits (paint thinner) or denatured alcohol.
3. Coat the surfaces with oil.
See 'Lubrication' for specific recommendations for lubricants.
Mini Lathe Assembly
You will notice that, for transit purposes, the cross slide feed handle (#16) has been
mounted in reverse. Remove it, by unscrewing the hex socket head screw securing it, and
mount it the correct way round. Then turn all feed handles to ensure they move freely,
evenly, and smoothly.
Attach the handles to the rims of the manual feed and tailstock feed hand wheels
respectively, ensuring the bolts is tighten and the handle sleeve can free rotating.
The carriage/saddle, cross slide and compound rest adjustments are all factory set to
ensure smooth movement in both directions. However, if the adjustments have been
upset during transit (indicated by stiff or erratic movement), refer to 'Settings and
Adjustments' for the methods of adjustment.

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All hex keys and wrench necessary to carry out the various adjustments are supplied
together with a chuck key for the 3-Jaw chuck and a spare fuse. The fuse holder is
located on the main control panel.
The four rubber feet should be attached to the underside of the bed, using the four M6
head screws, in the tapped holes provided. These screws are also used to secure the chip
tray. We strongly recommend that, to provide maximum stability and additional safety,
you secure the lathe to a firm foundation as described under 'Mounting the lathe'.
The three external jaws for the 3-Jaw self-centering chuck, extend the capacity of the
chuck, and are discussed in greater detail under 'Accessories'.
Mounting the Lathe
The lathe should be mounted on a sturdy workbench of sufficient height so that you do
not need to bend your back to perform normal operations. The lathe is very heavy. With
an assistant, lift it onto a sturdy surface or workbench. Remove all traces of preservative
with a good quality solvent. then lightly oil all machined surfaces.
Provide adequate overhead lighting so that you will not be working in your own shadow.
We strongly recommend that the machine be firmly bolted to a sturdy workbench using
the tapped holes used to secure the feet to the lathe. This is to provide added stability
and consequently, safety.
To do this, remove the four M6 screws which secure the rubber feet and chip tray to the
machine (if already fitted) and discard the feet. Drill four 10 mm clearance holes in the
bench top at the dimensions shown in the diagram at right and, with appropriate length
M6 bolts or screws with flat washers (not supplied), secure the lathe to the worktop
ensuring the chip tray is in place.
If you do not wish to permanently mount your lathe to your bench, an alternate method
is to secure the lathe to a 18 mm thick plywood board with a minimum recommended
dimension of 800x400 mm, the mounting holes being centered on the board. When the
lathe is in use, the board should be clamped to workbench using C-clamps.

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Mini Lathe Components
Legend
1.
Headstock
15.
Automatic Feed Lever
2. Spindle
16. Cross Slide Feed Handle
4. 3-Jaw Chuck
17. Apron
5.
Tool Post
18.
Manual (Saddle) Feed Handle
6. Cross Slide
19. Leadscrew
7.
Compound Rest
20.
Motor Brush Cap
8. Tail-stock Center
21. Fuse Box
9. Tail-stock
22. Running Gear Cover
10.
Tail-stock Securing Nut
23.
Variable Speed Control Knob
11. Ways (bed or rail)
24. Forward/Off/Reverse Switch
12. Right leadscrew bracket
25. Emergency Stop Switch
13.
Compound Rest Feed Handle
26.
High/Low Speed Range Lever
14. Threading Dial Indicator
27. Leadscrew Forward/Neutral/Reverse Lever

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Headstock
The motor provides a direct drive to the spindle via an internal tooth type belt. Spindle
speed is variable and is regulated by the speed control knob (23). Located on the main
control panel.
The spindle is provided with an internal No. 3 Morse taper to accommodate a center for
use with a face plate or turning clamp.
The 3-jaw self-centering chuck (4) is mounted on the spindle flange. The standard size is
80 mm. Visit LittleMachineShop.com to view 4-jaw lathe chucks and other accessories.
To remove the chuck, simply remove the three securing nuts to the rear of the flange
allowing it to be pulled free together with the three mounting studs.
Three external jaws are also supplied which extend the capacity of the chuck. Their uses
and method of assembly is described in 'Using A Lathe Chuck'.
The spindle has 6 holes drilled in its flange to accommodate a range of fixtures such as a
face plate, 4-jaw chuck etc. (See 'Optional Accessories').
Gear Drive
The drive and change gears are protected by a cover (22), which is removed by
unscrewing the two securing hex screws.
The change gears, shown in Fig. 2. drive the lead screw. The lead screw acts as a worm
and by operating the auto feed lever (15), which engages a nut with the lead screw, drive
is transmitted to the carriage/saddle and consequently the cutting tool; thereby
providing a power feed for thread cutting or general turning operations. The rotational
speed of the lead screw, and hence the rate of feed of the cutting tool, is determined by
the gear configuration. This is explained in greater detail under 'Changing Gears for
Cutting Threads'.
The drive to the lead screw may be disconnected by operating the
forward/neutral/reverse lever (27). And the same lever is used to drive the lead screw in
a forward or reverse direction.