LittleMachineShop.com HiTorque 5100 User manual

The premier source of tooling, parts, and accessories for bench top machinists.
HiTorque 7x16 Mini Lathe Users Guide
Model 5100 • Model 7350 Deluxe
from LittleMachineShop.com

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© Copyright 2019 LittleMachineShop.com
All rights reserved.
Photos © Copyright 2019 PhotoBoost.com
All rights reserved.
Written by Chris Wood of LittleMachineShop.com
Revision 2, August 2019
LittleMachineShop.com
https://www.littlemachineshop.com
396 W. Washington Blvd. #500, Pasadena, CA 91103
[phone] • Fax [phone]

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Contents
Introduction ................................................................................5
Specifications ..............................................................................5
Safety Considerations .....................................................................6
General Safety...........................................................................6
Lathe Safety .............................................................................6
Electrical Safety.........................................................................6
Machine Safety ..........................................................................7
Features.....................................................................................8
Front View ...............................................................................8
Rear View ................................................................................9
Accessories .................................................................................9
Cleaning ................................................................................... 10
Assembly .................................................................................. 10
Mounting Your Lathe .................................................................... 10
Operating Controls ...................................................................... 11
Motor Controls......................................................................... 11
Power Feed Forward/Neutral/Reverse Lever ..................................... 12
Power Feed Lever ..................................................................... 12
Carriage Hand Wheel ................................................................. 12
Cross Slide Feed Handle.............................................................. 13
Compound Rest Feed Handle ........................................................ 13
Digital Position Readout (Model 7350 only) ....................................... 13
Compound Rest Rotation............................................................. 14
Tailstock Locking Lever .............................................................. 15
Tailstock Quill Hand Wheel .......................................................... 15
Tailstock Quill Digital Position Readout (Model 7350 only) ..................... 15
Tailstock Quill Locking Lever........................................................ 15
Adjustments .............................................................................. 15
Carriage ................................................................................ 16
Cross Slide Gibs........................................................................ 16
Cross Slide Nut ........................................................................ 17
Compound Rest Gibs.................................................................. 18
Apron Position ......................................................................... 18
Tailstock Position ..................................................................... 18
Half Nuts ............................................................................... 19
Lead Screw Mounting ................................................................. 20
Drive Belt............................................................................... 20

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Maintenance .............................................................................. 21
Cleaning ................................................................................ 21
Lubrication ............................................................................. 21
Changing Chuck Jaws.................................................................... 23
Mounting Work in a 3-Jaw Chuck ...................................................... 24
Grinding Tool Bits........................................................................ 24
How to Grind Tool Bits ............................................................... 26
Grind the Front Relief ................................................................ 26
Grind the Left Side Relief............................................................ 26
Grind the Top Rake ................................................................... 26
Round the Nose........................................................................ 26
Adjusting Tool Bit Height ............................................................... 27
Turning .................................................................................... 27
Manual Turning ........................................................................ 27
Turning with Power Feed ............................................................ 28
Facing ..................................................................................... 29
Turning Angles ........................................................................... 30
Cutting Threads .......................................................................... 30
Change Gears .......................................................................... 31
Threading Dial ......................................................................... 34
Tool Bit ................................................................................. 35
Compound Angle ...................................................................... 36
Setting the Cutting Tool ............................................................. 36
Threading Process..................................................................... 37
Common Accessories .................................................................... 38
Cut-Off Tool Holder................................................................... 38
Quick Change Tool Post .............................................................. 38
Indexable Turning Tools.............................................................. 39
4-Jaw Chuck ........................................................................... 39
Faceplate............................................................................... 40
Centers and Dogs...................................................................... 40
Steady Rest and Follower Rest ...................................................... 41
Parts Diagram ............................................................................ 42
Parts List .................................................................................. 43
DRO Parts............................................................................... 46
Wiring Diagram........................................................................... 47

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Introduction
This user’s guide covers care and operation of the LittleMachineShop.com
HiTorque 7x16 Mini Lathe. Be sure to read and understand the safety guidelines
presented in this book before using your HiTorque Mini Lathe.
The HiTorque 7x16 Mini Lathe is available in two models:
•Model 5100 is the standard version.
•Model 7350 is the deluxe version. It includes all the features of Model
5100 and adds:
oDigital position readouts (DRO) on compound rest, cross slide, and
tailstock
oMetal hand wheels and chrome levers
oQuick change tool post (QCTP) set with five tool holders
Chris’ Tip: You can upgrade your Model 5100 lathe with the following kits
available from LittleMachineShop.com:
•Part number 5675: Digital Position Readout, 2-Axis Mini Lathe
•Part number 5879: Digital Position Readout, Mini Lathe Tailstock
•Part number 3937: Knob and Hand Wheel Kit
•Part number 3112: Quick Change Tool Post Set, 0XA, Mini Lathe
Installation of all four kits creates a machine that is functionally identical to a
Model 7350 deluxe lathe.
Specifications
Swing over bed
7.1" (180 mm)
Swing over saddle
4.3" (110 mm)
Between centers
16.1" (410 mm)
Spindle taper
Morse taper 3
Tailstock taper
Morse taper 2
Spindle bore
0.8" (20 mm)
Cross slide travel
2.6" (65 mm)
Compound rest travel
2.2" (55 mm)
Spindle speed
50–2500 RPM
Automatic feed rate
0.004" (0.1 mm)/ revolution
Range of threads
4-80 TPI (0.3-8 mm)
Power requirements
120 V 60 Hz 8 Amps
Spindle motor output
0.67 hp (500 Watts)

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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. We can’t be 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, and so on) 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.

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•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.
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 ear muffs) 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 two 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.

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•Make sure the machine is on a flat, level surface that is capable of
supporting 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.
Features
Front View
1. Motor controls
2. Headstock
3. 3-jaw chuck
4. Carriage
5. Cross slide
6. Tool post
7. Compound rest
8. Compound rest feed handle
9. Tailstock quill
10.Tailstock quill locking lever
11.Tailstock locking lever
12.Tailstock quill hand wheel
13.Change gear cover
14.Carriage hand wheel
15.Apron
16.Cross slide feed handle
17.Power feed lever
18.Threading dial
19.Bed ways
20.Lead screw
15
13
1
3
7
16
17
6
8
19
20
11
14
12
10
9
5
4
2
18

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Rear View
Accessories
The following accessories come with the HiTorque Mini Lathe.
•Chuck key for the 3-jaw chuck
•Outside jaws for the 3-jaw chuck
•Change gears: 21, 30, 35, 40 (2),
45, 50, 55, 57, 60, and 65 teeth
•Hex wrenches: 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm
•Open end wrenches: 8 x 10 mm
and 14 x 17 mm
•#2 Morse taper dead center
•Oil can (plastic)
Power feed forward/
neutral/reverse lever

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Cleaning
Your lathe will arrive coated with heavy oil to protect it from corrosion during
shipment. Wipe off any excess with rags or paper towels, but leave a light
coating in place.
See “Lubrication”on page 21 for specific recommendations for lubricants.
Assembly
There are two things to do to assemble your lathe.
1. Reverse the chrome crank handle on the cross slide.
2. Install the mounting feet and spreader bars on the lathe. Use the M6 socket
head cap screws that are furnished. Instead of installing the mounting feet,
you may wish to mount your lathe to a bench as described in the next
section.
Mounting Your Lathe
The HiTorque Mini Lathe comes with rubber feet and spreader bars that attach
to the same holes used to secure the lathe for shipping. If you want your lathe
to be portable, simply install these spreader bars and feet.
You can also bolt your lathe to your workbench. The following diagram shows
the holes required.
Mount the lathe to the workbench with M6 bolts. The bolts should be about 0.4"
(10 mm) longer than the thickness of the workbench. Use fender washers on