From:
"John VanCamp" <jvcstnwrks@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>
Date:
Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:20:12 -0600
Subject:
Feasability of a Big Lathe?
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Klassen" <jaklassen2001@------------ >
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 9:40 PM
Subject: [stone] Feasability of a Big Lathe?
Quoted text begins.What is the maximum length to diameter that stone could be
turned to?
Where to get the stone precut to those dimensions?
Is there a market for big stone columns?
What would the columns be worth?
Safety?
Who's the competition?
Technically "How to do it?"
End of quote.
John. Don't know where you are located, --however all of the
local stone mills here in Central Texas have lathes for turning
both column shafts and balusters, and I suspect the same is
still true at the Indiana stone mills. I also know of one small
carving shop that has one and a neighbor has two set up in his
back yard where he does some subcontract work. One of the local
mills has a lathe they picked up from a company in Indiana that
can turn 7 foot plus diameter in lengths up to about 18 feet.
Thing was used to turn a lot of the column shafts on the older
turn of the century state and federal buildings. Usually, the
bigger diameter pieces are not in long lengths because of the
weight factor. A limestone block as big as what that lathes
maximum dimensional capabilities would weigh in the
neighborhood of 124,000 pounds ( thats 62 tons), and not many
quarries would be able to get out blocks of that size. Also in
long pieces like that, the bedding would be wrong for optimum
strength. Although most stone has high compressive strength
numbers and can handle a structural load, most modern
construction requires steel in side the stone so column shafts
are either split and hollowed to accommodate the steel and
wraped around the steel leaving a vetical joint on both sides,
or cored and slipped down over the steel.
To answer some of your other questions.
Yes there is a market, and your competition would be any stone
mill with a column lathe. These same mills could produce you a
sawed 6 side block for stock. As for cost, I am currently
paying anywhere from 40 to 65 dollars a cubic foot for sawed 6
side material. Off of the lathe prices start at about 100.00
per cubic foot. Sandstone and marble can also be worked by
these same machines, but I'm thinking granite would require some
different tooling, and water. The mills use water for the saws,
but work stone dry on machines like planers and lathes. Oh, and
like with every thing else, it is becoming vertually impossible
to compete economically with the stuff coming out of Asia, if
bottom line is all the customer is looking at.
Short answer, yes it can be done and is, so if you want to --
GO FOR IT!!
Good luck,
John VanCamp / JVC Stoneworks
- References
- message 00683: Feasability of a Big Lathe? - John Klassen (23 Mar 2005)
- Previous by Thread: message 00686: Feasability of a Big Lathe? - Simon Brown (23 Mar 2005)
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