Converting a Manual Lathe for Gun Drilling
A manual lathe can be converted for gun drilling with the right equipment. The conversion costs a fraction of a dedicated machine but comes with real limitations. I’ve done this conversion on a 14-inch Colchester lathe and gotten usable results. The main requirements are a through-coolant toolholder, a high-pressure coolant system, and a guide bushing support. The toolholder mounts on the lathe carriage and holds the gun drill. The coolant system delivers fluid through the tool at the required pressure. The guide bushing supports the drill at the workpiece entry. ...