Get yourself a "zeuss" book fella,only about £3 in book shops,eBay etc,gives you loads of info about speeds and feeds etc,conversions,drill sizes for tapping,machine sizing got die cutting,best investment for any machinist.

Lathes are a bit like welding,practice makes perfect.grab an old miller now and you'll be able to fab near enough anything!!!!

I used to love making gearknobs on the lathe on my apprenticeship then buffing fuck out of them with microfine paper,mirror finish then with brasso!!!!

Get a bollocking then for putting your hand in with a rag on the lathe!!don't leave the chuck key in either,3 strikes and out rule on my apprenticeship for that!!!!

I've got a real of microfibre tape I'm unlikely to use if you want it sent,be about £2 postage?