High precision air bearing CNC lathe and grinder

Dan Gelbart2 HN recommenders · 2019–2025
646K views · demo · evergreen · Uploaded 2015-03-06

Dan Gelbart shows his home-built air bearing CNC lathe and grinder, which reaches about 1 micron accuracy. He demonstrates the machine and its parts.

Cited as a marvel of absurd precision in home-built machine tools, and a pointer to Gelbart's other videos.

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5 comments from Hacker News

@hlieberman2019 · in “Kern Microtechnik: Accurate CNC Machines [video]”

For a slightly more accurate CNC lathe and grinding machine (1 micron) that can be made "at home": [VIDEO]

@paypalcust832020 · in “Hand Scraping a Truly Flat Plane (1908) [pdf]”

It's interesting to get more precise and accurate machines out of the ones came before. These days, if you want to get milling and grinding down to 1 micron without lapping using only your own expertise and some parts from eBay (air bearings and precision-ground slabs): [VIDEO] The creator (Dan Gelbart) demonstrates nitrogen-tight parts without bearings, and claims zero wear or lubrication needs. #AvEclub

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@SAI_Peregrinus2020 · in “FAA issues emergency directive on 2,000 Boeing 737 NG, Classic planes”

Nanotech Systems (Moore's current name) make a high-precision drum lathe with 1nm positioning precision, with a 2600mm working area [1]. 1 part in 2,600,000,000. Dan Gelbart built his own lathe with <1µm final part tolerance [2]. Within a few thousandths of an inch isn't very impressive. I can hold 1 thou on a cheap manual lathe (Grizzly G0602 10"x22" working area), with a decent amount of care. Holding to tenths (1/10000") is impossible with the equipment I can afford though. [1] [LINK] [2] [VIDEO]

@hi-v-rocknroll2024 · in “My Homemade Metal Lathe Project”

If you enjoy absurd precision and accuracy, have a look at Dan Gelbart's older videos where he fabricobbles together a custom milling machine and grinder with air bearings that can work parts down to 1 micron. No lapping needed. [VIDEO] PS: More power to the professors who go into business and reach "F everyone money". [LINK]

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@Joel_Mckay2025 · in “Building the most accurate DIY CNC lathe in the world [video]”

Most do not understand how difficult these machines are to handle, but there are some completed specialty CNC builds around. "High precision air bearing CNC lathe and grinder" (Dan Gelbart) [VIDEO] Cylo's Garage spent a lot of time exploring these designs. =3