Sherline

Sherline is a machine tool builder founded in Australia and currently headquartered in Vista, California, USA. It builds miniature machine tools (microlathes and micromills) and a wide range of tooling to be used on them. Within the miniature segment of the machine tool industry, Sherline is one of the most widely known brands. According to Sherline, their line of OEM accessories (chucks, vises, rotary tables, and so on) is more comprehensive than that of any other builder of machine tools, regardless of machine size.
Sherline tools are often used by hobbyists for making nearly any kind of part that can be machined, as long as it fits within a miniature machine tool's limits of slide travel. Sherline's products are also used by industry. They provide an inexpensive way to build custom tooling using modular components (XY tables, machine slides, etc.).
Sherline's sales are global.
* 3/4" x 16 TPI for compatible tooling
Tailstock
* Morse Taper 0 is most common, but Morse Taper 1 is available.
T-Slot
Sherline T slots are 1.5" on center between slots and have the following dimensions:
Slot width, top: .25″
T width, bottom: .40″
Upper slot depth: .10″
T Slot depth: .10″
(Total depth: .20″)
They are usually threaded to 10-32.
Dovetails
Note that Sherline dovetails are 55.5* instead of a more common 55* or 60* dovetail.
History
Sherline's history begins in the late 1960s when Australian engineer Harold Clisby developed a compact lathe under the product line "Sherline 1000" that was revolutionary for hobbyists and small-scale machinists. This lathe design caught the attention of Ron Sher, who began manufacturing it under the Sherline name. The company was then established in the United States in 1974 by Joe Martin, who recognized the potential of these machines in the growing hobbyist market. He also bemoaned the lack of regidity found in the Unimat Over the years, Sherline expanded its product line to include milling machines and CNC systems.
 
< Prev   Next >