home made lathe WIP

[thefixer]

I have been working on this little contraption for a few months now, should have taken more progress pics but got caught up in the moment.
The timber base, tail stock and spindle support are made from 45mm KD hardwood off cuts that were given to me as prospective firewood. The spindle is an armature with sealed bearings from an old 3 phase motor and the driving force is a hoover washing machine motor. The other bits were leftovers from the GMC lathe after I recomissioned it as a disc sander.The base was routed out with 3 channels and the tailstock routed to fit. As you can see from pics the alignment is near perfect. All that is left to do is machine the end of the spindle and thread it to take a chuck of some sort and set up a tool rest. Once complete I hope to have nice little pen lathe.
Cost so far $0.00.
I know I could buy a small lathe to do same for around $250.00 but where is the challenge in that.:rolleyes:
P.S there is no flex in the base and the tailstock is more than sturdy enough to take the pressure required for a pen mandrill.

Cheers
Shorty

[lubbing5cherubs]

Shorty good on you. YOu have done a top job
Toni

[watson]

Shorty.....well done! :2tsup:

I never go to the pen turning forum, but I'm glad I did...a good bit of ingenuity.
Love the cost factor!!

[thefixer]

Shorty good on you. YOu have done a top job
Toni


Thanx toni. Who knows, if this thing works I may give up the big stuff
and become a pen addict as well. On second thoughts, NAAAAAAAH:wink:

Cheers
Shorty

[triden]

:2tsup:That's a classic, your a genius.

[joe greiner]

Very good, Shorty. Looks nice and stout. Shouldn't wander at all.

Joe

[lubbing5cherubs]

Thanx toni. Who knows, if this thing works I may give up the big stuff
and become a pen addict as well. On second thoughts, NAAAAAAAH:wink:

Cheers
Shorty


TIME WILL TELL.:p :D It starts off inocently just one pen oh I make one more but than another idea come and another and before you know you are hooked.:D
Toni

[Article99]

I am not taking the Mickey, I've looked at that first photo four times now... I reckon the centre's higher... :sorry2:

[thefixer]

TIME WILL TELL.:p :D It starts off inocently just one pen oh I make one more but than another idea come and another and before you know you are hooked.:D
Toni


I looked at your web site. WOW!!!. If this lathe works any near as well as I would like it is gunna have to do a lot of work before it gets anywhere near that quality and skill level.:2tsup: Bewdiful stuff.

Cheers
Shorty

[thefixer]

I am not taking the Mickey, I've looked at that first photo four times now... I reckon the centre's higher... :sorry2:


Only four times :( I did say near perfect.:p Still; better aligned than my bought lathe. Tried a couple of pens on it but it has too much play in headstock and tail stock. Heres hoping.

Cheers
Shorty

[lubbing5cherubs]

I looked at your web site. WOW!!!. If this lathe works any near as well as I would like it is gunna have to do a lot of work before it gets anywhere near that quality and skill level.:2tsup: Bewdiful stuff.

Cheers
Shorty

Thank you very much:D I told you it just one more than another idea comes along:doh: :D
Toni

[rsser]

Full marks for effort.

The trouble with 'real' wood though is it moves and you may well find your bed alternating between stuck and sloppy.

Laminating up bits of ply is more stable.

[thefixer]

Full marks for effort.

The trouble with 'real' wood though is it moves and you may well find your bed alternating between stuck and sloppy.

Laminating up bits of ply is more stable.

G'day rsser

I reckon a good sanding and a few coats of sealer and lacquer will keep it pretty stable.

Cheers
Shorty

[Gil Jones]

Shorty, your pen lathe is a real fine piece of work!
I will be interested in how it works when you are finished with it.

[hcbph]

Very impressive. Looks like it was quite a job.

Paul