reuelt
9th November 2003, 08:39 AM
I just made a "rail-platform" using a 150 x 400 x 25 mm wood, 4 1/4" by 75mm screws, 28 1/4" half nuts, and 8 bearings from Kmart roller skates spare (only $12 for 16 bearings).
The position of the bearings of the "rail-platform" are adjusted using the nuts so that they lock tightly and accurately between the two pipes of my lathe and so the wooden platform can glide smoothly between the headstock and tailstock.
I then put my 100mm X-Y table (from my drill-press - cost $80) on that "rail-platform" and carefully align it at say 45 deg from the lathe centre and imagine what I can do with my lathe - minus the old fashioned tool rest.
1. I can now cut perfect cylinders by simply gliding the rail-platform. "smoothing-out" rather than "roughing- out"
2. I can cut 45 deg (or any other angle I want) by repositioning and winding the x-y table.
3. I could experiment with the truth of how to best hold my turning tools manually by just using the vise of the X-Y table to grip my std. gouge, skew etc - based on hints from training couses and books.
4. I could test TCT cutters.
5. I could grip my Dramel (or small router) on the X-Y table to make indexed groves at any angle along the cylinder.
6. I could grip parts for accurate drilling using the drill-chuck mounted at the head-stock of the lathe.
7. I could make accurate diameters because of the x-y table.
8. I could grip a sanding block or cylinder to sand my work on the lathe.
9. your ideas...
A challege to woodturning Forum members.
Lets all improve the usefulness of our wood lathe with minimal extra costs..
Over to you..
The position of the bearings of the "rail-platform" are adjusted using the nuts so that they lock tightly and accurately between the two pipes of my lathe and so the wooden platform can glide smoothly between the headstock and tailstock.
I then put my 100mm X-Y table (from my drill-press - cost $80) on that "rail-platform" and carefully align it at say 45 deg from the lathe centre and imagine what I can do with my lathe - minus the old fashioned tool rest.
1. I can now cut perfect cylinders by simply gliding the rail-platform. "smoothing-out" rather than "roughing- out"
2. I can cut 45 deg (or any other angle I want) by repositioning and winding the x-y table.
3. I could experiment with the truth of how to best hold my turning tools manually by just using the vise of the X-Y table to grip my std. gouge, skew etc - based on hints from training couses and books.
4. I could test TCT cutters.
5. I could grip my Dramel (or small router) on the X-Y table to make indexed groves at any angle along the cylinder.
6. I could grip parts for accurate drilling using the drill-chuck mounted at the head-stock of the lathe.
7. I could make accurate diameters because of the x-y table.
8. I could grip a sanding block or cylinder to sand my work on the lathe.
9. your ideas...
A challege to woodturning Forum members.
Lets all improve the usefulness of our wood lathe with minimal extra costs..
Over to you..