Thread: GMC Lathe modifying

Even the GMC manual doesn't specify the headstock spindle thread size? GMC Motorised Wood Turning Lathe Owner's Manual | ManualsOnline.com I can't even remember if they have a morse taper?? (some suspect advice in the manual to btw)

One option is a Collett chuck that you can mount the pen mandrel shaft into. http://vermec.tripod.com/PDFs/ER32_Page.pdf is one type that will fit to a headstock spindle rather that a morse taper & comes in a range of std spindle threads. You could possible use it on your next lathe or purchase a second body. Also an internet search of ER25 or ER32 Collets will bring up a range of other options from other manufacturers.

I think you could be in for a fair bit of frustration with this little lathe though as turning pen tubes will highlight any short commings very quickly. If you can tweak it to get it running true you should have plenty of rewarding fun.

The best modification for a GMC lathe is to cut the bars of and turn it into a faceplate sander.

Buy a woodfast midi lathe and solve all your problems instead of wasting money on something that does not really do what you want to do.

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

The best modification for a GMC lathe is to cut the bars of and turn it into a faceplate sander.

Buy a woodfast midi lathe and solve all your problems instead of wasting money on something that does not really do what you want to do.

I'd agree with all of that Jim.

The best way to fix a GMC lathe is with an oxy torch.

Cheers

Tim

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

The best modification for a GMC lathe is to cut the bars of and turn it into a faceplate sander.

Buy a woodfast midi lathe and solve all your problems instead of wasting money on something that does not really do what you want to do.

.

If I had the money I would!

I have seen videos of mandrels mounted into chucks and spun that way, but I don't have the chuck to use!.

I have Spun a piece of timber between centers that was turned on a Better (Vicmarc) lathe and it seems to run quite true. Again Im not aiming for perfection just a solution,

Thanks

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

Even the GMC manual doesn't specify the headstock spindle thread size? GMC Motorised Wood Turning Lathe Owner's Manual | ManualsOnline.com I can't even remember if they have a morse taper?? (some suspect advice in the manual to btw)

One option is a Collett chuck that you can mount the pen mandrel shaft into. http://vermec.tripod.com/PDFs/ER32_Page.pdf is one type that will fit to a headstock spindle rather that a morse taper & comes in a range of std spindle threads. You could possible use it on your next lathe or purchase a second body. Also an internet search of ER25 or ER32 Collets will bring up a range of other options from other manufacturers.

I think you could be in for a fair bit of frustration with this little lathe though as turning pen tubes will highlight any short commings very quickly. If you can tweak it to get it running true you should have plenty of rewarding fun.

.

Thanks Moby,
Very helpful! although a little pricey. Im not too keen to spend more than like 40-50 bucks to get it to run as any more than that would definitely be a waste of money,

Looks like i might have to put the dream away for a few more months to try to save for a better lathe

One thing, you'll learn a lot as you try to get the best out of it.

Originally Posted by Beedeejay

.

Thanks Moby,
Very helpful! although a little pricey. Im not too keen to spend more than like 40-50 bucks to get it to run as any more than that would definitely be a waste of money,

Looks like i might have to put the dream away for a few more months to try to save for a better lathe

Another possible solution is to go to your local bolts supply place and buy a couple of nuts to match your spindle thread. Recess a nut into a small face plate block with epoxy and carefully drill a hole to match your pen mandrel spindle & go from there. Again possible but fraught with frustration getting it accurate.

Yeah it looks as though I won't be turning anything For a while, it would have been good if there a was simple option, so at least I could play around with different shapes and finishes while trying my hand at different styles of pens... Oh well, one day

As Moby says get a nut to fit the spindle and have it welded to the centre of a disc of steel say 150mm dia by 6mm thick get it put in a metal lathe and trued up for balence and the face the cos should be in the range of what you want to spend .Now you have a faceplate for your lathe to make a fitting for the pen mandrle srew a block the length of the taper plus a bitt to the face plate and turn your own taper into it,no cost just a piece of hard wood ,pays to have a locating mark on the faceplate so you can remove you jig and use it to turn lots of other things ,small bowls or platers hope this makes sence .

Cheers Ian

Best bet would be to go down to your local wood turning club, the Gold Coast Woodturners at Mudgeeraba Gold Coast Woodturners Inc. - Night Club | Facebook

They can help you learn how to turn, even have a decent cheap lathe for sale from time to time.

Cheers

[QUOTE=ian thorn;1599818]As Moby says get a nut to fit the spindle and have it welded to the centre of a disc of steel say 150mm dia by 6mm thick get it put in a metal lathe and trued up for balence and the face the cos should be in the range of what you want to spend ].

Only problem is I don't know anyone with a metal lathe, would a piece of hardwood do for a face plate if it was turned flat? And then then turned flat

.[Now you have a faceplate for your lathe to make a fitting for the pen mandrle srew a block the length of the taper plus a bitt to the face plate and turn your own taper into it,no cost just a piece of hard wood ,pays to have a locating mark on the faceplate so you can remove you jig and use it to turn lots of other things ,small bowls or platers hope this makes sence .
Cheers Ian]

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Best bet would be to go down to your local wood turning club, the Gold Coast Woodturners at Mudgeeraba Gold Coast Woodturners Inc. - Night Club | Facebook

They can help you learn how to turn, even have a decent cheap lathe for sale from time to time.

Cheers

Yeah, I am already a member and attend regulary, but 3hrs a week isn't long enough to do what I want to do, I like to use that time to learn about other types of turning rather than just doing pens!!! I will get a decent lathe one day, then I can turn the gmc into a sander, but for the moment that isn't an option!

from memory its a 3/4 x 16 tpi thread. And the Record lathe I use is also 3/4 x 16 tpi so everything just moved over attachment wise.
Go looking for UK Record stuff, it should all fit,

Originally Posted by _fly_

from memory its a 3/4 x 16 tpi thread. And the Record lathe I use is also 3/4 x 16 tpi so everything just moved over attachment wise.
Go looking for UK Record stuff, it should all fit,

Ok I will, thanks,