making lathe ends meet

Re: making lathe ends meet

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Jason, on that particular lathe, fondly or not so fondly referred to as "the tube lathe", the adjustment is made by loosening set screws in the bottom of the headstock, then rotating the tube to line up the points.

Some turners have a bad opinion of that lathe, but I think it should work just fine for you.

Re: making lathe ends meet

Jason Dunson Todd

>thanks keith -

I figured there was some sort of way to adjust, i just couldn't find it. I think its a great lathe, because it was free! I'm not suprised that it is not one that turners would love, but given that i've just started, it will allow me to practice. I have no grand visions of turning massive burls with this thing, but we all have to start somewhere! I will give it a try. thanks again.

Re: making lathe ends meet *LINK*

Ruth Niles

>There also should be a screw at the end of the tube that you'd loosen to be able to turn the tube at the same time as doing what Keith said.

As for the lathe, I turned on a 10" swing Craftsman monotube for over 10 yrs. and loved it. Everything on the second page of turnings on my site was done on that lathe. The lathe needs to be seriously bolted to a sturdy table (I built one from rough-cut, true, 2 x 4's and put 5 cinder blocks on a shelf underneath) and that lathe did whatever I asked!


http://www.torne-lignum.com

Re: making lathe ends meet

Jason Dunson Todd

>thanks Ruth-

great stuff! of course i am most impressed with the figured wood on the first page. I've recently acquired a big chainsaw and have been scavaging various unique pieces for the future. Your work is inspiring.

Re: making lathe ends meet

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Ruth, My wife bought me a "tube" lathe in pieces at a yard sale, and brought it home in the trunk.

I had been a professional cabinet maker(and turner) since high school, I walked away from a promising career out of sheer exhaustion and frustration. Too many 18 hour days, I guess.

After 20 years away from woodworking of any sort, the dispised, rickety little Craftsman lathe brought me back. I have nothing bad to say about that machine.

Hi Ruth

MikeinCapeMay

>I see that you're the designer of my well worn and favorite turning related tee-shirt. Years back when I worked for a living I had a coffee mug on my desk "Carpe Diem", so obviously when I spotted your shirt I immediately purchased it!

Thanks!

Mike

SEIZE THE DAY

TIS ONLY IN THEIR DREAMS THAT MEN TRULY BE FREE,

'TWAS ALWAYS THUS, AND ALWAYS THUS WILL BE. -KEATING.

Re: making lathe ends meet

tek-Brunswick, Ohio

>That's the same model lathe I started on. You can do quite a bit on it. There are always bigger and better tools out there. You can learn your technique and decide if you need a different lathe after you develop your skills. The advice Keith gave you for lining up the centers is correct. I replaced the bearings when I had mine. Which cut down on the vibration I was getting. The bearings are a standard size and are available for less than 10 dollars each. I bought mine locally, but found them online also. I finally moved up to a used Nova 3000 with a variable speed DC motor. The only thing I can do on the Nova that I couldn�t do on the Craftsman is turn pieces larger than 12� diameter. You do get a lot more conveniences with a more expensive lathe. But most are not necessities unless you are turning large work. Have fun.

Tom

Re: making lathe ends meet

Jason Dunson Todd

>i think my grandfather had a 1/4 hp motor mounted for this thing, but the manual i found (owwm.com)that seems to match suggests a 1/2hp motor which i am in the process of setting up. does this seem right? Will the spindle speeds be correct with the 1/2hp motor, are there issues with running the 1/4hp motor?

Re: Hi Ruth

Ruth Niles

>Mike, and Thank You for liking and ordering my Carpe Lignum, Torne Lignum design! : ) You are in good company as there are many people on this forum wearing CLTL shirts.

It's motor RPM, not voltage, for speed.

Clem Wixted, Jonesboro, AR

>

Re: It's motor RPM, not voltage, for speed.

tek-Brunswick, Ohio

>That is true for the speed, but a 1/4 horse power motor is pretty easy to stall. If you can find a motor with more HP and the same speed as the original I'd go for it. I don't have that lathe anymore. I don't remmember if it was a 1725 or a 3450 Rpm motor. Here is some infomation if you are looking for chucks and centers and the like for that lathe. The headstock and the tailstock have #1 morse tapers and the spindle thread is 3/4" x 16 tpi. The tool post is 7/8" in diameter. Best tools makes a tool post to fit that lathe and tool rests that screw onto the post. I used them on that lathe and liked them.