duckkisser Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 im thinking of building a micro lathe that I can take too shows or to work to play with. has anyone seen good plans for building one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skunkeye Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 I've chucked stuff up in a handheld drill, clamped it to the bench and made things. Does that count? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted July 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 kind of want something little more usefull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Buy a little pen lathe? The time and effort to build a decent headstock with bearings and either a taper or threaded chuck would require a machine shop full of tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer_J Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Check out wood gears .ca I've seen some scalable stuff there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dwacker Posted July 17, 2013 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Okay....I have to ask.... Is that legit, or are you just having fun with an old blender? Either way, I find that pretty funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Okay....I have to ask.... Is that legit, or are you just having fun with an old blender? Either way, I find that pretty funny! I found the pic on the web. IIRC it was real. Not sure Id try it but is funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 I don't think I would want to try it either, but you have to hand it to whoever did it. They must have REALLY wanted to turn pens on a budget! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 I've chucked stuff up in a handheld drill, clamped it to the bench and made things. Does that count? I thought I was the only one who did this! When I was in high school, I had no access to woodworking tools. I used to chuck up dowels and plastic rod, and mess around for hours turning with different Xacto blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I turned a couple of knobs on my drill press when my lathe was out of commission . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted July 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTHw15Hsj3U http://www.amazon.com/PSI-Woodworking-LCM18X-Micro-Lathe/dp/B000REUBQ2 would like to get a micro check attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted July 19, 2013 Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 I think I saw him back in the sixties. He obviously hasn't stopped using his bong. If you make one of those, Duck, make sure you get all the wobble out of it or your end products will look like his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted July 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 definitely the process Is the same just with better tools and machines equipment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudetes Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 never thought about building a personal small lathe but i find it quite interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles11we Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 I find my small pen turning lathe small and light enough to take places and fool around. I have been thinking about getting a small metal lathe and possibly building a micro one but thats more for the work im getting into than my ability to carry them around. What do you plan on using it for? Because if its anything of decent size i would stray away from anything not cast iron for the mass but if its just pens and small dia. stuff i dont see why a drill wouldnt work. I remember seeing in a grizzly catalog they had a set of rails, tail stock and tool rest specifically meant to use with a drill.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted August 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 ill have to check into grizzly for that. but if it get too pricy ill have to buy a regular iteam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 That PSI chuck you posted is for metal, not wood. You probably knew that but just in case. I planned extensively to build a lathe and realized that for midi to average size lathes it isn't worth the effort unless you specifically want a treadle or springpole; or just for fun. Midi size vintage lathes can be had for $50-100 and will have proper bearings and accept common accessories. In the end, the lathe itself is generally the cheapest part of turning. I have 2 vintage lathes, a 20's era Goodell Pratt and a 50's Craftsman/King Seeley. The Craftsman lathes are decent machines with a little tune up and have common size threads and tapers; they are also common as dirt. Just avoid the tube lathes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 even those look rather large was thinking something I could fit into a suitcase and carry around to different craft shows for demonstrations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 How elaborate or simple are you thinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted September 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 something I can demonstrate on but still be accurate enough to be a decent lathe. and would rather not break the bank. if its too much of a hassle probably wont build it............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 Proxxon makes a micro lathe for around $200 or you could look into jeweler's lathes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSQwsLOHJrY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40vQHTt9s-A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted September 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 that wax lathe is prity interesting don't think its what I want since I don't carve wax but it is cool looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted September 15, 2013 Report Share Posted September 15, 2013 Was looking through some old stuff and found a plan for a drill powered lathe in the Nov 1960 Popular Mechanics. You can find the issue on Google Books. I have no idea if this is what you're looking for or if you're serious about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted September 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2013 actuly thinking of getting the proxxon it looks light enough I can carry it around with me to make small things just wish it came with a chuck. I think it would end up costing me 200 dollars just to build that since I need drill, and everything there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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