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Prometheus

On 11 Jan 2007 13:15:43 -0800, wrote:

I have done a lot of searching for home-built lathe plans on the web,
but haven't found that much. I'd like to build one myself for several
reasons, mainly because it would be fun, and I'm cheap. I know, I
know, I'll probably wind up spending more making something halfway
decent than just ponying up for a real lathe, but I'd like to give it a
go anyway.

Two things are holding me up from beginning: 1) a set of plans to at
least begin with, and 2) the source for the headstock and tailstock
spindles. I want MT #2, of course, because it seems that most of the
lathes use those. I just can't seem to find them on the web. I know
they must be there, I just don't seem to have the correct terminology
for what I want.

A few questions spring to mind immediately- are you planning on
casting this yourself out of metal, or building out of wood? And, are
you planning on making the accessories as well, or just the lathe
itself? If the latter, you should be able to use tubing for the
headstock/tailstock, and mount your accessories on solid bar stock
that is tapped on one end to accept a drawbolt. Broaching both parts
or installing a set screw on the spindle would make it really
slip-proof, but it might work fine without that.

If you're really set on the morse taper spindle, you could get
appropriately thick-walled tubing and build the headstock first. Once
that is done, you can make a homebrewed boring bar with a threaded rod
"feed" that can bolt to the ways. Set it at the correct angle, and
you should be able to bore it yourself.

Has anyone out there built their own lathe and is willing to give me
some advice and warnings?

I'm building a metal lathe, but so far, I'm not far enough along to
really give you any specific warnings.