I expect you could take the drive from one spindle to a lay shaft which
ran between or behind the ways to the other headstock spindle so no need
for accurate synchronisation of separate drives.

Stan Schaefer wrote:

Allan Adler wrote in message ...

Is it out of the question to modify Gingery's lathe design to make a
glass working lathe?


I wouldn't say it was impossible, but the ones I've dealt with were a
good deal larger, like about 2' swing or better. They also had two
headstocks at the opposite ends with matching chucks and the rotation
of each was synchronized with the other end. This last would be the
hard part without using stepping motors or selsyns. Worm drive with
some sort of speed-sensing control electronics, maybe. HP
requirements would be pretty low, all you are doing is turning the
chuck and workpiece, there's no cutting forces involved. It's been
awhile, but IIRC, the through-holes in the spindles were pretty good
sized. One suggestion for the bed would be to use large steel tubing,
ala Shopsmith, and the same sort of locks for the sliding parts that
are used on it. Except for the chucks and drive train, I don't think
it would be too tough to make up a moderately-sized glass-blowing
lathe.

Stan