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.

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

Thanks in advance.

My guess is that most homebrew lathe builders who are not machinists use
solid bar stock for their spindles. Probably the best article I've seen
that gave plans for a homebrew wooden longbed lathe was published in one
of FWW's collections. The guy who built it was also a machinist so he
made his own MT spindle.

I never saw spindles for sale anywhere that were not stripped out of
some factory-built lathe and sold a la carte on eBay. I suppose you
could buy replacement parts from Delta, Jet or Grizzly but I think
they'd be expensive as heck. The problem for you if you buy one will be
to find ball bearing units that will fit it as the spindle shaft's
exterior dimensions are not necessarily uniform throughout its length.
It all depends on the casting into which the spindle shaft and bearings
were mounted. Dimensions seem to vary widely.

I've never tried it but a "morse taper sleeve" of suitable length and
diameter that will hold your MT2 center, chuck, etc. and which would be
mounted in a pair of ball bearing pillow blocks might work. Get the
sleeve first, and buy the pillow blocks to match. The sleeve will have
to be a good six inches long, maybe a little longer, and its exterior
diameter should be uniform throughout its length. If it works out you'll
have a lathe. If it doesn't you'll have a "learning experience."

J.


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.

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

Thanks in advance.

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.

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


Do a Google search on this newsgroup with the search words "home built
lathe", then follow the trails.

I did and there was a ton of information, and even a couple of the
threads had posts with pictures.

Robert

Get yourself the shaft of a little lathe like the Delta or Jet, they
should be a lot cheaper than getting one custom made, they also use
standard bearings, then a variable speed motor should make it easy for
changing speeds enough with only a 2 or 3 step pulley.
The same for the tailstock get parts that you can readily buy, then
build the rest you need, good luck, it won't be as cheap as buying one
of those small lathes but you will learn something for sure.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo
http://homepage.mac.com/l.vanderloo/PhotoAlbum4.html

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.

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

Thanks in advance.

Wood magazine had a book some years ago that had very good plans for
building a lathe. The spindles had MT and when I called them before making
mine I found that they have a company that will make them for you. I
believe they are something like $75 each. I found someone who had ordered a
set and sold them to me. The lathe works well and is quite solid.

Brian

That's very interesting. Any chance you have the name of the book and of
the company that makes the spindles?

J.


Brian wrote:
Wood magazine had a book some years ago that had very good plans for
building a lathe. The spindles had MT and when I called them before making
mine I found that they have a company that will make them for you. I
believe they are something like $75 each. I found someone who had ordered a
set and sold them to me. The lathe works well and is quite solid.

Brian

post to me privately and I will send you a copy of the article. I don't
have the contact info any longer but you should be able to contact Wood
magazine and get it. When I called them the person knew exactly what
article I was talking about and gave me the info.

Brian

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.

A few questions spring to mind immediately- are you planning on
casting this yourself out of metal, or building out of wood?

Most of the home-built and mfgr'd short-run lathes like One-Way are fabricated
from welded steel.

Dan

On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:31:27 -0500, "Dan Bollinger"
wrote:

A few questions spring to mind immediately- are you planning on
casting this yourself out of metal, or building out of wood?

Most of the home-built and mfgr'd short-run lathes like One-Way are fabricated
from welded steel.

That'd be what I'd assume for the legs and case- but are the headstock
mount, the tailstock and the ways welded steel as well? (It's a
serious question, I've seen a One-Way, but wasn't really looking at
those particular parts.)

Hi Prometheus

Here is a lot of info if you really read all the info given, and yes
this is an awful lot of lathe.

http://www.oneway.on.ca/lathes/2436lathe.htm

And here's a totally different one, and does what it needs to also.

http://www.vkleibrant.com/process.html

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

http://homepage.mac.com/l.vanderloo/PhotoAlbum25.html


Prometheus wrote:
On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:31:27 -0500, "Dan Bollinger"
wrote:

A few questions spring to mind immediately- are you planning on
casting this yourself out of metal, or building out of wood?

Most of the home-built and mfgr'd short-run lathes like One-Way are fabricated
from welded steel.

That'd be what I'd assume for the legs and case- but are the headstock
mount, the tailstock and the ways welded steel as well? (It's a
serious question, I've seen a One-Way, but wasn't really looking at
those particular parts.)

On 14 Jan 2007 16:37:15 -0800, "
wrote:

Hi Prometheus

Here is a lot of info if you really read all the info given, and yes
this is an awful lot of lathe.

http://www.oneway.on.ca/lathes/2436lathe.htm

Ahh... yes. Seeing the picture brought it all back. I think I kind
of looked it over, then dismissed it and forgot about since, it's just
way too much $$$ for me!

And here's a totally different one, and does what it needs to also.

http://www.vkleibrant.com/process.html

On Jan 11, 3:15 pm, 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.

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

Thanks in advance.

----------
did this once. found a wonderful old tailstock at a farm tool sale so
got the bug to build a lathe to go with it.
used 2x3" metal tubing for base, 5x8" for headstock, got very sturdy
bearings. had help of another turner who was also a skilled machinist
with wonderful new equipment. he made the headstock spindle, hollowed
it, put on 1x8 threads, made the aluminum pulleys for poly v-belt for 4
speeds. friend at welding shop very helpful, offered good advice.
wanted a swiveling headstock for several reasons. motor is
suspended at back of headstock on big hinge with springs to keep
tension on the pulleys.
even had banjo and tool rests built by welding shop. it works
just fine.
but i'd not do it again.
there are some really great lathes out there today.
recently moved to a new place and am in process of putting the
lathe back together (finish in about another week) and could get some
photos if you'd like. just let me know . . .

Ptr.

A woodturning lathe is just a drill press laid on it's back. Has anyone
thought of just laying an inexpensive drill press on it's back and making a
few accessories to create a lathe? That shouldn't be too hard - and there
are some pretty low cost drill presses out there. I haven't done this yet;
but, I have chucked some small wooden knobs in a vertical drill press and
turned them out with chisels.
Jim Seelye

wrote in message
ups.com...


On Jan 11, 3:15 pm, 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.

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

Thanks in advance.

----------
did this once. found a wonderful old tailstock at a farm tool sale so
got the bug to build a lathe to go with it.
used 2x3" metal tubing for base, 5x8" for headstock, got very sturdy
bearings. had help of another turner who was also a skilled machinist
with wonderful new equipment. he made the headstock spindle, hollowed
it, put on 1x8 threads, made the aluminum pulleys for poly v-belt for 4
speeds. friend at welding shop very helpful, offered good advice.
wanted a swiveling headstock for several reasons. motor is
suspended at back of headstock on big hinge with springs to keep
tension on the pulleys.
even had banjo and tool rests built by welding shop. it works
just fine.
but i'd not do it again.
there are some really great lathes out there today.
recently moved to a new place and am in process of putting the
lathe back together (finish in about another week) and could get some
photos if you'd like. just let me know . . .

Ptr.

Shades of the Vertilathe!

To my mind, a lathe is more likely to be a drill press than the other
way around.

In my experience in building a lathe, a decent tailstock is much more
difficult to make than the bed, headstock or tool rest. Probably why
there are so many shop built bowl lathes yet so few spindle lathes.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings