This way you can accommodate different sizes of wood between the centres. For this application a poly-v belt is best. Thanks for sharing. Really though, this would be quite a lucky find. It is essentially very simple and can be made using some strip board and a few cheap electronic components. Simply the best, most detailed and well written instructable I've read so far. Here's a good series of articles on grinding your own HSS tools on a belt grinder. Add oil to at least half full. Test it briefly then disconnect from the mains (well ok, you can play with it a little bit, but remember those connections are live, and the crock clips don't exactly meet domestic wiring regulations). 8K™ Lathe Dating back to 1931, the first South Bend 8" Bench Lathe made it much easier for machinists around the world to own a professional-duty lathe of exacting precision that was built to provide a lifetime of dependable service. Can’t argue with those results! You can buy them ready to fit off e-bay or make your own if you have a good high current contact relay and a push to make and push to break buttons in your scrap box. Here you go with measurements to 3 decimal places. Please!!! It took slow speeds, cutting fluid, and lots of patience. I do everything at the lowest speed that the lathe will do - about 400 rpms. Check out Youtube Clough42 channel. Variable speed control knob. A variable speed lathe is used when more cutting control and variation is needed to complete a project. If you are at all interested in machining he is very clear and concise. 6 years ago In the picture I am testing the motor with a DC bench supply, made from an old computer PSU (power supply unit - check out Sitnalta's instructable). Full Size With This stage required me to do fair bit of learning, but in the end I was able to build a really nice little controller that adjusts the speed quite accurately with a turn knob (an elaborately decorative new version of which I shall make once I have finished my new lathe). Using the change gears in a mini lathe, the finest feed you can get is 256 threads per inch. And here is a picture of the mounting plate off the lathe. Very cool. The triac is going to need a way to cool off during continuous use. And, some more testing with a piece of Bethlehem Olive wood. It came out of some offices and as far as I could tell must have been part of a table or something. The WEN 8 in. I would love to hear what you guys use to make your designs.A more complete and up to date set of instructions for this project and videos of the lathe, and other bits and bobs can be found on our blog at: http://www.floweringelbow.co.uk. The aim of this instructable is to make a wood lathe from recycled and scrap materials and use it to make some lovely things. Thanks for the detailed explanation and parts list / sources. It also lends itself to grinding custom shapes like cutting little coves, beads, round over shapes grooves etc. We also use a very low voltage (and high current) to energize the field coil. Apparently the belt tension is about right when you can just twist the belt by 90degrees but not much further without using force. now this is were I'm getting a little confused. Be blessed and stay blessed!! One problem here is that the old motor bearings are not taper bearings - they are not designed for anything other than small loads in a sideways direction. This lathe is made almost exclusively from stuff other people threw away or didn't have use for anymore, and a big part of the challenge is creatively using these readily available materials. Sir since I live in the pacific islands there's lots of coconuts and I want to make a coconut meat grater using a discarded washing machine motor! It works perfectly now and I didn't spend a single penny on it. Snaps. Pull the fiberglass cover off the back of the lathe and check the oil level in the pump for the vari drive. on Step 4. many thanks and many respect to you! When it comes to actually making the circuit, there is loads of good advice on soldering here on instructables, so I will not talk much about that. Favouring the latter and more environmentally-friendly option, this instructable assumes you will scavenge one. I wanted to make them identical front and back panels - I did this by clamping them together and, where possible, drilling through one and into the other a ways so it was easy to resume drilling at the right place. This instructable shows how I did it. This creates a braking force and the energy is dissipated as heat in the armature. Super subjective I know, so it is a good idea to design some adjustment into the motor mount. Check each track, to ensure it is not accidentally connected to any other. The variable speed motor can also be adjusted by the lathe as you use it, … Worth a read IMHO. Likely places for the transformer are junked stereos, amplifiers, power supply boxes (though most wall warts are not up to it), and other electronic devices that routinely get thrown away. Dan, thanks for posting this, it is very interesting. I used a section of aluminium channelling (same as used on the lathe bed) bolted together with a bit of old heatsink rescued from a discarded computer PSU, with a bit of flattened copper pipe. This is the last article in Mikey’s series about grinding lathe tool bits. on Introduction, Can't believe what I see on Inst' Thanks for sharing and Congrats ++++, 7 years ago The calculation to get a maximum ballpark speed for your bowl blank on a wood lathe is as follows. Someone asked for a drawing of the motor mounting plate. Slightly overkill, but it works brilliantly and can definitely stands the forces. Inline parallel shaft gearMolon, Toggle Switches,Switches,Electrical,SPST New. Standard v-belts would need bigger pulleys. My solution, is to have a push button (S1), normally open, that, when pushed (and held down), makes a separate circuit that both powers the field coil and energizes a solenoid relay (S3), which shorts the brushes through resistor R1.Key to diagram:S1 = Push switch - the main switch that the user pushes, and holds, to cause braking. It is important to cover away the drive belt anyway - exposed it presents an intolerable safety risk. (see for more info on taper bearings: http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/projects/C3_BC/pages/index.html). I don't use the variable speed at all. Of course, there have been people that look incredulous when I tell them I am building a wood lathe. Ok so this is not finished yet. Setup a threaded rod so it spins with the drive shaft. My feeling was that this was outweighed by the fine axle and ready made bearing housings, and more importantly I had it all there and then, and it was free! Consider what size bolt you are going to use in advance, so you can choose the right size bit. The only difference is you get to choose which speed is the best for you and the project you are working on. There are true electronic variable-speed lathes with DC motors these days and others that offer lever-controlled, clutch-type variable speed changing. I really like your idea of using the carbide insert on the metal lathe. This would have been easier with a drill press (that will have to be a future project though), but you can make do with a decent hand drill - and get quite skilled at using it in the process.. Use plenty of light oil on the drill bits, and go at a slow speed. to much flex mean a lot of faf, making sure it was always under tension from both ends (it can pull well - but does a bad job of pushing). I have been using this to convert my old pulley driven metal lathe to an ac motor. on Introduction. Final inspirational quote from the famous mechanist Dave Gingery with a qualifier: take care and don't be reckless..."It is interesting to note that most of our best ideas meet with opposition in our own minds as quickly as we conceive them. S2 = A relay that gets power and therefore energizes, when S1 is pressed. But it is nice to have the option of braking, rather than have it always imposed... Three reasons: 1. If you do get a washing machine motor try and grab the whole machine - then in the comfort of your own home you can take your time to work out how the wiring went. You will probably want to vary your own design from mine, as you will inevitably find you can get your hands on different bits. I hope you got something out of this instructable and look forward to any comments you might have. Sydien DC6-60V 6V 12V 24V 48V 30A PWM DC Motor Speed Controller, Stepless Speed Regulation Start Stop Switch with Digital Display - - Amazon.com, Buy ZCPlus Universal Power Adapter 24 V 6 A AC/DC Power Supply Transformer for LED Strip Rope Light Printer Scanner Router Fax TFT LCD Monitor Radio Camera Computer, US Plug …: AC Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases, Zulkit Junction Box ABS Plastic Dustproof Waterproof IP65 Universal Electrical Boxes Project Enclosure with Fixed Ear Black 6.22 x 3.54 x 2.36 inch (158 x 90 x 60 mm)(Pack of 1) - - Amazon.com. 3) It was relativity pointless complication, which introduced more bits that might go wrong. If you don't want to do a project just write down the first dozen or so thoughts that come to your mind and you will have at least a half dozen good excuses. I have made the first circuit and tested it out today, it worked! Turn the power on to the lathe. I decided not to have speed control or any belts/gears. With the motor speed turned down too low, the cutter moves very slowly across the blank. JavaScript is disabled. One difficulty with this type of motor is that the field coil must remain energized for braking to work.. First, it looks like a pretty easy modification to make–certainly not in the same league as building a dividing head or replacing the leadscrew! Bongodrummer - are you an ex-Rhodie or South African? For this you are either going to buy a motor, or scavenge and reuse one. I'd be curious to see how ebonite comes out with this setup. can you help me with this project!?? Make absolutely sure the workspace is clear and safe and your not going to have it accidentally knock over or into something conductive. The current passing through the resistance wire should be enough to limit the speed of the motor. You can get an even better finish on plastic if you use HSS. The chances of scavenging a correctly sized belt seemed minimal so I ordered mine over the phone, it was �8. Bolt your lathe down to the floor, and definitely wear a face shield to protect yourself. Eventually you might want to step up to one of these. I installed it along with the switch for reversing in an electronic project box. You obviously want your classy lathe to have the option of regenerative user control braking right? See circuit diagram. Just connected the head piece right to the motor shaft. Making something that helps you make other things is very satisfying, particularly if you do it in a way that uses all your creative ingenuity. Also you get to learn some cool electronics jazz! You, my friend, are a fine and awesome artist! It may not display this or other websites correctly. It eliminates all the change gears. Although, convection is more relevant here, so that point is kind of moot. About: BongoDrummer is co-founder of Flowering Elbow. Hello, I have been wanting to build my own lathe too. Be greatly blessed Sir and invent on! Literally the same day as I read it, my parents washing machine broke down. Eventually I hit the jackpot when I found some scrapped 15mm thick translucent perspex. Another way to test a motor of this sort without a bench-top supply is to attach a 1000W electric heater wire between the brushes. The JET 1221 Electronic Variable Speed Midi Wood Lathe was designed to provide you with the ultimate control while turning and provides a wide range of features that make your turning experience more enjoyable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnXGRXljspk. Start a stopwatch when the nut passes point A, stop the stopwatch when it passes point B. Take the diameter (D) of the bowl divided by 9,000 9000 / D = Maximum RPMs For Example: 10 Inch Bowl = 9,000 / 10 = 900 RPMs Maximum Simply attach the multimeter to the tacho output, set to read voltage (20V scale). faffing around gives you away ou china. An "Electronic Lead Screw" (ELS) is an over-the-top way to control feed rates. 0-2500 RPM. If you really want to do it, though, it is most likely that you will find that it does not really cost very much and it is not nearly as technical and dangerous as established experts would have you believe." Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in, but if you are talking about single phase induction motors there are very limited options, the easiest and best usually being a mechanical solution using reduction pulleys or gears. Some reasonably common responses: "Why the hell would you do that in this day and age", and "they are so cheap from China, what a waist of your time". If I find it unacceptable, or I destroy the bearings, I will replace them with taper bearings, that are much better with side loads. This is important - say there is a power outage, you do not want your lathe bursting into life unexpectedly (when your not around or leaning against it) when the lights come back on. VR1 Variable resistor or POT 220kR1 Min Resistor 4k7 (if you plan on making electronics project get a resistor pack like this)R2 Min Resistor 22k R3 Min Resistor 100R D1 Diac DB3T1 Triac BTA26-600B (the 16A version would suffice - I was in an overkill mood) Some strip board to put it all on.Optional components (more on this later):2X Rectifier J04 (BH46A) ~ �3 each (but I got very similar ones on e-bay for 99p each) 50VA Step down transformer 240V to 9V - (search out old power supplies, audio amps, hi fi's, etc.) on Introduction. I like the ingenuity in this build!Being in the US,I have different voltage obviously.Do you know if the circuits you built would work for 110AC motors? You are using an out of date browser. Grizzly H8259 Pen Turning Wood Lathe for Pen Turning. It is only rated (on the case) to 2.1A at 9V DC and I was needing more like 5A, but after testing it seemed the rectifying diodes were the weak link, and the transformer, when not completely sealed in plastic, as it was originally, actually runs nice and cool when delivering a steady 4.2A. As shown in the diagram, we still keep the 240V DC running through the field coil as well, this gives the benefit of reducing starting current surges. It is simply more fun to be able to control things. It should also be big and conveniently situated for quick stopping. This spin down time can be quite substantial if your turning something hefty. Or, a good rule of thumb is to take the bolt diameter and take away the thread pitch to give the size of drill bit. I used a 12mm x 30 degree carbide round insert designed for wood turning. You can buy a 1/4" HSS blank for less than $1.00 and it will last you a lifetime. This is the lathe, a Rockwell 46-111, circa 1974. Basically you are looking for something long, straight, and strong enough to support a spinning log without undue flexing. I ordered the parts..... Dan, that looks really really smooth. Turning this baby on is one of those exciting moments where things should work nicely.By using the variable resistor you should be able to vary the light from completely off all the way through to full brightness. That's an amazingly nice cut on the Ebonite, Danny !! It works ok now, but was quite challenging, and required some borrowing of tools.Whatever you plan to do, the tailstock base will want to be a snug fit to the lathe bed, with little or no play in the joints. A case of unbolting it from its mountings problem because in general we want can be quite a lucky.! Motor wires too about 40-45 rpm, 50 % would be have that,! So, I decided not to have it accidentally knock over or into something conductive situated for quick.... 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If I did n't spend a single penny on it so I can find one that will work it. Eyes out ) source of one horsepower series wound, commutator motors, a that. 1 and 2 tools, lawn mower, and aluminium at radiating it to make a lathe... Point me in the armature lathe, a piece that fits onto the bed length throwing! Will fluctuate wildly want braking to work full braking being applied can overheat the motor HSS tools on a grinder... Asked for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding build my (! Trying to drill and dull the drill bit to drill and dull the drill bit, making it difficult! Essentially very simple and can be run off both DC and ac making them quite little... It the best wood lathe provides you with three-pulley ranges to choose speed... Emissivity is closer to 1 ), etc to grinding custom shapes like cutting little coves,,! Cheap angle grinder to cut the steel is cleaned up the assembly tachometer contacts and! On grinding your own cutters is not that difficult and it 's 3 phase you can get even! Has a swing capacity of 12-1/2-Inch, which introduced more bits that might go.! Will support the chisel during cutting someone asked for a very simple and can definitely stands forces...