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Home made lathe - part search

Id like to build my own ww lathe. Its got to be small ( turn up to

8 inch pieces), tabletop version, but sturdy. I have the washing machine motor waiting, and will weld a base (or use black piping. havent yet decided). The rest will be metal (no wood on this one). Questions are:
  1. anyone know of an online source (Im not from the US) to get the basic parts (only essentials such as bearings and...)?
  2. What parts do I need (and dont say pillow block and such. Not familiar with the terms unless you describe them. Sorry)?
  3. Can I manage with a single speed lathe or is it imperative to have a

pulley system (and then what parts are required)?

  1. minimum horse-power for small bowls, lamp posts and chess parts? Thanks again, Max
Reply to
Max63
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Hi Max,

I see you are taking this seriously... good for you! Single speed is good for most things, people have worked for years with single speed lathes (multiple speed is no doubt better...).

If you have knowledge with metalworking it realy helps, I can't help you there, look at pictures of existing lathes and try to see how you prefer to build it.

Bear> Id like to build my own ww lathe. Its got to be small ( turn up to

Reply to
Moshe Eshel

McMaster-Carr (

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) will have most of what you need and should ship outside the USA. You will have to look up things like sealed bearing, pillow block and pulley or sheave (another word for pulley--really the groove the V-belt rides in), keyway, woodruff key, etc. so get out your dictionary! Another good resource is Reid Tool supply
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sometimes more pricey, but they have oddball knobs & threaded things a lot of other catalogs don't have

Reply to
Mark Fitzsimmons

Hello Max,

You might consider building your lathe around the variable speed motor and its electronic control found in any salvage treadmill . . . the type machine used for exercise running indoors. I recently picked up a treadmill at a local thrift store for $5 and discarded all but the motor, the controls and the two bearing mounted rollers on which the treadmill belt is mounted. This approach would eliminate the need for a pulley system to change turning speed. The treadmill I salvaged even has a digital window showing the speed. I plan to build a lathe to be used for applying finish on pens while still on the mandrel and keep the main lathe clean.

Pat

Reply to
Pat Sweeney

Hi Max

If you are not in the metal working business, and have the knowledge an tools to fabricate a lathe, then I would advice you to have a good look at the small lathes that are available for very little money, and they work well, you can get parts if needed and al the needed/wanted accessories also, if you have someone else doing the needed machining and/or welding you will be hard pressed first off to make a good working lathe, and I would almost guarantee you that it will cost you more money than buying one of those minnie lathes, unless you have a buddy/friend with the tools and knowledge, willing to do a lot of work for very little money.

Have a look, and yes I know money doesn't grow on trees, but wood does , and this little lathe will do a nice job for you for very little money.

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Id like to build my own ww lathe. Its got to be small ( turn up to

Reply to
l.vanderloo

Thanks for all tips, so far.

  • Treadmill for 5$ ?!?! Wish I could find one for 100$ Would start exercising at last.
  • Pennstate lathe for 187$? Thats about the local price for a mini. Still, am aiming at half the sum - both for for the challenge and not to rock SWMBO's world just now.
  • I wrote the part suppliers for help. Will update the group. Any other tips or photos of actual success, welcomed. thanks again...
Reply to
Max63

Hello Max,

When I retired in 1993, I built a foot powered lathe to use for demonstrations at craft fairs. It worked quite well until my leg gave out. I then installed a washing machine motor that I had on hand without step pullies. I used it for another year or two until the price for a Carbatec lathe dropped below $200. I think it cost be about $50.00 to build the lathe originally. I purchased a Sears lathe spindle and a pair of pillow blocks that fit the lathe shaft. Everything else was made from scrap wood or iron that I had on hand. I published a story on making this lathe in More Woodturning in 1997, I believe. If you have a high speed internet connection for receipt of e-mail, I could send you a PDF of that story.

Fred Holder

Max63 wrote:

Reply to
Fred Holder

Reply to
William Noble

You mean like this?

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William Noble wrote: > I sold a whole bunch of saw arbors for around $35 each (they were new) - you > can get these things off of old table saws, etc - that is the essence of > what you need - then just add a pulley and a washing machine motor and make > the rest of wood or scrap angle iron.

Reply to
Max63

Please tell me more about this. I am disabled and am looking to learn how to turn pens and other small items for extra income. I saw PSI's dvd about it and can't really afford to buy a pen-lathe new right now.

Troy

Reply to
bear

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> > William Noble wrote: >> I sold a whole bunch of saw arbors for around $35 each (they were new) - >> you >> can get these things off of old table saws, etc - that is the essence of >> what you need - then just add a pulley and a washing machine motor and >> make >> the rest of wood or scrap angle iron. >

Reply to
William Noble

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