HF Lathe duplicator

snipped-for-privacy@mungedaddress.com wrote in news:123dmq3gor3fne5 @corp.supernews.com:

One of the demos at the turning club lat night was on spindle duplication. The demonstrator showed a duplicator he had purchased at the local Rockler store, which worked well with his Nova, and should do fine with your HF tools. He said that he 'got close' with the duplicator, then finished with skew and 80 grit. Originally, the setup was purchased to do 50 porch spindles for a renovation classic.

IMHO, believe what Arch said about doing them freehand, and picking the best. And keep the couple hundred dollars in your pocket for now.

Patriarch

I'm looking for a duplicator attachment for the HF T34706 (12 x 36" woodlathe w/ swivel head). I know for certain that HF does not carry one (per browsing their website and email with their techie guy) but it seems likely that someone knows of one that will fit.

I need to dup. 30 rods for a cradle and I don't want to use store-bought dowels because I am making the whole of it from tamarind heartwood (naturally pink for my first grand-daughter).

TIA fellas,

Bill

Various people in the past have reported that after starting to use a duplicator, they ended up turning by hand.

If you do want to continue the search, you should be aware that the HF lathe you are talking about is a knock off of the Jet 1236.

You should also realize that the spindles do not have to be exact duplicates. When they are separated by a few inches, differences tend to be less visible. Also, if you turn some that are not quite alike, you have the option of arranging them in whatever order makes the differences less visible.

But here is my *brilliant* suggestion. Use two spindle designs, and alternate them. You will make a more interesting cradle, and it will be virtually impossible to see little variations. Or, you could make every other spindle round and smooth. Accomplishes the same thing and reduces the turning about half.

Actually, Arch, I planned to turn them slightly oversized and then sand down to finish size / surface condition. If this cradle turns out nicely, perhaps I'll make more ... and that could quickly run into the hundreds of rods.

I've seen a pic or two of semaphores but wouldn't have the foggiest notion how to build one. Gotta link hidden somewhere up your sleeve?

Bill

I've never used one, but reports are the best is the Vega line

Hi Bill I have an article in fine woodworking by Steve Gellman, called "tricks for speed and consistency" and it tells and shows the use of also a jig to turn spindles to size quickly.

"FWW",1989,11,79,71,"None","Efficient spindle turning","tricks for speed and consistency","Gellman",""

Basically he has a frame above his lathe, a copper pipe (1/2" water pipe) is above and just back of his lathes axis, on it are collars (like rubber hose) that can be positioned and between those collars he has copper electric wire that can swing back and forth. By making those wires the length needed, he is able to part the spindle to thickness at places he wants quickly, the wire will fall through the groove parted when deep enough, then al he has to do is make the curves between the grooves.

Hope you can find the article, or that the description given is sufficient to help you in your quest.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Sounds like a pretty simple semaphore. I've got some spare copper pipe laying around. Perhaps I'll give that a try.

Bill, You might want to consider using a length of allthread over & behind the lathe bed with nuts/washers for easily adjusted spacers. Sheet metal arms probably drop thru a rough narrow kerf easier and can be made in sets for later repetitions, but they aren't as easily adjusted as wire.

I suspect at most, you will end up using a story board, calipers and a parting tool. After that many repetitions you'll probably just use your eyeballs for a much to be preferred imperfect custom crafted look. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Hi Arch

Yes Arch that would also be a simple way of doing it.

And the sheet metal arms could be made out of two pieces with slots in them, then the adjusting would be easily done with the help of some stove bolds and washers I would think.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but I'll risk discussing this again. I think it is a very usable idea. Take the laser light, arm and linkage, off your hollowing tool and attach it to your lathe. Mount a finished spindle between centers, and aim the laser beam at one of the critical positions (such as the bottom of a cove). Replace the finished spindle with a fresh piece of wood, and turn off wood until the laser indicates the correct diameter. Replace with another piece of wood, and do the same thing, until all the pieces are done.

Reinsert the finished spindle, pick another position, and reset the laser. Turn all the pieces in the new position. Do this until you have enough cuts so you can finish each piece by eye. All the diameters and positions will be the same. This can be done with a minimum of mechanical preparation--you don't have to make a dozen adjustable fingers, or figure out how to support a piece of Allthread parallel to the lathe axis, or any of that.

I have used this method, and I can attest to its ease and effectiveness.

Leo L., I thought you were forbidden to use a laser for immoral and unethical purposes years ago. Are you implying that communications have progressed beyond boy scout semaphore flags? Probably not even a merit badge for it anymore. Next thing you engineers will be abandoning the sainted Morse code like the coast guard and ships at sea. I ask you, where will it all end?

Leo, the other, Neither of us have one, so why are we advising semaphores, anyway? Should we both enter the 21st century and admit Leo L's laser is better? Nah! We'd rather suffer. It's all your fault, Bill. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Hi Arch

I like KISS and for that and knowing Bill will like a gazillion beads on alllllll his spindles I think the other Leo's much better idea is just tooooo much work exchanging allllllll those spindles allllllll those times (TIC VERY FARR)

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

wrote: I like KISS and for that and knowing Bill will like a gazillion beads on alllllll his spindles I think the other Leo's much better idea is just tooooo much work exchanging allllllll those spindles allllllll those times (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ If Bill's design has a gazillion beads, won't he need a gazillion adjustable sheet metal arms? (In Arch's parlance, semaphores.) My method needs only

Arch wrote: I thought you were forbidden to use a laser for immoral and unethical purposes years ago. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Arch, are you thinking of Lyn M? Do you know how he's doing?

Yep, Leo it was Lyn, a fellow COC who tried to keep you on the right path. :) I sure miss his posts. Someone here may know Lyn's current situation and net address and will pass our good wishes along. Also they might know if he would answer a sincere invitation to tell the group how he is doing. Perhaps Fred Holder would know. Sorry for the OT detour, Bill.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Hi Leo Yes Leo

Can I take my TIC out now .

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo (the other Leo)

Hi Leo Yes Leo

Can I take my TIC out now .

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo (the other Leo)

wrote: (clip) Can I take my TIC out now . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Oh, I took it out for you in my own mind.

Kind of off topic . . . Please locate and read child safety standards regarding materials & design when making anything for a child that you sell. Even custom work . . . An ornamental iron company here in our area was just put out of business after building a gate based on architects design . . . toddler got his head caught between bars while he and his sister were "riding" the gate . . . safety guidelines called for closer spacing.

If you are already ahead of me on this, please ignore . . .

Steve