Old Sears Bowlturning lathe(uses router)

It's called the "Router Crafter". The manual should be available through Sears. Go to the Sears parts web site at:

Search for the model number from the ID plate on the unit.

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA (Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

Cornell, That might be a _Copy_ crafter. If so, Sears' customer service should have a manual. Arch

Fortiter,

Jack, From his description, I don't think it's a Router Crafter. The Router Crafter had a hand crank for rotation and would also do spirals and flutes, but I don't think you could do a bowl with it. At least, that wasn't what it was designed for, since the router traveled along the spindle axis, and the construction would make it very difficult to turn the router to a position that would allow for a bowl. I guess you could remove the rails and mount the router to your bench, then turn the bowl blank by hand, but I wouldn't want to try that due to safety concerns.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX

Could be a beast like this. Sears used to sell 'em, or similar.

You're right.

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA (Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

There was a short-lived thing called a Bowl Crafter, which had a faceplate, and fixture to hold the router at 90 degrees to it. A chunk of wood was mounted on the faceplate and rotated as the router was lowered into it. I never used one, but I can see where it would produce a lot of noise, prodigous amounts of sawdust, and eventually a bowl. If I recall correctly, the faceplate was turned by a motor, instead of the hand crank used on the Router Crafter, making the Bowl Crafter rather more expensive. More expense translates to fewer sales, so I doubt there are many of them out there. Might be fun to try one.

Unfortunately, I no longer have a picture of it, and I can't find one on the net. I think both this and the Router Crafter were made by Vermont American, but they don't have anything on their web site, either.

The Router Crafter was briefly resurrected a few years ago, but I don't think the Bowl Crafter got the second lease on life.

Henry Bibb ..who can't remember what he had for breakfast, but 20-year old trivia, now *that* he remembers...

Henry, This sound exactly what I have. Unfortunately I never assembled it but have all the parts. Right at the moment I am into stone sculpture but would like to try my luck with some bowl work and thought that this old tool would be a fair start Perhaps Vermont-American can help. Thanks for your time. Cornell ===================================