Modified Lathe

[Dennis Simmons]

I can not lean over and turn my head to turn a bowl. I started out converting an old drill press into a lathe, so I could work from the end, and not lean over. I worked many hours to get the flex out of the vertical tube, close but never happened:mad:. I then took a Craftsman single tube lathe, and these are the pictures of the modified lathe I made. It works well. It has a swing of 24 inches. Someone on this site asked me to post this, thought some might be interested. Please note that in one of the pictures is the new tool that I got from Jeff Nicole, not to long ago. I now plan to wear out the tool:)

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[Jim Adkins]

Dennis.....we're talking some kind of serious lathe here, very nice job and a very
good end/start for the old Craftsman tube lathe you used. Serious looking turning tool also.
Wish you many happy hours turning while sitting/standing.

[Jeff Nicol]

Dennis, You have figured out the flex in the tube this time, you got rid of it! I think a lot of this old lathes could be converted to bigger and better machines with a little time and material. I hope the spindle from the old tube lathe will with stand the larger blanks, but it looks like it will do the job!

Good luck and enjoy the tool,

Jeff

[Joe Mioux]

pretty cool! looks like a Stubby with out the $

[Steve Schlumpf]

Dennis - this looks great! I love it when folks figure out how to make something themselves... then go out and do it!

How is the lathe for stability? Jeff brought up the spindle size - is it the stock 3/4" - 16 tpi spindle? Was curious because I had to replace the bearings on my old lathe - but I think was because of age more than usage!

Have fun!

[Michelle Rich]

Hey great build! I face problems as you do..I cannot bend..that is the reason I have held on to my old Nova 3000..I can turn the head and turn face on , and sit in a chair! Now that is luxury!

[John Hart]

Very innovative and nicely executed. Too cool Dennis!! :)

[John Keeton]

Dennis - some great ingenuity and metal work exhibited!! Very nice setup.

[Pete Wade]

Very cool! The things we can do if we just put our minds to it!

[Roland Martin]

Boy, that appears to be a job well done. Did you say that was a detail gouge?:D

[bob svoboda]

Sure shows what lengths folks will go to to keep on turning. Great Job-you should be proud.

[Roger Chandler]

Very innovative! Super nice............hope to see what you turn off it soon!