Banjo/extension replacement on G0462

[Steve Braman]

I finally got around to trying to turn a larger shallow bowl on my G0462 and it was definitely exciting. The high minimum speed had provided a litle excitement in the past with other slightly smaller bowls, but the surface speed increases quickly out there with minimal diameter change! But I digress, that is not the issue for today.

The real excitement came from movement of the toolrest due to flexing of the banjo and extension. I think some of it comes from the joint, but the extension seems a bit small now that I have had it extended out there.

So I am looking to buy or build a new one piece banjo. I am leaning towards build to save cost, so that my wife won't destroy my vortex. She may be the only force in nature that has control over the vortex.

I was thinking I could use a 2x3 piece of steel rectangular tubing. I will then have a split piece of pipe welded in one end to accept the tool rest. I think some flanges at the cut line with nut welded on the back one and a clear hole on the front will allow me to clamp down on the tool rest. I will likely harvest the cam mechanism for the ways end from my existing banjo. It seems this could be an inexpensive upgrade. Has anybody done this? Am I crazy? I will definitely run some quick back of the envelope calcs, but it seems that I could make it stiffer pretty easily. Do I want it to be a little soft to absorb some vibration?

[Dale Winburn]

I just recently built a new Banjo for my Home Built Bowl Lathe. This might give you some ideas. More details can be seen at http://www.winburn.com/BowlLathe.asp.

Regards,
Dale

[Roger Chandler]

A number of turners have taken the extension off their banjo because of the flexing issue........they consider it a poor design, although it was meant to allow for greater configuration of the toolrest, but it can and does create problems, which means extra care is warranted for some operations.

[Bob Bergstrom]

Here is a set up on me old Delta 450. You can't make the banjo too strong. This on is a steel bar 4" wide and 1" thick. I wished I had made the tool holder out a heavier piece of pipe or dowel and drill the hole to accept the tool rest. Table was 1/2" steel plate with a slot down the middle and 4" channel under it to add support and connect to the cabinet. Used a ratchet wrench to tight a 1" bolt.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn274/bbergst/IMG_0622.jpg

[Steve Braman]

Thanks for the pictures. I will try removing the extension this weekend and see if that helps. Otherwise I will let you know when I decide to build the new one.

[David Warkentin]

I had the same lathe. I bought the banjo for the other 16" lathe they sell and put it on there. Definitely worth doing...