got my lathe ..now need help!

rclark12 · #1 12-15-2008, 08:16 PM

Finaly got my lathe from my uncles.. very old and not set up to build plugs.. hopefully it can be. This lathe is different from all the others iv looked at , the bases are different, one side has metal grip like pieces which dont hold the wood well at all. Im not sure if this thing can hold a drill chuck for thru wire drilling, or if the company still existes. ive been reading to figure out lathes and fand the add on pieces but i dont know much about lathes ... I GREATY GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP!
thanks in advance.....ill be postin pics

rclark12 · #2 12-15-2008, 08:21 PM

here is the lathe ... not a bad lookin lathe just old and not exactly ready to build

Sudsy · #3 12-15-2008, 09:33 PM

What you have there is a metal lathe.

It can be rigged to work as a wood lathe but the Nova style chuck needs to be replaced with a spur center

Sudsy · #4 12-15-2008, 09:35 PM

With the right parts you have a great tool for doing all that custom cutting on Penn and Mitchell reels that's becoming so popular

OSSCA · #5 12-15-2008, 09:53 PM

Man you have alot of potential sitting there!
The only change i would make is changing that dead center in the tailstock to a live center.
Making a cover for the headstock pulley would be a good idea too.
Are you in or near R.I.?

Mark P · #6 12-16-2008, 05:15 PM

Congrats. You should be able to buy a spur drive that will clamp into the Nova drive. as Far as a drill chuck for it. Look into alternate Manufacturers. Many manufacturers have standardized on the thread pattern that the drive is on. You could probably get a chuck from Jet or a competitor that will fit your machine.

If it is in fact set up currently for metal You may want to look into the RPM levels on it. I believe metal lathes turn a bit slower than most wood lathes. I am not positive but I believe that is the case.

To everything Turn Turn Turn

rclark12 · #7 12-16-2008, 08:51 PM

it definatley is slower then the average lathe... man i wuz so excited for this...is it more worth it for me to just get a new lathe ment for this or spend the time fixing it? and if it is too buy a new one, id be looking for a cheap one, i beleave roccus said some thing about a $180 pen lathe in a forum, is tht the best way to go ?

OSSCA · #8 12-16-2008, 11:17 PM

Mark P · #9 12-17-2008, 09:04 AM

I don't know in all honesty. You have to look into what the additional stuff will cost you. A spur drive is fairly inexpensive and a drill chuck shouldn't cost more than 65 dollars. If you can make the lathe work at the speed it is now it may be good to try it out and see how you like it. The Drill chuck and the spur drive will most likely fit a different lathe if you do buy one.

Sudsy · #10 12-17-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackbass

I don't know in all honesty. You have to look into what the additional stuff will cost you. A spur drive is fairly inexpensive and a drill chuck shouldn't cost more than 65 dollars. If you can make the lathe work at the speed it is now it may be good to try it out and see how you like it. The Drill chuck and the spur drive will most likely fit a different lathe if you do buy one.

Somethings to keep in mind:
Most spurs are tapered. Clamping a tapered spur into a nova style chuck could be dangerous. The spur could come flying out if you run it without it being held in tightly by the blank.
Additionally it could conceivably (I'd need to see the chuck) be difficult if not impossible to clamp the spur in so that it's always perfectly centered.

rclark12 · #11 12-17-2008, 04:11 PM

crap i think im the most unlucky person ever... i have been so ecited all week just carving some hand made lures to pass time and it turns out that this lathe is the wrong kind...

any suggestions on a decent lathe or any good lathe with a reasonable price?

JakeF · #12 12-17-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rclark12

crap i think im the most unlucky person ever... i have been so ecited all week just carving some hand made lures to pass time and it turns out that this lathe is the wrong kind...

any suggestions on a decent lathe or any good lathe with a reasonable price?

The Turncrafter Pro VS can be had new for $250.00, shipped.

Mark P · #13 12-17-2008, 06:21 PM

I wouldn't consider getting a metal lathe for free unlucky. Free tools that work in any variety are my favorite kind. You could set it up to be the worlds greatest line spooler. Or like someone else said start tapering 704 spools. You can do a lot with a metal lathe.

I didn't notice the way the nova chuck was set up with the points. That would make it difficult to make a positive connection to a spur drive.

Sudsy · #14 12-17-2008, 07:03 PM

On a very positive note, just by adding a foot pedal, longer base and a few supports, you have the key parts to build a top flight rod building lathe.

The chuck assembly is the most expensive part and the one you have would work perfectly

rclark12 · #15 12-17-2008, 07:06 PM

I have been looking at this lathe.. i believe it is the one roccus recomended....As iv mentioned i don't no much about lathes i believe this comes with the rite stock styles and pieces... Any one can point me in a direction it would be great THANKS
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLPRO.html