- Joined
- Jan 14, 2012
- Messages
- 56
I just completed my hand wheel for my mini-lathe using John's plans from www.gadgetbuilder.com
Instead of using steel, I used aluminum all the way around, except for the bolt and washer. My tap guide I made a few days ago came in real handy for this. Now, no more turning the chuck by hand - I'll just stick this in the outside of the spindle and turn away. I still need to make a decent die holder. I'm thinking of using a 1" socket (my craftsman tap & die set dies are hex shaped). Boring out the suitable diameter on a piece of aluminum and sticking a set screw in there to hold the socket. I'll have to have the die backed up by something so it doesn't go too deep in the socket (I could cut off the unnecessary length). Thread the end of the socket holder to accept a 2MT arbor, and thread the side for a tommy bar. I'll need a spring mechanism for that as well, though, in order to apply sufficient pressure against the work piece. Here's a couple pics of my hand wheel:
Instead of using steel, I used aluminum all the way around, except for the bolt and washer. My tap guide I made a few days ago came in real handy for this. Now, no more turning the chuck by hand - I'll just stick this in the outside of the spindle and turn away. I still need to make a decent die holder. I'm thinking of using a 1" socket (my craftsman tap & die set dies are hex shaped). Boring out the suitable diameter on a piece of aluminum and sticking a set screw in there to hold the socket. I'll have to have the die backed up by something so it doesn't go too deep in the socket (I could cut off the unnecessary length). Thread the end of the socket holder to accept a 2MT arbor, and thread the side for a tommy bar. I'll need a spring mechanism for that as well, though, in order to apply sufficient pressure against the work piece. Here's a couple pics of my hand wheel: