My 1934-35 version of the Craftsman 12 x 24 lathe was originally equipped with a carriage assembly made from a single
piece casting and a 5/8" leadscrew without power cross feed. Only a few months agter acquiring this lathe I set
about upgrading to add the power cross feed. Studying parts diagrams of various models I quickly learned that
except for the Commercial versions that have a 1/2" thick ways the two-piece carriage assembly of later models will
fit nicely, so will a 3/4" leadscrew. I only needed to find the parts and put 'em on!
But for the leadscrew I wanted to get one that wasn't well worn in the area near the headstock, as most used
leadscrews are. So I bought one from a longer, 36" lathe (54" bed) and shortened it. This required I turn down the
diameter to 5/8 and mill a 3/16 wide slot along about 2-3" of the drive end to fit the drive stub.
To support the larger diameter leadscrew at the right end I needed to replace the bearing. Being cheap instead of
buying one I made one from a piece of flat stock, a short stub of round bar, a steel sleeve and two flanged oilite
bronze bushings, adding a shaft collar to take up the extra space at the end.
Attached are photographs of this project.
piece casting and a 5/8" leadscrew without power cross feed. Only a few months agter acquiring this lathe I set
about upgrading to add the power cross feed. Studying parts diagrams of various models I quickly learned that
except for the Commercial versions that have a 1/2" thick ways the two-piece carriage assembly of later models will
fit nicely, so will a 3/4" leadscrew. I only needed to find the parts and put 'em on!
But for the leadscrew I wanted to get one that wasn't well worn in the area near the headstock, as most used
leadscrews are. So I bought one from a longer, 36" lathe (54" bed) and shortened it. This required I turn down the
diameter to 5/8 and mill a 3/16 wide slot along about 2-3" of the drive end to fit the drive stub.
To support the larger diameter leadscrew at the right end I needed to replace the bearing. Being cheap instead of
buying one I made one from a piece of flat stock, a short stub of round bar, a steel sleeve and two flanged oilite
bronze bushings, adding a shaft collar to take up the extra space at the end.
Attached are photographs of this project.
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