Restoring My Craftsman Mini Lathe Model 109.20630 – Open to Suggestions!

[pedrodoca]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to restore my Craftsman Mini Lathe Model 109.20630 and would love to hear your suggestions and ideas for improvements. I already have some plans in mind, but I’d appreciate any advice from the community.

Here are my current thoughts:

• I’m considering installing a servo motor from an industrial sewing machine to give it smoother and more precise control.
• I’m thinking about using nylon (technyl) gears to reduce noise, as I plan to use the lathe in my apartment, often during nighttime.

If you’ve worked on a similar project, or if you have any tips regarding these ideas or other potential upgrades, please feel free to share. All suggestions are welcome!

Attaching some photos of the lathe for reference.

Looking forward to your input!

 

[Aaron_W]

I have a later version of the lathe.

Those seem like reasonable improvements. Another is replacing the spindle with a solid spindle with either the original 1/2"-20 thread or increasing it to 3/4"-16 which allows the use of Sherline or Taig chucks. The hollow factory spindles are easily damaged and often bent when received, a solid spindle will be far more robust.


These are rather marginal lathes, so not worth putting too much time / money into. One of the biggest drawbacks is the lack of calibrated dials, and an odd thread to the lead screw making it difficult to estimate travel distance based on counting the turns of the hand wheels. As a result it is required to take constant measurements by hand as you work.

That said they are adequate for many small tasks and the improvements you mention should make a difference without spending a lot of time or money.

 

[ChazzC]

Technyl (assuming it is filled) gears would be good, but probably more costly than realistic for this machine.