Woodturning Lathe

Previous Wood Lathe Inductions are valid for the new 1624 Lathe but please read this page and any notices displayed by the Lathe.

(1624 Lathe Manual).

Please follow sensible safety rules:

• Wear eye and face protection
• Don't wear long dangly things (clothes, hair, jewellery)
• Make sure workpiece is secure and can rotate freely before switching on
• If you use hands on the rotating workpiece (sanding or polishing), remove the Tool Rest, to avoid getting fingers trapped.

The Lathe must always be left in a safe state and ready for the next user.

1. The Chuck must be fitted to the Headstock with the Threaded Locking Grub Screws done up firmly.

2. The Chuck must be fitted with the Standard Jaws.

3. The Lathe must be clean and ready to use. If it was turned on without any further checks it must be able to run safely in Forward or Reverse mode.

4. The Drive Belt must be set to the High speed position.

5. Headstock must be at left hand end pointing along the Bed, the Tool Rest must be in the middle and the Tail Stock must be at right hand end, all clear of each other.

1. Speed is controlled by a rotating knob on the front panel and there is now a speed display.

2. Two ranges of speed are available via a belt and pully system but the high speed configuration should meet most users requirements. The Lathe must always be left in the high speed configuration.

3. The Lathe has a Reverse mode option which means all items attached to the Headstock must be secured to ensure that they do not unscrew themselves if the Lathe is operated in Reverse. You should avoid using Reverse Mode unless you really need it.

4. Most operations on the new Lathe can now be carried out without removing the Chuck. We have a Spur and a Face Plate that can be fitted in to the Chuck. The Chuck must always be fitted to the Lathe before you leave.

5. Items fitted to the Tailstock are now removed using a Knockout Bar in the same manner as used for the Headstock on the old Lathe.

6. We now have various Jaw sets for the Chuck. The Chuck must always be left with the Standard Jaws fitted.

7. For other differences please see the Manual.

Sliding Headstock along Bed, Indexing, Head rotation and Replacing Drive Belt.

The new Lathe has the facility to swing the headstock through either 45 degrees or 90. Only the 90 degree swing is described in the user manual which I would not recommend unless you want to make a really huge bowl.

To swing the head stock through 45 degrees you need to release it. Take the handle from the holder at the left end of the lathe.

The handle needs to be inserted in the hole in the silver rod that sticks out the back of the headstock; it is not easy to see.

Pull handle up to unlock head, pull out and hold out the head locking pin, it is the silver handle sticking out below the speed control. Start swings the headstock so that the chuck moves towards you and release the locking pin. Continue swinging the headstock towards you until you hear a clunk as the locking pin engages with the head at 45 degrees. Now lock the head by pushing the release handle down. Remove the handle and return to toll holder at end of lathe. Note you may need to pull lathe away from wall to make room for the head stock to swing.

You will now need to adjust the banjo and tool rest to be in front of the chuck. Remember to cut on the left side of the work.

When you have finished please return the headstock to its original position by reversing the process. Unlock the headstock with handle, pull out and hold locking pin, start to rotate back, release locking pin, continue to rotate until clunk, lock head and remove handle.

There are two speed ranges which are obtained by changing the position of the Drive Belt.

The High Speed mode should meet must users requirements.

To adjust the Drive Belt position.

1. Open the belt/pulley access door by unscrewing the 3mm hex key.

2. Loosen the belt by releasing the Locking Handle and lifting the Tensioning Lever.

Retighten the Locking Handle with the Tensioning Lever in the raised position.

4. Position the belt on the left or right sets of pulleys according to which speed range you require.

         The High Speed range (left hand pulleys) will provide maximum speed whereas the Low Speed range (right hand pulleys) will provide maximum torque. 
         Always remove the belt from the larger pulley first.            

5. Re-tension the belt by releasing the locking handle and lowering the tensioning lever.

         The weight of the motor will provide the correct amount of tension.            

6. Tighten the locking handle in this position.

7. Close the belt cover and re-tighten the securing screw

Because the new Lathe is able to be operated in reverse mode it is important that any item screwed on to the Headstock is locked in place to ensure it does not unscrew its self when Reverse Mode is engaged deliberately or accidentally.

To remove the threaded Base Plate.

1. Slacken of the two Grub Screws using a ?? hex key.

2. If required insert the Index Pin in to hole A to prevent the Lathe rotating.

3. Unscrew the Base Plate.

4. Remove the Index Pin.

4. If it is on too tight place metal rod in one of the side holes of the Base Plate to act as a lever.

To fit the threaded Base Plate.

1. Screw the Base Plate on to the Headstock Drive Tread hand tight.

2. Tighten the two Grub Screws using a ?? hex key firmly.

To remove the Chuck.

1. Slacken of the two Grub Screws using a ?? hex key.

2. If required insert the Index Pin in to hole A to prevent the Lathe rotating.

3. Unscrew the Chuck.

4. If it is on too tight use the Chuck Key as a lever. Do not hit the Chuck Key.

5. If it is still too tight fit a long piece of wood across the Jaws of the Chuck to act as a lever.

6. Remove the Index Pin.

To fit the Chuck.

1. Screw the Chuck on to the Headstock Drive Tread hand tight.

2. Tighten the two Grub Screws using a ?? hex key firmly.

We now have a range of different Jaw sets and fittings for the Chuck.

• Standard Dovetail Jaws. (Always refit these after you have used other Jaws). These can grip the work piece both internally or externally depending on the style and shape of the piece to be turned.

Note picture shows jaw dimensions incorrectly although actual number are correct just in the wrong positions.

• Pin Jaws. These allow smaller pieces to be held than the Standard Jaws. The inside is smooth and parallel, the outside is serrated for maximum grip.

• Stepped Jaws. These have a serrated edge both internally and externally. They give great flexibility by combining standard sized jaws and pin jaws.

• Wide Jaws. These have a serrated edge both internally and externally and can grip much larger pieces than the Standard Jaws.

• Face Plate. This ring has a 75mm outside diameter and has a dovetail shaped inside which can be gripped by using the Standard Dovetail Jaws.

• Drive Centre. This allows spindles to be turned without removing the Chuck from the Lathe.

• Wood Screw. This clamps into the centre of the Chuck for the initial mounting of bowl blanks.

1. Remove the Jaws required and the hex key from the Carrying Case and place them in the magnetic tray. Close the Carrying Case.

2. Place the Orange Magnetic Tray under the Chuck in case you drop any of the bolts.

3. Remove Jaw number 1 from the Chuck by undoing the two hex screws and place it in the Magnetic Tray.

4. Fit the new number 1 Jaw to the Chuck using the one or two hex screws as required. Only lightly tighten the screws for now.

5. Repeat for Jaws 2, 3 and 4 one at a time.

6. Put the Magnetic Tray to one side.

7. Close the Chuck up firmly and make sure all the Jaws are working correctly, now tighten up all the hex screws firmly.

8. Refit the Standard Jaws when you have finished (Remember to returning the other Jaws and hex key to the Carrying Case when you finish).

Persons not on this list may not carry out inductions. Friendly help and helpful advice is encouraged.
Contact for induction via members forum (https://bristolhackspace.discourse.group/ Inductions category)

The induction notes can be found at Wood Lathe Induction Process.

14/7/2023 Lathe assembled and initial testing completed.

(manual).

A drive center, also known as a grip center, is used in the driving end of a machine (headstock). It is often used in woodworking or where softer materials are machined.

A revolving center, also known as a live center, allows higher turning speeds while avoiding burning and also produces greater clamping pressures.

A lathe faceplate is a basic workholding accessory for a wood turning lathe. It is a circular metal (usually cast iron) plate which fixes to the end of the lathe spindle. The workpiece is then clamped to the faceplate, typically using t-nuts in slots in the faceplate, or less commonly threaded holes in the faceplate itself.

The Extension Arm is a very useful accessory and enables the user the turn larger diameter pieces - especially when you rotate the headstock 45 - 90°

Purchased in May 2018 - This chuck set includes an automatic self centering 4 jack chuck, 4 attachable jaxs (for tenons), face plate , threaded Center, Chuck Key and 2 x allan keys for accessories. Please clean after use and apply oil as required to keep chuck for siezing/rusting

Purchased in May 2018 - This MT2 Drill Head consists of the Head Stock, MT2 Shaft and Headstock Key. Please clean after use and apply oil as required to keep chuck from seizing / rusting