A FEW MODIFICATIONS TO THE MINILATHE
Here are some modifications/enhancements I have made over the past few years. These are the ones that I found the most worth-while (for my uses). The auxillary power feed with adjustable stop has proven to be very handy, as well as the cam-lock on the tailstock. There are several others not shown, such as a chip-shield on the handwheel gears, a "swarf brush" to keep the leadscrew threads clean, adjustable taper gibs, and a carriage lock.
This is my version of a cam lock for the
tailstock. Sure beats trying to get a wrench in there. There are several other versions that other users have developed. I also modified the tailstock by adding a slot on each side of the spindle to provide ore stability.
I wanted to be able to move the carriage with more precision than by using the large crank wheel. This provides a calibrated slip-scale to move the carriage. Marks are .001 per division, 1/8 inch apart. I needed to make 62 1/2 divisions, due to the threads on the leadscrew. The half-nuts must be engaged for this.
The auxillary power feed uses a variable speed DC gear motor. It connects to the leadscrew using a sort of "slip-coupling" ; pushing on engages a keyway, pulling back disconnects. It is used in conjunction with an adjustable stop and limit switch, resulting in a repeatable stop to within a couple of tenths. I do not use any of the feed gears since installing this, they have all been removed. In the rare event that I need threading on this lathe, they can be re-installed. The half-nuts must be engaged when using the power feed.
Here is the limit switch housing and adjustable slide bar to trip the limit switch. The adjustable slide bar is the projection from behind the crank wheel.
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There is a detailed description of my pwrfeed / autostop in the Yahoo Groups Minilathe Mods page. Click here. (You must be a member of the group to view photos) The details are in the Photos page ; Autostop album.
