Jury-rigged Mini Lathe

[Hubb]

I've been passing interested in getting a lathe for some time, but for a number of reasons, haven't done so yet. But watching the videos of primitive lathes recently got me re-interested. Add to this, that I just ordered some ferro rod blanks and need handles for them, was enough to put me over the edge.

I found a dry branch from a tree I recently pruned, about 1.5" in daimeter. It is a light but hard wood, very tight grained and light colored.
I cut a section about 3" long and drilled a small hole in on end as close to the center as I could eyeball. I then put a 2" drywall screw in the hole and cut the head off. I chucked this in a cordless drill and clamped the drill to the work bench.

the results were not bad, but I learned from it. Only attaching it at one end alowed to much movement off axis and led to asymetrical results. Also, with the constant running the cordless drill wasn't cutting it.

So tonight when I got home I got out my last existing corded drill, and made a 'L' shaped bracket to hold the other end of the work. (tail stock?)
This worked much better. for the tail piece I just ran a drywall screw through the bracket and pushed it into the work. This hole did enlarge itself after a while and led to eccentrictiy. I will re-do this next time with a bolt, some washers andnut and stop nut so that it can turn with the work.

Link to thread

I know several of us have done something similar, but there was just too much detail in this guy's post to not show it. Tech, this might rival your drill press version

[Technician1002]

Tech, this might rival your drill press version

It might if you have a good way to make a carriage that can move a tool along the edge of a piston to keep the diameter of the cut even. A guide rail on the bench to guide a vise holding the cutting tool would work well.

The drill press has a very limited distance the chuck can be advanced. With the guide rail, you can machine longer pistons.

I'm looking forward to version 2.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I do love my drill-clamped-in-a-vice lathe

More importantly, what are you doing on a survivalist forum? Are we to expect some anti-zombie auto hybrid design soon

[Technician1002]

We are expecting a monetary collapse and resulting anarchy. No zombies, only starving desperate hordes of people.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Civilisation is three meals deep, right?

[POLAND_SPUD]

drill-clamped-in-a-vice lathe

Yeap, but they are not limited to wood

[Fnord]

^What a wonderful opportunity for an out-of-context signature quote.


edit: lol poland good idea editing that.

Ok to actually add something useful... putting too much perpendicular leverage against a less-than-high quality drill chuck will eventually ruin the bearings. I've broken a couple like this. When they start making grinding rattling sounds it means they're about done.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

edit: lol poland good idea editing that.

Ack, missed it!

[Hubb]

More importantly, what are you doing on a survivalist forum?

I've got other hobbies than just starch acceleration. Well, that and what Tech said...

[POLAND_SPUD]

and me

[Labtecpower]

@JSR:

You just missed some rectal fantasy...

dunno what youre doin in your spare time POLAND_SPUD

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

You just missed some rectal fantasy...

Fear not, I had a private revelation

... and in response to that, perhaps rather than colonic stopper, these are intended as chess pieces to pass the time after the apocalypse?

[POLAND_SPUD]

I had a private revelation

Great minds think alike

what youre doin in your spare time POLAND_SPUD

Ask hubb he's the guy who makes them

Anyway... check his avatar and tell me WTF is that?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Nurse, Nurse! He's out of bed again.

Anyway... check his avatar and tell me WTF is that?

Are you suggesting Hubb produces diamond plate spunk?!

*ahem*

Yes, the end of the world must be nigh!