I know… it has been a while.
My only real excuse for not posting sooner is my obsession with getting my jeweler’s lathe retrofit finished.
You’ll also notice that I took down the initial pages of my planning and execution of this retrofit. This is because once I assembled my parts together, I realized that even though the unit worked it deserved a complete do-over. And then, the do-over needed some partial do-overs as well. That’s what took so long.
My primary goal for this project has been to design and create a kit of parts that would transform the Sears Craftsman 22106 from a wood lathe into a very light crafting lathe capable of turning wood and silver and possibly even performing some delicate lapidary work to shape material for inlaying.
My other goal for this project was to design the kit in such a way that modification of the original lathe itself would be unnecessary… thus preserving the collectors’ value of the original lathe, since it had been discontinued by Sears a few years go.
I myself had lucked out and picked up this particular copy for only $30 at one of the reservation flea markets. I found that the face shield and the bottom stand supports were missing, but at least I still had the tail stock and the tool rest.
So here’s where I finished:
The Compleate Lathe
Looking closer, you will notice that I have created a pair of end supports that lock into place in the lathe bed using screws:
End support near headstock.
End support near back.
Once I had the traverse slide created, I focused much of my attention on the cross slide assembly. It took several tries to get correct because I had to determine how to mount the assembly on the traverse slide in such a manner as would resist slippage on either the X or Y axes when the cutting tool is finally applied to the work via torque on either of the screws:
Detailed view of cross slide mechanism
I figured that no one would appreciate a design which no longer allowed use of the tailstock. I came up with an elegant and multiple purpose solution: a bracing bar. I can lock the tailstock in place using a screw hanging through a threaded hole in the bracing bar. The bracing bar also provides mechanical stability to the cross slide mechanism.
Tailstock Locking Mechanism
And so, there it is. Now all I need is to machine some cranks for the screws so that I don’t keep cutting my fingers on the hacksawed screw edges. As I go further I will no doubt create some interesting attachments for various lapidary and metalsmithing purposes.
The Cat Is Extra!
A metal lathe, this is not. Nor is it a machinists’ lathe. I’d hesitate to call it a jewelers’ lathe. Call it an inlayers’ lathe for want of a better term.
I will entertain offers for parts kits and copies of plans for those interested. Simply comment with your email address and I will get back to you. I do review all comments and I will delete those meant for me as private communications.
In the meantime, I’m thinking of some ideas for an inlayers’ saw to mount on this new lathe.
Best again,
Aulë
