Basic tip and ferrule lathe shoot out: HarborFreight, Cuesmith, TSP&B, Brianna.

[JC]

This lathe is 4 years old, never been used, and is available for my use and modification.

Suggestions for mods & accessories? Tips and ferrules mostly, maybe shaft joint collar & other shaft joint work to start...

Until now for many years all my tip work was done by hand or with a Porper Big Shaver. I do not have $3K to spend on a full Hightower or Unique. Wish I did.

Probably start with a set of these...

http://www.cuestik.com/store/product.asp?ITEM_ID=6196

I bought a set of these from Chris Hightower and don't use them. I dented a couple shafts due to an angular ID issue so I just put them up and started using leather strips with the ends stapled into loops. They spin as true as the collets and grip the shaft better and have zero chance of damage. And were damned near free.

Your results may vary.

JC

 

[Dave38]

All that you really need to do is make your own with a 5/8" rod of delrin, bore a hole to a 12mm size, true the outer dia. to about a 16mm O.D. then slice a section 3/4" long off...there's one collet, then bore a hole in the remaining section to 13mm, repeat the O.D. of 16mm, and there is the next one. Then take a dremel with a cutoff wheel or maybe use a bandsaw, carefully cut a thru slot lengthwise, clean all edges with a file to make smooth and those 2 collets will fit most shafts you'll come across. The slot will allow the sleeve to expand to the dia. and taper of the shaft to a degree, so may need 3 but either way, total cost will be about $10, and some labor...and some knowledge gained. There really isn't any need to have a lip on them, all that is needed is a smooth sleeve that covers the shaft enough so it doesn't get damaged.
HTHs,
Dave