repair lathe question

[KCRack'em]

At the risk of being laughed outta here, I'll ask...
Is a 30-inch Shopsmith lathe something I could use to work on cues? I expect I would do little more than tip and ferrule replacements and maybe some shaft cleanup and conditioning.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Karl

 

[pdcue]

At the risk of being laughed outta here, I'll ask...
Is a 30-inch Shopsmith lathe something I could use to work on cues? I expect I would do little more than tip and ferrule replacements and maybe some shaft cleanup and conditioning.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Karl

Sure, maybe...

Not too familiar with the specs of a Shopsmith but, there are adapters for
the 5/8 headstock shank(?) that would allow you to mount a chuck on it.
Get a bearing block similar to what the Taig based lathes use, some
collets for shafts, and you are ok to do tips and shaft cleaning.
The end of the shaft may hang over the end of the bed a bit.

Ferrule work might be beyond the limitations.

Dale

 

[KCRack'em]

hmmmm

Thanks for the reply. I'm still on the fence. It's FS for $100 obo (with a stand). I would likely be farther ahead to buy something made for the job, I suppose.
Karl

 

[pdcue]

Thanks for the reply. I'm still on the fence. It's FS for $100 obo (with a stand). I would likely be farther ahead to buy something made for the job, I suppose.
Karl

Perhaps - I forgot to ask if you already had the Shopsmith.

Problem is - most of the lathes made for the job are about $1000, and up.

Todd, who posts here as tsp&b, sells a very capable starter
repair lathe for aprox $500.

If you like to tinker - all the opions I mentioned could also
be put on a cheap wood lathe. Craigslist can yield one if you
are patient.

Dale