WTB: Carriage for Hightower lathe

[conetip]

Smoothness of the cut when facing. Maybe I am just inept but no matter what bit, what angle, I was always disappointed with how clean the cut was when facing on my lathe. It got significantly better when I stopped using that little crank and started just grabbing the outside of the dial. Then I cut into a 1/4" driver bit and attached it to the center of the handwheel and used my $20 battery operated screwdriver as a make shift powered unit. It worked great. Finish was smooth as glass on a piece of scrap aluminum.

A constant feed rate gives a smooth finish.When using a cross or compound slide,holding the outer of the wheel and using two hands keep it rotating at a constant speed.It does take practice though.Most will learn these techniques during the 5 year apprenticeship.
However, if you have come up with another way that will do the same thing and you are happy using it,then well done.
It would not take much to add an adjustable microswitch/contact breaker and have it stop feeding at any pre determind point.

 

[ChampionsRepair]

I like your idea of using the screw driver to power the cross slide. That is simple and handy with no mounting. Does it turn slow enough to give a nice smooth face?

That's what I am playing with now it was smooth but I thought I could do better. It was a little faster than I would like and didn't stop as quick as I wanted. I wired a potentiometer in series with the motor and replaced the crappy plastic switch with a nicer metal momentary toggle switch. I can get an even smoother finish but until I can fit everything in the screwdrivers case or modify the case it isn't very handy anymore. The toggle switch lets me jog forward to reverse to slow the motor faster.

 

[ChampionsRepair]

Most will learn these techniques during the 5 year apprenticeship.

I guess since I have had my lathe for almost 7 years now I don't fit in with most.

 

[cuemaker03]

Smoothness of the cut when facing. Maybe I am just inept but no matter what bit, what angle, I was always disappointed with how clean the cut was when facing on my lathe. It got significantly better when I stopped using that little crank and started just grabbing the outside of the dial. Then I cut into a 1/4" driver bit and attached it to the center of the handwheel and used my $20 battery operated screwdriver as a make shift powered unit. It worked great. Finish was smooth as glass on a piece of scrap aluminum.

Great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!