SHOPSMITH METAL LATHE CONVERSION

[paulk]

I have made an old Shopsmith wood lathe into a metal working lathe. I have a blog @ "shopsmith metal lathe conversion.wordpress.com" with lots of pictures. Feel free to email me @ "flying.k@juno.com"

This is my conversion of the Shop Smith 10E multi machine into a metal
working lathe. The Shop Smith wood working multi machine was produced from 1947 to
1953. It is such a well built, heavy simple tool. There are plenty
still around today on Craigs List.

The main changes of design are the drive shaft and slowing the drive
shaft speed to accomodate machining steel and other metals.
The original drive shaft is removed and replaced with a length of 3/4"
schedule 80 black iron pipe. The drive end of the pipe is turned down to
a sliding fit on the 6205 bearing.

A flange to hold a 3 or 4 jaw chuck is squarely welded to the non
machined end of the pipe "shaft". An alternate would be to thread the
pipe and screw on a heavy duty 4 bolt pipe flange. Your chuck is then
bolted to the flange.

Fab a bushing to mount the 6210 bearing on the quill for the chuck end of the drive shaft.
The 6210 bearing is fitted to the outside of the quill and the back side of the chuck mounting flange.

The speed reduction is achieved by installing a 12" pulley on the drive
end of the shaft. In this case, I made a sliding pulley using a 3/4 ton
Chevy hub and brake drum on a sliding mount using a 1 1/4" and 1 1/2"
.090 wall square tubing. I also made an intermediate shaft & 5 step pulley.

I mounted an old lathe taper attachment to the Shopsmith carriage for Y Travel. The tool holder is all homemade.

The X Y travels are controlled with 1/2" all thread rods. Also the quill can be used for X travel.

The head rest and tie bar are moved inboard of the power head making room for drive
pulley and belts.

The last 5 pictures show my using a hand held grinder for fine finishing work.

Copying this conversion design is at your own risk. I refuse any
liability for any project you create.

Nice use of a wheel hub and brake drum! There are also more photos of this build on paulk's blog at: ShopsmithMetalLatheConversion.wordpress.com

_

[krisnanj]

This is awesome! I have an old 10ER and never thought about using it as a metal lathe. Thanks for the post.

[rossbotics]

I have made an old Shopsmith wood lathe into a metal working lathe. I have a blog @ "shopsmith metal lathe conversion.wordpress.com" There are lots of pictures of the conversion. Feel free to email me @ "flying.k@juno.com

Clever, looks like it will work to me

Doug

[DIYer]

Thanks paulk! We've added your Wood Lathe Conversion to our Lathes category,
as well as to your builder page: paulk's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Wood Lathe Conversion by paulk

tags: lathe, conversion, modification

[JoeVanGeaux]

Great idea! I don't have a ShopSmith or anything like it, but seeing the use of that wheel hub, itself, as a pulley is worth checking out the rest of your build.

[Jon]

Congratulations paulk - your Lathe Conversion is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

Nice use of a wheel hub and brake drum! There are also more photos of this build on paulk's blog at: ShopsmithMetalLatheConversion.wordpress.com.

Some more nice picks from this week:

Bench Vise Jaws by rossbotics
Angle Grinder Sander Attachment by Tuomas
Vise by threesixesinarow
Variable Frequency Drive Noise Reduction by rgsparber
Screw Stands by Frank S
Morse Taper Tang by Bony
5-Panel Bench by Downeast Thunder

paulk - we've added your tool entry to our All Homemade Tool of the Week winners post. And, you'll now notice the wrench-on-pedestal award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:



You'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

Nice work!

[rossbotics]

Congratulations on your win

Doug

[paulk]

Thank you for the award. I would like the award to be Amazon. I will purchase more bearings. My email is "flying.k@juno.com" I'm overwhelmed, Paul Kuphaldt

[Jon]

Great, just sent it. Congrats again; looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[Dztoolz]

I like this idea but I will be out a drill press.is it permanent or can you switch back?