Brainstorming

[ronald44181000]

After browsing what is available and then deciding that as a group we could possibly do it better. I've decided to start a new thread, concerning the construction of a members own screw cutting/turret lathe.
In my mind the lathe will require either an R-8 or Morse Taper 3 spindle. Along with having 26 inches between centers as a starting point. Personally I'm leaning to a cross-slide based on one by Edgar T. Westbury which is retractable. Also it must be within the constraints that is buildable by any of our current and new members. It would have power cross feed and be capable of taper as well as internal and external thread cutting.

Maybe we could get the administrators of this site to provide a folder within which all ideas and drawings could be deposited.
Any suggestions?????????????

[loose nut]

A 5C or ER collet for the headstock would be better than an R8. MT collets are fairly universal but the others have a better size selection. There are numerous lathe designs in old Model Engineer magazines if you can get them but tend to be smallish.

[cameron]

Are you referring to "A Capstan Attachment for Small Lathes " by Westbury, which appeared in Model Engineer in 1941?

[achtanelion]

I don't see any reason why a combined MT/ER spindle would be impossible, thereby giving you the best of both worlds.

J

[loose nut]

You can put an adapter for 5C or ER collets in a MT socket, size limitations apply but an R8 wouldn't be a good idea.