Grayson Lathe

Edited By Steve Garnett on 03/10/2011 23:28:45

Mike

Do you have a countershaft unit and simply need set up instructions or are you going to have to fabricate a unit?

If you need to make one I have a PDF "concept write-up" describing a couple of relatively easy to make set-ups based on ones I built for my two SouthBend 9" lathes. Both can be made without needing access to a working lathe but they are concepts only, not full designs, intended to be easily adaptable to use a variety of functionally equivalent components selected from whatever can be obtained cheaply or is in the handy box. If you fancy a copy contact me and I'll E-mail it.

Whatever countershaft you use a poly-vee "serpentine" belt of the type used on modern car engine accessory drives makes an excellent substitute for old style leather belts. Run it Vee side down, ant decent belt'n bearing supplier has a variety of widths and lengths not too expensive.

For measuring cut you could fit suitable size disks or dials to the cross and compound feed handles and stick a printed scale generated by your computer drawing program on. A band round the edge looks more proper but is harder to make as the length has to be right for the disk diameter. One stuck on the face is effective although you will need a pointer extended over the edge to show the reading. Laser print and varnish is pretty durable, 2 to 3 years at least unless thinners or something similarly aggressive gets on them, and replacements are easily made.

Hi Mike

If you have a look on E-Bay, use the search phrase "flat drive belt" you'll find several suppliers who do it by the meter and can supply the alligator clips to join it.

I bought mine from the chap in Penrhyndeudraeth, quick delivery and also wrote out the instructions for the clips. Very helpful.

Keith