Woodturning Lathe Build Process

Return to main project page

Some more simple-ish jobs done this evening. I started with a bit of brass bar and shaped the end before using a tailstock die holder to put an M6 thread on the end.

After parting off, I fitted it into its destination hole and marked the angle I wanted the cross-bar to come out at. I then clamped it in a collet block in the milling vice and drilled a blind 6 mm cross-hole:

It then went back to the lathe to have the end tidied up:

For a cross-bar, I got a bit of 6 mm stainless bar and put it in the collet chuck and rounded the end over with a file:

I repeated that process on a second knob and then glued the two stainless bars into their holes with some Loctite 603:

The first knob sits in the back of the tailstock and clamps the tailstock spindle thing in place:

The slightly longer one screws into the end of the tool rest slide and clamps the tool rest in place:

Next up was a bit more work with some 303 stainless bar. I didn't take many photos of the process as it was much the same as above, but I drilled and tapped an M10 hole in the bottom of some 25 mm diameter bar and then cross-drilled 8 mm. I also got a bit of 8 mm stainless bar and drilled and tapped an M5 hole in each end. They went together (without glue) to form the tailstock lock knob, using some M5 cap screws as bar ends.

I also glued a bit of threaded rod into the tailstock t-nut...

... and to be extra sure it wouldn't go anywhere, I peened over the bottom end:

This one is used for locking the tailstock in place. Using M5 cap screws for bar ends means they (and hence the sliding cross-bar) can be easily removed, which makes fitting the tailstock lock nut a lot quicker. Once it's screwed most of the way in, the sliding bar is inserted and the cap screws tightened and then the cross bar can be used to tighten / loosen the tailstock:

I am a hobbyist metalworker and woodworker. I work as an electronic design engineer and spend most of my working days in front of a computer so I enjoy having the opportunity to use my hands and make things in my spare time. I particularly enjoy making tools as I can then use them on other projects. This website showcases some of the things I've made.

This website is free and ad-free, but costs me money to run. If you'd like to support this site, please consider making a small donation or sending me a message to let me know what you liked or found useful.

Please do get in touch if you notice any issues on the site or can think of anything that would be a helpful addition or improvement.