DIY Lathe - What Headstock?

[m_c]

The InTurn development thread can be found on the mach forums - http://www.machsupport.com/forum/ind...c,11422.0.html

IIRC lots of the design aspects were discussed, but it's been a while since I've read through the thread. It's certainly worth having a read if you've got a couple spare hours.

It's a good solution, but the downsides are lathe tool mounting, having to swap the belt to change speeds, and having to continually install/uninstall it.
I can see the appeal if you're limited for space, but I'd opt for a decent lathe.


Lathe spindles are not complicated. Spindle, housing, couple bearings. Job done. The problem is the spindle itself, as you either need to start with a big lump of metal and remove most of it, make it out of two parts and weld/screw it together, or get it forged. And if you want to use a Camlock chuck, you need to find the correct specification document with all the dimensions (Chuck specs are easy to find, but the spindle specs not so).
Off course, you could buy a spindle - http://www.posa-spindle.com/en/index or http://www.royal-spindles.com.tw/
There is the possibility of a headstock from a more hobby type lathe, but I'm not sure who would supply something like that in the UK.