Convert Wood Lathe from hand held tooling

[Wobblybootie]

Further to my post I would like to put a few thoughts forward for comment please.

Having spoken to Gary (Zapp) All my original ideas have been binned. So I have had a rethink ...

If I want to use 'fixed' tooling, and use the lathe as normal I would need to power the spindle with a servo motor, enabling me to slow the spindle speed right down to cut Barley Twists etc. also stop it at precise points for drilling and decoration. The Lathe has the capacity to spin blanks up to 900mm long and 450mm diameter. To machine the outside of a bowl/platter anywhere near 450mm dia. would mean a massive cross slide, however the Headstock can be swivelled 90deg each side of the centre line.

I am wondering about putting the headstock on a rotary base powered by a stepper, using a Kress or similar as a milling head (mounted horizontally) and then I would only need to turn the blank with a large stepper, turning the blank slowly and also around the axis of the C/L. The 'cross slide' would be stepper driven and would also have to rotate to allow the 'bowl' to be hollowed out.

I know I would have to build a 'saddle' from scratch and a whole lot more besides, but my reasons, to me at any rate are sound. I have a market for my bits and pieces that will disappear if I cannot fill it. I am sitting at home with a buggered lower spine, a knackered wrist, sod all income and am going stir crazy. I need a project!!

Feel free to shoot as many holes in the idea as you wish ... the other way could of course be a large milling machine with a 4th axis (which is beyond my financial means).

[steve123]

Hi,
Bit confused,how are you going to cut blanks up to 900mm long if you mount the headstock on a rotary base?,a little sketch may help me get my head round it.
Steve.