Adjustable Dials for a Smithy Combo Lathe.

[astroracer]

When I bought my Smithy back in 1992 it didn't have an adjustable dial option.

After using it for a while I knew it needed them just for the repeatability. I made the dials out of some 1/2" aluminum plate, bored the I.D. to just fit over the original dials and drilled and tapped for an 8-32 screw.
The Cross-Slide Dial.

The Lead Screw Dial.

I used an indicator set on the ways to mark the dials. They are marked at .001 increments and are accurate enough for 95% of the work I do. I have been using them for so long I pretty well know how to "read" them for anything requiring more accuracy.
The little knobs where made the same way and the button head screws thread into them. A bit of thread locker and they haven't come apart in many years.

Mark

[DIYer]

Thanks astroracer! We've added your Adjustable Lathe Dials to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: astroracer's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Adjustable Lathe Dials by astroracer

tags: lathe, adjustable