Free 186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook:  
Get 2,000+ tool plans, full site access, and more.

User Tag List

Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: A better approach to adjusting compound angles on mini lathe

  1. #1
    Supporting Member bobs409's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Posts
    201
    Thanks
    449
    Thanked 591 Times in 111 Posts

    bobs409's Tools

    A better approach to adjusting compound angles on mini lathe

    One of the most annoying things about some small lathes is how you adjust the compound angles. You have to back off the compound slide to reveal 2 cap bolts, loosen them, change your setting and tighten them. Then crank the compound all the way back in. Not the right setting? You get to do that all over again!

    I've come up with a simple solution. It's a small bracket that attaches to the back of the compound and gets locked down with a 1/4-20 cap bolt. (from the outside like it should be!) Making angle adjustments are a breeze now. The way it is designed assures you will lock down the setting without the fear of movement.

    I made it from a scrap of angle iron and attached it with 8-32 cap screws. I used my rotary table to cut a curved slot for adjustments. There are (2) 1/4-20 threaded holes, one on the right side and one on the left. Depending on what side of 0 you are on will determine which bolt hole you will use. The 2 cap screws under the compound remain but only get lightly snugged down so you can still turn the top. The new bolt on back is what locks it in place.

    This goes well beyond 45 degrees on both sides of the scale but if you run into some very odd off the scale setting, you can always remove the cap bolt and resort back to those cap bolts under the compound. The bracket can stay in place.

    I've seen a few different idea's out there on how to fix this problem but I think mine is the most simplistic. You have to agree, the materials are certainly cheap enough!

    Also shown in the photo's is a simple way to add a lock to both your cross slide and compound slides. (2) small cap screws were added to each. Just a 1/2 turn on both and your locked in place. Back off 1/2 turn and your back where you started. Your gib settings will stay as you had them.

    A better approach to adjusting compound angles on mini lathe-dscn0984.jpgA better approach to adjusting compound angles on mini lathe-dscn0987.jpgA better approach to adjusting compound angles on mini lathe-dscn0985.jpgA better approach to adjusting compound angles on mini lathe-dscn0986.jpg

    186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook
    Last edited by bobs409; Feb 20, 2018 at 03:44 PM. Reason: fine tuning

  2. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to bobs409 For This Useful Post:

    Alan Purdy (Apr 22, 2019), Jon (Feb 21, 2018), Metallurg33 (Feb 24, 2018), Paul Jones (Feb 26, 2018), PJs (Feb 21, 2018), Seedtick (Feb 21, 2018)

  3. #2
    Content Editor
    Supporting Member
    DIYer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    3,056
    Thanks
    772
    Thanked 1,850 Times in 1,652 Posts


    Thanks bobs409! We've added your Compound Angle Adjuster to our Lathe Accessories category,
    as well as to your builder page: bobs409's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:




    2000 Tool Plans

  4. #3
    Supporting Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    30
    Thanks
    179
    Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts
    That's a good solution to an annoying problem. Thanks



    186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to Metallurg33 For This Useful Post:

    bobs409 (Feb 24, 2018)

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •