Lathe Cross Slide Handle Improvement

[mklotz]

Not to hijack Paul's thread but allow me to add a note for future readers...

For those who wish to make their own rotating handles, I've found a simple method using a shoulder bolt. Choose a bolt with the required thread that has a shoulder long enough to make a reasonable handle. Make a cylinder of suitable material (I like brass) a touch longer than the un-threaded portion of the selected bolt. Drill/bore/ream this cylinder to a nice free-running fit on the shoulder of the bolt. Counterbore so the head of the bolt is hidden in end of the cylinder when inserted fully. Trim the length of the cylinder so that when the bolt is tightened down the cylinder is still able to turn freely.

The exterior surface of the cylinder can be shaped/milled/knurled/whatever to suit your artistic fancy.