mini lathe gear change solution

Greetings fellow head scratchers,
The Chinese mini lathe is often described like a kit you have to assemble, adjust and redesign properly. I have a Sieg C2.

The most annoying and ridiculous design fault is the gear change system. One has to be an ambidextrous contortionist to change gears on these things, so for those that aren't, here is my solution...

Firstly the bottom curved slide nut, replace with a joiner nut that clears the gear wheel or make one out of brass hex.

Attachment 24323

Attachment 24324

The straight slide is adjusted by an almost inaccessible nut which to loosen or tighten requires numerous re-positioning of spanner...Grr

This design allows tightening of gear and position simultaneously.

Attachment 24325

(measurements will vary on different machines)

Attachment 24326

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The clip spring is the spline from a car windscreen wiper blade, bit of bending and a couple of slots in bracket to hold in place.

Attachment 24330

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I thought the clip and nut would hit the gear housing above it with certain gear combinations but doesn't.

Till next time, Cheers

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Thanks Stevohdee! We've added your Mini Lathe Gear Changer Modification to our Lathes category,
as well as to your builder page: Stevohdee's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-mini-lathe-gear-changer-modification"> <img src="/uploads/214972/homemade-mini-lathe-gear-changer-modification.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-mini-lathe-gear-changer-modification">Mini Lathe Gear Changer Modification</a> <span> by <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/builder/Stevohdee">Stevohdee</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/lathe'>lathe</a>, <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/modification'>modification</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
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Not sure how I missed this the other day Steveohdee but Great tips and fixes. I did some work on the banjo on my early on but really like the retainer clip from the WSWB spring steel...Nice! When I get a chance I'll give your top hat sleeve a try. Great post, Thanks!

PJ