Mini Lathe Multiple Banjos Single Point Threading

[jjr2001]

Here is a pdf for a new banjo for the mini lathe. Two banjos actually. One for fine feed and one for normal threading. It is the one Gadgetbuilder designed. Thanks Gadgetbuilder.

http://www.gadgetbuilder.com/FineFeed.pdf

I liked the threading banjo and thought that with more than one of them I could reduce the setup time when changing threading gears.So I built 4 of them from 6061 aluminum. I made mine a bit different in that I used a 1/4" shoulder bolt for the shaft. The pictures show how I intend to use them. Three are preset for threads that I would use a lot and the 4th is left without gears so it is my "extra" one. In time I am sure they will have my most used threads installed in them. It helps to have two sets of change gears when doing this. I have the original nylon gears and I bought a set of all metal gears. With two sets I can set up just about any combination that I would ever need. I like to mix and match metal and nylon for a quite drive.

I used the original banjo to house the "slow" feed speed gears as supplied with the lathe. It is not too difficult to change between any of the banjos since the only hard to access nut is on the slow feed speed banjo and once it is set I don't change it. So now I have 5 banjos on my mini lathe and can change them fast.

Picture 1 is the original banjo setup with the slow speed factory gears installed on the lathe.
Picture 2 is one of the new banjos in place using a gear for the spacer and simple gearing.
Picture 3 is one of the new banjos in place using an extra lead screw spacer set up for simple gearing.
Picture 4 shows all of the new banjos laid down flat. The one on the left is using compound gearing.
Picture 5 Shows all of the new banjos standing up on the gears.
In picture 6 I attempt to show the banjo, shoulder bolt,washer, spacer,bronze bushing, steel bushing, and nut.
Picture 7 shows the original banjo and the one nut that is required to install it. Easy to install/remove with a 14mm socket and ratchet when switching banjos.

Down the road I will most likely make Gadgetbuilders fine feed banjo.


Cheers, JR