SHOPSMITH METAL LATHE CONVERSION

[paulk]

I have made an old Shopsmith wood lathe into a metal working lathe. I have a blog @ "shopsmith metal lathe conversion.wordpress.com" with lots of pictures. Feel free to email me @ "flying.k@juno.com"

This is my conversion of the Shop Smith 10E multi machine into a metal
working lathe. The Shop Smith wood working multi machine was produced from 1947 to
1953. It is such a well built, heavy simple tool. There are plenty
still around today on Craigs List.

The main changes of design are the drive shaft and slowing the drive
shaft speed to accomodate machining steel and other metals.
The original drive shaft is removed and replaced with a length of 3/4"
schedule 80 black iron pipe. The drive end of the pipe is turned down to
a sliding fit on the 6205 bearing.

A flange to hold a 3 or 4 jaw chuck is squarely welded to the non
machined end of the pipe "shaft". An alternate would be to thread the
pipe and screw on a heavy duty 4 bolt pipe flange. Your chuck is then
bolted to the flange.

Fab a bushing to mount the 6210 bearing on the quill for the chuck end of the drive shaft.
The 6210 bearing is fitted to the outside of the quill and the back side of the chuck mounting flange.

The speed reduction is achieved by installing a 12" pulley on the drive
end of the shaft. In this case, I made a sliding pulley using a 3/4 ton
Chevy hub and brake drum on a sliding mount using a 1 1/4" and 1 1/2"
.090 wall square tubing. I also made an intermediate shaft & 5 step pulley.

I mounted an old lathe taper attachment to the Shopsmith carriage for Y Travel. The tool holder is all homemade.

The X Y travels are controlled with 1/2" all thread rods. Also the quill can be used for X travel.

The head rest and tie bar are moved inboard of the power head making room for drive
pulley and belts.

The last 5 pictures show my using a hand held grinder for fine finishing work.

Copying this conversion design is at your own risk. I refuse any
liability for any project you create.

Nice use of a wheel hub and brake drum! There are also more photos of this build on paulk's blog at: ShopsmithMetalLatheConversion.wordpress.com

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