Wood Lathe Accessories, Tools, and Tips for Woodturning

You can purchase a wood lathe in many sizes. On the small side are bench-top mini lathes with motors as small as 1/3 HP.  These lathes weigh less than 50 pounds (23 kg). On the large side are lathes with 3 HP motors weighing over 900 pounds (408 kg). As the name suggests, a wood lathe turns wood. However, some turners also use their wood lathes to turn antlers, acrylics, laminates, nuts, banksia pods, alabaster, etc.

A wood lathe spins the workpiece, while you move cutting tools by hand to create smooth curves and contours. There is a variety of lathes on the market today. Most turners will recommend that you buy the biggest lathe you can afford. Since you can turn tiny pieces on a big lathe, but you cannot turn large pieces on a small lathe. When purchasing a lathe, it is also important to look for a lathe with a standard spindle size, threads, and tapers. This will make it easier to find accessories. Following are some helpful tips on wood lathes.

Wood lathe tools, accessories, and tips for mini and bowl woodturning lathes. Includes information on swing, live center, and buying a wood lathe that is for sale.

1. Know how to measure the “swing” of a wood lathe.

Realize on many lathes, the “swing over the tool rest” might be several inches less than the “swing over the bed”. On some lathes the banjo might be 2” (5cm) or more in height. For example, in the image below the lathe has a 16” (41cm) swing. (The swing is twice the distance from the bed of the lathe to the center of the spindle.) If you want the banjo under the workpiece, then the maximum piece that you can mount would be less.  For this particular lathe, it might be only 12” (30cm) in diameter.

Wood Lathe. (Photo courtesy of JPW Industries: http://www.jpwindustries.com)
Wood Lathe. (Photo courtesy of JPW Industries)

2. Know how to measure the “size” of a wood lathe.

Realize you will most likely not be able to turn a workpiece as long as the specified “size” of the lathe. The size of the lathe is the distance from the headstock to the tailstock (i.e., “distance between centers“). The size of the lathe illustrated is 42” (107cm). However, do not expect to turn a piece that long. This dimension does not include any accessories in either the headstock or the tailstock (e.g., a drive center or live center). On my lathe with an advertised 34½” (88cm) distance between centers, the maximum length that I can turn is 27½” (70cm) – with a drive center in the headstock and a live center in the tailstock. You can slightly extend this maximum length by having the headstock and/or tailstock overhang the bed of the lathe.

3. Purchase live centers with a standard angle.

Almost all wood turning centers have an angle of 60°. A 60-degree point angle has become the standard (at least in the U.S) because this angle is very durable, and yet still can accurately position and hold the workpiece on the lathe.

60 degree live center for wood lathe.

4. Know the most common tapers sizes.

On wood turning lathes the most common accessories are either MT1 (Morse Taper #1) or MT2 (Morse Taper #2). So when purchasing a lathe, always look for a lathe where the taper on the headstock and tailstock is MT1 or MT2. Shown below are some accessories that have a MT2. Note: Some manufactures use the term 2MT as opposed to MT2.

Collection of accessories with Morse tapers.
Collection of accessories with Morse tapers.

5. Know how to determine the “Spindle Thread Size” of a lathe.

Faceplates, chucks, and other accessories come in a variety of spindle thread sizes. Knowing the spindle thread size on your lathe will help ensure you purchase the correct accessory or adaptor. Shown below is a spindle thread specification of 1¼” x 8.  This indicates the outside diameter of the spindle is 1¼” and it has 8 threads per inch.

A 1¼” x 8 spindle has 8 threads per inch.
A 1¼” x 8 spindle has 8 threads per inch.

6. Understand how a Morse taper works.

A Morse taper is a self-holding machine taper. It can securely hold live centers and drive centers in either the headstock or tailstock. The friction of the surfaces and the wedging action of the taper holds it in place. The angle of the taper varies slightly from one Morse taper number to the next. As a specific example, a Morse Taper #2 has a 0.0500 taper per inch. Resulting in 1.43 degrees as shown below. To remove a Morse taper accessory from the headstock, light tab it with a knockout bar. To remove accessories from the tailstock, fully withdraw the quill into the tailstock releasing the accessory.

Morse Taper #2
Morse Taper #2

7. Know the different types of centers.

You insert a “live center” or “dead center” into the tailstock when turning between centers to press and hold the workpiece. A live center contains ball bearings that allow the center to rotate along with the workpiece. A dead center remains stationary in the tailstock and does not rotate with the workpiece. When using a dead center, many turners will apply some form of lubrication to keep the piece from squeaking as it turns. On the other hand, you typically insert a “drive center” into the headstock of a lathe to bite into the wood and transfer the rotational force to the workpiece.

8. Consider purchasing a lathe with electronic variable-speed.

The electronic variable speed makes it easy to change the speeds. The digital RPM readout makes it easy to keep track of your exact spindle speed. In addition, the multi-range pulleys provide maximum torque at various speeds. As shown below, by opening the access door on the headstock, and loosening the tension, you can reposition the belt in either the low or high RPM setting.

9. Consider purchasing a lathe that has a phase converter.

Better lathes use an inverter to convert 1 phase into 3 phase electric power. Three phase motors produce almost a constant or uniform torque at various speeds, in particular at lower speeds. On the other hand, single-phase motors produce a pulsating torque and have less torque at lower rpms.

10. Consider using the lathe for clamping.

Don’t forget about using the tailstock of the lathe for clamping pressure when gluing segmented rings together.

A few common lathe brands include Delta, General International, Grizzly, Jet, Nova, Powermatic, PSI, Robust, Rockler, Shop Fox, Woodtek.

 

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