mini lathe

thingiverse

This model's not perfect or precise, especially when it comes to the chuck. I built this mock-up as prep work for constructing a mini lathe from jarrah using only hand tools. The lathe relies on a 540 brushless RC car motor, ESC, and a servo tester for speed control and shutdown functions, with a NiMH battery positioned safely underneath out of harm's way near sharp edges. There's no live center; the wood simply spins around the pointed metal piece that I'll machine myself later. Between the motor shaft and chuck lies a coupler from a CNC system that allows for some give in case there are minor discrepancies in the drilling alignment of the three plates holding the motor and the hole through which the shaft passes, which is fitted with a small ball bearing.