Cut my first prototype on my newest jig. All in all, I'm pretty happy with it. Lathe has an indexing plate and I wanted to put it to use. My goal is to cut slots with the better precision than my table saw. Also facets should be a breeze. I already had the router. Only thing I had to get is the linear motion rails, 2 of them from Amazon was under 40 bucks. Smooth motion and zero slop. I need to do a little tweaking on the alignment. The top of the jig is fully adjustable so i can make sure the cuts are straight and true. I didn't want a jig that depended on me holding the router just right. I am replacing the wood base under the router with one made of 3/16 steel , being laser cut at work.
My most sophisticated jig yet
- Thread starter KenB259
- Start date
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RichAldrich
Member
Wow! Good one!
Paul in OKC
Member
Now you done it. Gone and made us think of something else we need 
. Nice set up!
. Nice set up!
howsitwork
Member
Ken
Looks good thus far
but looking at the lathe do you have to use a spanner to secure the tailstock??? Or have you substituted a splined locking knob to make life easier so,you can lock it from the top?
Looks good thus far
but looking at the lathe do you have to use a spanner to secure the tailstock??? Or have you substituted a splined locking knob to make life easier so,you can lock it from the top?
Not sure what you mean, the tail stock is normal, no modifications. In the picture it's just moved back.
Kenny Durrant
Member
Amazing. I hate building jigs. You not only seem to enjoy it your really good at it.
I absolutely love building jigs. I like the problem solving aspect of it. I make my pen blanks 6 inches. This jig I specifically wanted it to accommodate that length. Took a fair amount of figuring that out because of the router footprint. If you look close you can see I miscalculated the correct height. I had to build up by 1/2 inch where the rails went. Otherwise the router didn't clear the live center. That little router has quite a bit of plunge depth. It has the range to plunge clear through the blank, even though it will never have to go more than halfway.
Dalecamino
Local Chapter Leader
"at is kewl!
dogcatcher
Member
Amazing, so simple, but so effective.
JBidinger
Member
Nice! Linear rails even.
That's the sophisticated part
PatrickR
Member
Really nice. I could see myself building a free standing version so I don't have to set up and tear down.
KMCloonan
Member
Amazing!
mark james
IAP Collection, Curator
Looking great Ken.
This is the boring part!
Once you can cut the slots accurately the fun begins! Very nice.
This is the boring part!
Once you can cut the slots accurately the fun begins! Very nice.
hcpens
Member
Now you need to hook up a computer to it, and you will have a CNC Lathe.
LOL, it will do what I need as is.
howsitwork
Member
visible hole at front of tailstock is this not f9 the hold down bolt? Don't know that lathe model but on a similar one we have at the club a rachet handle made things much easier and faster to adjust.
very nice jig though and should be phenomenally accurate
I think you're just seeing the end of the handle shaft. The handle is on the back side of the tailstock
mick
Member
Ken, how is the base attached to the lathe?
Also would some 3/16 or 1/4 aluminum work in place of the steel you're having cut?
Also would some 3/16 or 1/4 aluminum work in place of the steel you're having cut?
There is an oak runner that fits snugly between the ways and the in the center of that runner there is a u shaped piece of oak that bolts into the runner that totally tightens it down. Im at work right now, I'll try to get a picture of it tonight. Aluminum would work fine.
Here's a few more pictures. Showing the steel plate, with the router removed, adjustment screws, underneath view, showing the piece between the ways and it's lockdown method. I also added stop blocks so it won't slide off the rails when not being used.
mikespenturningz
Member
Wow what a great idea..
