Powerstation to use as a lathe

bigeddy · Post by **bigeddy** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:01 pm

I watched one of the sawdust sessions that Nick Engler used the powerstation as a lathe to make pens. My question besides the tool rest and chisels what else do I need to make my powerstation able to work as a mini lathe? I am real new to the shopsmith tools so if there are pages you could refer me to I'd appreciate it. Do I have to use the SS chuck? tailstock can I buy it separately? Thanks in advance

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:05 pm

welcome to the forum, bigeddy. I own a PowerStation but I can not answer any of your questions. I do not know. I did not see the Sawdust Session to which you refer. I'll do some research and if the answers have not already been posted, I will attempt to do so.

However, it sounds like a big job creating the setup. Do you have a Mark 5/V, any version?

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:41 pm

bigeddy wrote:I watched one of the sawdust sessions that Nick Engler used the powerstation as a lathe to make pens. My question besides the tool rest and chisels what else do I need to make my powerstation able to work as a mini lathe? I am real new to the shopsmith tools so if there are pages you could refer me to I'd appreciate it. Do I have to use the SS chuck? tailstock can I buy it separately? Thanks in advance

The basics for turning between centers are a tailstock and tool rest. For pens, you can use a drill chuck and chuck the pen mandrel or you can buy a mandrel that fits the 5/8" shaft of the power station quill. On the other end you will want a live center mounted in the tailstock. In the video, Nick basically recreates a portion of the Crafters station that holds the table and uses it to hold the tool rest.

Penn State Industries has many items available for pen turning including mandrels, live centers, pen blanks, pen and pencil kits and turning tools. In fact they offer a free DVD that includes a 10% discount on your purchase( http://www.pennstateind.com/store/DVD.html )The tool rest, tailstock and drill chuck (if you decide to go that route) can be purchased from Shopsmith, Ebay or other users that have excess parts (like me).

I am sure others will have more to add. Have fun with it.

bigeddy · Post by **bigeddy** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:54 pm

I am in the process of getting a Mark V it is wounded and needs some tlc. I have been trying to watch all the sawdust sessions I can find. I watched the Goldie rebuild and am pretty mechanically inclined so I look forward to the challenge of making the Mark V sing like a robin in the spring. I would like to dedicate the powerstation to being a minilathe and occasional bandsaw and jointer. Thanks for the reply

bigeddy · Post by **bigeddy** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:58 pm

Thanks Rob being a newbie I need all the help I can get. I have spent a good portion of my Navy years in San Diego I miss the warm weather. Thanks for the info.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:33 pm

Big E: FWIW YOU and ONLY you can delete the duplicate thread.

edit it, go to advanced and click on ALL "delete" this prompts. Specify duplicate as the 'reason'.

bigeddy · Post by **bigeddy** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:50 pm

Thank you for the info, I'm a computer geek but this is the first forum I have really tried to use. I've been working with computer networks for 30+ years I guess I shouldve learned to communicate via forums a long time ago .

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:05 pm

bigeddy wrote:I am in the process of getting a Mark V it is wounded and needs some tlc. I have been trying to watch all the sawdust sessions I can find. I watched the Goldie rebuild and am pretty mechanically inclined so I look forward to the challenge of making the Mark V sing like a robin in the spring. I would like to dedicate the powerstation to being a minilathe and occasional bandsaw and jointer. Thanks for the reply

If your Mark V has the basic accessories then you should be set for a drill chuck, tool rest and tailstock for the Power Station.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:05 pm

bigeddy wrote:Thank you for the info, I'm a computer geek but this is the first forum I have really tried to use. I've been working with computer networks for 30+ years I guess I shouldve learned to communicate via forums a long time ago .

You picked a goodun to start with!! Welcome aboard! We have been known to 'discuss'(t) computer 'issues' on occasion!:D

bigeddy · Post by **bigeddy** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:20 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Big E: FWIW YOU and ONLY you can delete the duplicate thread.

edit it, go to advanced and click on ALL "delete" this prompts. Specify duplicate as the 'reason'.

Sorry something missing in translation. No all button and where is delete?