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Powerstation to use as a lathe
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:01 pm
by bigeddy
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
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:05 pm
by dusty
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?
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:41 pm
by SDSSmith
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.
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:54 pm
by bigeddy
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
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:58 pm
by bigeddy
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.
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:33 pm
by JPG
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'.
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:50 pm
by bigeddy
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 .
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:05 pm
by SDSSmith
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.
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:05 pm
by JPG
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
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:20 pm
by bigeddy
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?