Duplicating jig for lathe

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 7:49 am

I saw this in an old copy of SS Shavings - It's a duplicating jig for work on the lathe. I realize this copy is hard to read, but basically the vertical post is set in the rear carriage hole. The horizontal post holds various "leaves" that are set against the already turned stock at set distances. When the lathe tool cuts the stock to the proper depth, the leaves fall. Pretty clever. The old Shopsmith material certainly has some neat ideas. Alec

Duplicating Jig

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 2:06 pm

Hey Eastern! good find!

Also refer to posts 10 & 11 in the attached: http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... ght=dancer

This article from Popular Woodworking may still be available (it was in February) Looks like a this Tom Chapman (SS) system would make another good way to set up, using the PW method as a guide. (or vice versa) Looks like the SS system came first, and may be easier to make.

Again - Good find! Thanks for your post.

It is still on my to-do list. Gotta get one of those round tuits.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:28 am

That's a funny looking contraption. Me, I just use my calipers, they do the same thing.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:01 pm

woodburner wrote:That's a funny looking contraption. Me, I just use my calipers, they do the same thing.

I agree - funny lookin' - Yep! calipers do the same thing, but if there is many identical things to turn, it should work as effectively as a lathe duplicator, for a lot less $$.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:02 pm

Hi Chuck,

This is not actually a lathe duplicator. It only measures the depths of the grooves you place on your spindle turnings before cutting your coves and beads. It doesn't actually cut the details into the turning as you would using a spindle gouge and skew, or how an actual lathe duplicator will.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:19 pm

Well, it only says it's a duplicating jig, not a lathe duplicator. I haven't done a lot of lathe work, but it seems to me that a bunch of identical spindles wouldn't seem hand made to me. Who's going to notice a table leg with one bead 1/16" larger than the others. Not me, and it would be rude to inspect someone's work that closely anyway.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:06 am

Woodburner - You've got to see the article in Popular Woodworking. You can place as many dancers on the rod as you wish. You can dance around every detail.

Geez, Bruce! Every time I go into someone's home for the first time, I always lay down on my back and scoot under their tables to look at the construction. Hmmm, maybe that's why I never get invited back!

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:24 pm

Charlese,

I don't think we're on the same page with this.

1. All the lathe duplicators I have ever used actually do the cutting with two major parts, a tip holder and a follower. The follower runs along the sample project piece or a cutout made of hardboard/MDF that is usually mounted above the workpiece, and the follower guides the tip holder along the same path. The tip, usually made of carbide, does the actual cutting of the wood.

2. The duplicator you're talking about is used more as a measuring device used in conjuction with your regular turning chisels. The dancers measure the depth of cut you are making on the opposite side with a lathe chisel and fall away when the the depth is reached. That is more of a measurement and I can do the same thing with my lathe calipers.

There are big difference between the two duplicators. Even the SS lathe duplicator works the way I described in paragraph 1. The SS type is a handheld version. Other duplicators are attached to the lathe and work by turning a wheel, which moves it along the length of the lathe following the sample piece and cutting the workpiece.

I have read the article in the magazine and the one decribed is used more as a measuring device than an actual duplicator. I must say that it does look like it will duplicate measurements well, but it doesn't do any of the actual cutting. I would say it is more of a measurement duplicator than anything else.

It seems that it might be more trouble than its worth, for me anyway. I was brought up using the lathe and making spindles using calipers and open-end wrenches to take the measurements. Yes, I said open-end wrenches. Setting up and measuring all those dancers seems like a lot of time when I can be actually turning and making shavings. I guess I'm to old to change my ways now.

If you plan on making this duplicator, let me know how it works out for you. I'm curious if it can save you time.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:40 pm

woodburner wrote:Charlese,
I don't think we're on the same page with this....
If you plan on making this duplicator, let me know how it works out for you. I'm curious if it can save you time.

You are right on, Woody! I agree with everything you wrote above!

It dawned on me, right after I posted, you are thinking of a duplicator as something that actually follows and also cuts. I understand! (After all that's what their manufacturers named them)

My interpretation of duplicators has not been as specific. So I tend to think of any jig that assists in making exact (or nearly so) copies on a lathe as a duplicator (jig).

In my limited turnings, I used calipers as well as templates and story boards for sizing. I think of dancers as being - just another configuration of calipers that are fixed to the machine.

Yes, a dancer jig may be a pain to make, but when I get that "round tuit", I'll post some photos. The "tuit" may be found pretty soon, as I think the overall shutter project might take a break.

Don't think of anyone (even yourself) as being too old to change. Check out my age! Change, innovation, new knowledge, and wisdom keeps us pumping. (Gota find some ways to overcome old stiff bones)