off topic winter projects

That lathe brought back memories Pete. I didnt think it was possible until you said it was from 1948. My grandfather (passed away early 70s) was quite a woodworker and had that exact lathe in his shop, along with a band saw and a joiner/planer. Everything else was hand tools. Did nice work. Takes me back.

8122pbrainard wrote: Now it’s on to using the lathe which I haven’t done since college. I’ve got some chucks of left over maple so I think I’ll turn a simple plate for my wife!

It sure brought back some memories!!







Using the lathe confirmed that I do need to make a riser block for under the tool rest bracket. I did suspect that with the risers under the head and tail stocks and not being able to raise the tool rest up enough, it would create some issues with cutting. Another block of aluminum is on it's way from McMaster!!

My daughter saw the plate and knows about some of my old lathe projects so, she gave me a new one - A salad bowl set for her wedding! At least the wedding present won't cost me much!!

those are a different kinda bowl then what i use to make in woodshop

Pete, Nice work, what a personal gift for your daughters big day. Despite its hardnes I have found jatoba flooring runs through a saw easier than maple, is turning different?

I'm still having fun with the lathe. Here's the latest for my wife's birthday. Yes, I know it's not a good idea to get something cooking oriented for her but I hope she'll appreciate it since I made it. Ether that or she'll hit me with it!





It's hard to see a size reference from the picture. The pin itself is 3" dia. and 12" in length less the handles.

Greg, (or anyone)
Want to take a shot at ID'ing the wood?

8122pbrainard wrote: I'm still having fun with the lathe. Here's the latest for my wife's birthday. Yes, I know it's not a good idea to get something cooking oriented for her but I hope she'll appreciate it since I made it. Ether that or she'll hit me with it! It's hard to see a size reference from the picture. The pin itself is 3" dia. and 12" in length less the handles. Greg, (or anyone) Want to take a shot at ID'ing the wood?

I will have a stab at Brazilian Kingwood, which if right is apt as its for your Queen, still think your living dangerous with that.....always give something that won't hurt when thrown.........sponges are good.

Pete, the saying is more like, "never give or make her something that she can beat you on the head with"

gun-driver wrote: Honduras Rosewood

Paul,
Sorry but that's not it!

Damn!!

Pete by the way that looks like the lathe my dad had when I was growing up.

pete, what does one of your salad bowl sets cost ??? or even just one big salad bowl i would pay to have a set of hand made bowls. Why ??? i dont know it just seems american. Nothing but talent and i respect that. Not a company getting there products imported from somewhere else. Very cool

if Obama and his crew are gonna fix it we will be dead or broke or dead-broke..but in any case very unlucky.


john

Roger,
Compound cross slides were a option with the lathe as well as 3 and 4 jaw chucks. I have been keeping my eye open on ebay!! The only problem is the slides have been selling for several hundred!

Well, I've finally gotten to making the project I really bought the wood lathe for! I've mentioned it before that I have a 1918 (rough guess) launch that one of these days I'll be starting a restoration on. I probably mentioned it in the thread on the 1927 Universal Flexifour I rebuilt for it. Anyway, the launch came with the original search light as well as the nav lights which as kerosene. The search light was originally acetylene using a generator with carbide and water like a miners light. It had been converted to electric I assume when the launch was repowered with a engine with electric. I will be converting it back to acetylene. I found that parts for the old model T gas headlights will fit like the burner and it's base. The actual generator is a different story - long gone and if you find one that works are way up there $$$$$!! I'll keep looking for one I can clean up and hide a bottle of Burnz-o-matic acetylene inside it!!

The problem with the light is the brass is in real bad shape and cracked. Old brass get's real brittle when the zinc leaches out over time. The same happens with brass screws and the reason only silica bronze screws should be used on wood boats. (There are some out there who have found this out - the hard way!!)

You can see there are actually pieces of brass broken out.




So, I need to have new brass spun but the big cost is the spinning plug that the metal is spun over. I had plenty of wood laying around so here's the results.

The finished plug for the main body:


The plug next to the light:


The finished plug for the door (bezel):


The plug next to the door:


The biggest challenge on both plugs is because there are male sections on the spinning, the plugs needed to be made so they could be disassembled in on themselves. Lots of screws and even some metal dowel pins inside.

i just saw 8 of those lights on e-Bay, they were new still in the box...and a buy now of 200.00 for all 8   lol

I'm pretty sure Eric is pulling your leg Pete. Now how about that metal spinning? Are you able to do that or do you have to farm that out? At least there is no chrome involved!