Wood is one of the materials that is easy to process. Moreover, for the work does not need any complex tools, just a simple set. And things that come out from under the chisels will amaze with their beauty and functionality. On the lathes you can make any products that have the form of rotation - these are balusters for stairs, and pens for various equipment, and even kitchen utensils. In the article we will try to tell you as much as possible about how to make a mini-lathe on a tree with your own hands.
Machine purpose
The main purpose of the device is the manufacture of wood products in which the shape is either cylindrical or close to it. With the help of the machine you can make a wonderful staircase for the porch of a country house. After all, with the help of an ax and a planer, it is unlikely to complete all the work. But a do-it-yourself mini-lathe made on wood can easily cope with the task.
If you fill your hand, then you can significantly save on various elements of the decor. You can even start your start-up - to make and sell products. Handmade wood products are greatly appreciated on the market. Whether it is necessary to acquire such a tool is, of course, up to you to decide. If you plan to make just a couple of wood pens, then it’s more reasonable to purchase them, since the cost is not very high. But if there is a desire to develop and manufacture more serious structures, then it is better to get a machine tool.
How does the machine work and what does it consist of?
The machine works according to a very simple principle. A blank in the form of a cylinder is placed and fixed along the axis of rotation. Using a special mechanism, the workpiece is set in motion. In order to give the workpiece the desired shape, cutters or files are simply brought to it.
The main structural elements:
- Bed with components attached to it.
- Electric drive.
- Front and rear headstock.
- The hand of the.
To work on the machine as comfortable as possible, it is necessary to use devices to adjust the speed of rotation of the electric motor. If we are talking about professional machines, then they use a full gear shift box. In the simplest case, this is a belt drive with several pulleys having different diameters. But it is much more efficient to use an electronic speed controller or a frequency converter.
How to make a bed?
The bed is a frame directly on which installation of all components of the machine is carried out. The quality of the entire unit depends on how reliable it is. Therefore, in the manufacture of it is best to use a corner made of steel. It is allowed to use profile pipes (only of rectangular cross section, since they have higher bending resistance).
First you need to outline all the dimensions of the future machine. This indicator will depend on the purpose for which it is planned to use a woodworking machine. On average, the size should be about 80 cm - this is enough to independently make any home decorations. Blanks for the bed are cut using a grinder or a hacksaw for metal.
Lay two profile pipes at a distance of 5 cm. Please note that they must lie flat. Using clamps, fix the longitudinal elements of the bed - there will be three in total. You install two of them at the edges, while the third must be placed about 20 cm from the left edge. This element will serve as a support for the front headstock. These are approximate data, they may vary, directly depend on the model of the electric motor and pulleys.
With a high-quality and reliable seam now connect all the elements of the bed. Immediately you need to decide what you will use the wood mini-lathe for. With your own hands, it is not difficult to make all the elements. You can install the design on the table or mount it separately on the floor. If you choose the second option, you will have to make legs. As a material, you can use a wooden beam, a metal corner or a professional pipe. And you can use an old workbench or a reliable table.
Which engine to use?
The main part of the drive is an electric motor. Its main parameter is power. For home use, any asynchronous motor with power from 1.2 to 2 kW is suitable. But pay attention to what network the motor is connected to. If to single-phase, then there will be no problems. But if to three-phase, then you will have to use capacitors to shift the voltage. And this will reduce engine power. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase an inexpensive frequency converter.
If you want to make a small desktop mini-lathe for wood with your own hands, then the motor from the washing machine will be enough. Of course, he is unlikely to be able to work with large workpieces, but making small products on him is not a problem.
Drive: belt or direct?
In order to set the workpiece in motion, one of the common methods can be used. The simplest is direct. The workpiece is installed directly on the shaft of the electric motor. But this type of drive has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, it is the inability to adjust the speed of rotation (however, this minus disappears if regulators or inverters are used). Secondly, the load on the electric motor is quite substantial. No matter how you center the workpiece, a strong vibration will surely appear.
In order to protect the electric motor from breakdowns, it is best to make a belt drive. By the way, if there is a desire, then you can replace it with a chain. Such a mini-wood lathe for a home can work in a variety of modes. That's just it will have to be lubricated from time to time. An electric motor with such a drive scheme should be located at a distance from the axis of rotation of the workpiece.
If you use several pulleys with different diameters, you will be able to adjust the speed of rotation without third-party devices. If you plan to make a mini-lathe for metal with your own hands, it is recommended to use belts with three or more brooks (for example, from car generators).
Front and rear headstock
The workpiece should be located between two devices, which are called headstock - front (leading) and rear (fixed). The headstock is a metal structure in the shape of the letter P. A shaft and pulleys are mounted on bearings between the side faces. The case is preferably made of thick steel. The whole structure is securely connected with bolts.
The tailstock is necessary in order to support the workpiece so that it rotates freely. Therefore, the workpiece needs to be lubricated from time to time at the point of contact with the headstock. The cost of finished elements for industrial machines is not very high, so you can buy it on the market. But if there is no way to do this, then you can use a cartridge from a powerful drill. Install a metal pin with a pointed end into it. Both headstock are mounted on a bed, their axis of rotation should ideally match. This is the main requirement for a homemade mini wood lathe.
The hand of
The handicraft is a part of the machine on which the tool will rely on during operation. There are many ways to complete this part. The main thing is that you should later be convenient to use the machine. The simplest handcuff is a simple corner fixed on the base. Moreover, the upper edge should be opposite the axis of rotation of the headstock.
Electric drill construction
You can make a mini-lathe from a drill with your own hands. You probably have at least one electric drill. This tool is universal. Make it a simple lathe is not difficult. True, it is necessary to make a reliable bed. And the drill will simultaneously perform the functions of the drive and the headstock. The main thing is to securely attach the drill body to the bed.
The simplest design is a board or thick plywood, on which an emphasis with a latch and a tailstock are installed. As you can see, making a mini-lathe with your own hands is not such a difficult task. But with the help of such equipment you can not only decorate your home, but also make decent money.