Discription
This mod removes the compound from the lathe in its entirety. The compound on this lathe is the weakest part of this lathe and severally limits its capability.
Before the compound was removed only very light cuts could be attempted and using carbide insert tools was essentially impossible. After this mod I can make heavy (.150) cuts in steel using carbide inserts with ease. This setup is very solid and makes a WORLD of difference in the performance of the lathe.
This is actually a very simple mod in that no modification to the cross slide is required at all. You just remove the compound and replace it with the new solid tool post mount.
Parts List
1. Tool post mounting block: 4″ x 4 “x 1.375” 1018 steel.
If you machine the block carefully with reference to the compound height you can use
all the tool holders between the rigid block and the compound without having to adjust them.
2. Tool Post bolt: 14mm x 5″ O1 tool steel, threaded 14-2 mm both ends (this can be any thread you like just as long as it fits the tool post) Note: you may use the tool post bolt from the compound but I elected to make a new one because the Chinese one didn’t fit the tool post very well.
3. Thread Plates: (2) 6mm thick 1018 steel, threaded 8mm thru.
These thread plates slip into the T-Nut slots on the cross slide to hold the tool post mounting block down to the cross slide. Care should be taken when machining these to keep a good fit between the cross slide and mounting block.
4. Mounting hardware: (4) 8mm hex head cap screws – (1) 14-2mm flange nut.
The mounting hardware can be just about any thing you want
