Workshop Lathe Jigs and Accessories

At the link you can download the free plans to build a mobile lathe stand for your workshop.

About a month ago, I picked up a Jet 1642 EVS 1 1/2 HP lathe. Since I am primarily a bowl turner, I wanted to raise the lathe up to a more comfortable height. And while the Jet 1642 does weigh 435 lbs by itself, (IMHO) a ballast box for adding some weight would only improve its performance. Information is copyright of its respective owners.

In order to make room in my small shop for a wood lathe that I recently purchased, I had to get rid of an extra workbench. While I did not use the bench all that much, I really missed the machinists vise that was mounted on it. But then it dawned on me that I could still use the machinist is vise by simply mounting it to the tailstock end of the lathe.

Three-jaw chucks are useful when turning small pieces at low speed, and permits multi-axis turning. This shop-made chuck can be made from scraps of maple and a few machine screws.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a foot-powered lathe with a scroll saw attachment. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

To make most tools you need to be able to turn a handle, drill a hole, cut a piece of steel, tap the hole in the steel, and put it all together. Since tapping is no harder than driving a screw, you have probably done all this. We just have to put it all together and make a tool.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for an under lathe cabinet for Jet 1642 with ballast, sandpaper storage, etc. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for tool racks to hold woodturning chisels. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is my solution to turning bottle stoppers. It originally appeared as an article in More Woodturning a couple years ago...

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a lathe stand with cabinet. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a shop made hollowing system with a laser guide which I designed and built for my Jet mini lathe.

I wanted a lathe that was portable (which flywheel lathes traditionally are not) and used a minimum of modern fasteners. Simple lap joints and wooden bolts provide a somewhat less rigid frame, but it is lightweight and easily knocks down flat for storage or transportation.

It helps to have a chisel holder when you are working on a lathe. Most Woodturners like to change chisels frequently, and it is a real timesaver to have them handy.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a simple lathe tool rack that is intended to be mounted directly to the shop wall. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

An earlier article in More Woodturning on turning wine stoppers got me thinking about collet chucks. I wondered if I could make one entirely out of wood. I thought this would be just an exercise to see if I could do it, but it surprised me with its usefulness. Although the All Wood Collet Chuck does not have the holding power and range of wooden jaws mounted in a scroll chuck, it does have adequate power for turning tops, wine stoppers, and the odd bit of dowel.

A mini-lathe packs some pretty serious turning capability into a tiny package. But just because they are small does not mean that you can set your mini-lathe up on a wimpy, lightweight stand. Just like a full-size lathe, a mini-lathe needs a stand that is heavy and rigid enough to absorb vibrations. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

I find it very inconvenient to try to carve from a canvas chisel roll, because I can not see the shapes of the tools. Also, the rolls take up an immense amount of real estate when spread out on the workbench, and the sharp gouges quickly cut them to shreds. I finally did something about it. I built this portable, modular carving tool till.

This two point steady rest prevents long, thin work-pieces from flexing as you turn them on the lathe.

Donut chucks and cole jaws have both been around for a long time. I decided to combine them to make a new version of a donut chuck that centers the turning.

A few years ago I came across an article from WoodTurning.com on something called the Longworth chuck and resolved to make one because the idea of a self-contained scrolling set of Cole jaws was just too appealing to resist. I finally got around to it, a...

The following document describes my version of a spring pole lathe that I use to turn chair parts, stool legs, dowel pins, tool handles and other items.

This is one method for making an Index wheel. There are many other ways. This one is for a Jet mini lathe. It goes between the handwheel and the headstock. I use plastic sheeting that I get from the scrap bin of my local sign shop.

Dissatisfied with your current tool rest? Wish you had a longer or shorter one? Help is on the way. With a limited bit of foresight, ingenuity, and money you can make all the tool rests that you will ever need. Part of the process includes welding, a skill often but not necessarily possessed by turners, but that is no problem just take the pieces to a welding or muffler shop and they will help you out very inexpensively.

I study medieval woodworking a lot, and I have always wanted to try out the medieval style lathe. The major difference between this type, and the mo...

This wall-mounted carousel, built by reader James Bowler, makes it easy to keep lathe tools handy and organized.

by Al Crandall - Turners frequently have a need for shop made jigs or fixtures designed to thread onto the spindle of their lathe. While 1 inches-8 and 1-1/8 inches-8 are probably the most common diameter/pitch combinations, they are not sizes stocked at the local big box. It is often easier and certainly quicker...

by Ken Grunke - Inspired by Don Derrys adaption of Marco Beraras design, which Don posted in the WoW File Cabinet on Jan. 28, 2007. After seeing that rig, my version was hastily cobbled together using spare parts from my scrap bins. Easily put together using salvaged/found parts, or purchased off the shelf.

Making Handles and Chair Rung Tenons. Text by John Alexander and photos by Peter Follansbee. Viires, Woodworking in Estonia, illustrates a simple pole lathe erected on the end vise of a cabinetmakers bench. It has one substantial limitation. Because the...

Keep your workshop organized by building this quick and easy lathe tool holder.

By Joe in a Cleveland Suburb - A couple of weeks ago I asked about making your own sharpening jig. You all pointed me to several resources. I put all that together and came up with this version. All I did was take scrap pieces of walnut, a couple cherry plywood shorts, and some scrap poplar, glued and screwed it all together and here it is! (Not dimensions, and little instruction, but there are good pictures. Enough info to help you make your own.)