Thread: Ideas On Improvised Lathe???

Hello,
I'm wondering if anybody has ideas on improvised lathes? Or where is the best place to get one? Best quality for best price concerning brand names?

I know very little about these.
Can I get a plug in drill or motor of some kind, mount in on table, have another opposing secure contact point, with the connection hardware, and have myself a rudimentary lathe? Waste of time?

Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks guys!

I have watched a you tube video of someone using a drill press as a vertical lathe. He made a brush handle that turned out pretty good. Harbor freight has a cheap lathe. I wanted one to turn brush handles but have not gotten to it yet. I don't see why your idea won't work, give it a shot. What do you want to make on it? Good luck.

The drill press is a good idea, I remember that one.
When I considered that idea before, the main thing I was worried about was burning up the belt or motor.
Also, I don't know if it needs a second attachment point like you see on the traditional lathes.. to account for wobble?

I want to use it for brushes, but I'm sure there are other uses that will come.

There are several diy's on drillpowered lathes. Here is an example.

Check you tube i'm sure the video is still there. He did not have a secondary attachment point. Iirc he used a threaded rod to attach it. Looked stable enough.
Check out the Harbor Freight lathe it had decent customer reviews. I am sure its entry level at best @ $199 I think. It would cost that to fabricate something. keep us posted, interested to see what you come up with.

That is cool. A lot of work but cool. thanks.

If you do some checking a lot of times you can get a 25% off coupon for Harbor Freight items which would bring their 10" x 18" lathe (Central machinery Model #65345) down quite a bit in price. Its the lathe I have, its heavy duty, there have been a few flaws that I've had to over come but an all around decent lathe especially for the price.

I also have their bigger 14" x 40" lathe (Central Machinery Model #67690) that is lower in price but it not as heavy duty. I did turn a full sized ball bat on it.

Ive thought about this myself.

My drill press doesnt hVe the proper chuck attachment to change it to lathe type chucks.
Then the H.F. lathe would work, but then you need to buy the tools as the ones that come with it are junk. At least that what i read. Plus if you want to do bowls or pens then your buying other chucks too. Mo Money.

And in the end, you will need to want to do this for yourself. Hobby. If you plan to try to make enough money selling stuff you make to pay off the lathe, your going to have to make a lot of items and hope to make a slight profit. As people sell turned items a lot for low cost.

I wanted to try and set myself up to make a few pens and a couple brush handles. In the end, i came to the conclusion that just buying completed items would be cheaper. Maybe some day i might pick up a lathe and tools and extra chucks, but it will be only for my pleasure.

Drill press mod.
45 bucks
https://www.amazon.com/D4088-Lathe-A.../dp/B005W16YJS
Make your own from the pics.

Okay thank you all for the info, I have a much better handle on it now.

I had intended to use one of my old plug in drills clamped down .. anyway in my mind I figured to get that wood spinning and wham! No problem.. lol
Don't worry I realize it's not that simple.

The do it yourself wooden contraption looks like a lot of work to get there. Perhaps I should just save and buy a used one..?
HF may be an option as my purpose is limited.

Just a hobby, I don't plan on selling, except random pieces to friends. Though I'll be selling off some things to get funds up for tools.
I've got some really cool designs that have been screaming at me for a while now!