Pocket Lathe

Sometimes building small items requires small tools. This pocket lathe is 8 inches wide, 3 inches deep and 4.5 inches tall. Yes it does fit completely in my jacket pocket and cargo pants pocket.

Please note that there are some ideas for improvement posted at the end of this Instructable.

This started as a desire to make a miniature chess set

Step 1 Order parts

I disassembled an inkjet printer to get the motor that drives the print head. This motor has enough power for turning pine and other light woods. It is too weak for working with aluminum or copper.

The bearings and support blocks are from vxb.com
The gears are from sdp-si.com

I used some scrap pieces of ¼ inch hard board to make a base stand.

You will need 2 of the ¾ inch shaft supports part number WH12A
You will need 2 skateboard wheel bearings 608ZZ type

You will need drive gears or belt system. This is completely dependent upon your motor selection.

I used nylon bevel gears for a reduction in the motor speed 1:2 (24/48).

Comments

[abstracted]

it could work on light metals if u use a dremel as your cutting tools. i have used weak drills as metal lathes and a dremel...nice job btw

[a918bmxr]

just a suggestion...

try adding a detachable tool rest to make turning things a whole lot easier.

[profpat]

i like it! very tiny and good for hobbyist!

[g_badhri]

Simply super Work. thanks for sharing this your valuable idea. Thanks ;_)

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks. I'm glad that you like it and found it useful

[kristian2858]

i give you 6+++ for your work nice

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks

[MatthewEnderle]

Did you put a weight in the housing? It looks like it bounces around a tad bit. Even cheaper would be to cut the top of a mouse pad off and glue the bottom to the device, and then it would be quieter too because of less vibration resonating. Or better yet do both! I like it though. I might make a mini lathe too but i'll use an old drill motor from a 120vac 60hz motor!

[Random_Canadian]

The housing is hollow for storage. The outer cover is fastened to the base and is meant to rest your hands on for stabilizing the lathe.

All in all this is an extremely light duty rig

Again check out my other lathe instructable.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Metal-Lathe-1/

There is a video in the last step showing the vibration damping of rubber.

[dimdiode]

This is way cool, I really like it.

If it were me though, I think I'd take the lazy way out and buy a large diameter, self-centering chuck, like for an electric drill. I realise it may weigh too much for your rig, and it may limit the diameter of the material to be turned, but the benefit of self-centering may be enough of an incentive. I don't know, maybe it wouldn't work.

I guess I need to find out by making one of these myself ;)

Nice project, well done.

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks

There was a pretty lenghtly discussion about the pros and cons of self centering VS not. Note a 3 Jaw chuck will not hold off round or square pieces.

The size and weight is definitely an issue on this tiny lathe.

My mini metal lathe instructable may show the power that you are looking for. but again the self centering chuck may greatly limit your materials choice.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Metal-Lathe-1/

Good luck with your build.

[Itscrafty]

Wow, the professionalism looks amazing on this, this looks like something i would go to menards to buy, great job on the looks alone. I cant believe how small this is and it has a nice amount of power, great job i give you 5/5.

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks

[electrowizard]

Hahahaha,what an amazing little project!! I did notice one thing tho in your video, your lath seems to wiggle,as if it were unbalanced, I was wondering if this was just the video, but, what an awesome thing.

[Random_Canadian]

There is a little bit of off center in the chuck in the video. I have since made some improvements in the centering of the base chuck nut but it is still not perfect... I may have to change to a fine pitch thread to get rid of it.

[rsmith6322]

Very nice work. I own a large lathe that I use for wood turning and something smaller for pens and such would be nice to have. You've given me some food for thought. We'll see what happens.

[pheenix42]

Oddly enough, your headstock and tailstock pieces look just like a sensor bracket that my paper folder at work uses!

[Matrix-technician]

Wonderful project! My father has been a machinist for over 23 years and taught me the trade of metalworking. I can see this coming in handy on multipule occasions. I have been building balsa aircraft for a number of years and had to use either full size or benchtop lathes to mill some pieces, this would make it much easier to manufacture parts. Keep up the good work!

[Matrix-technician]

Hi again! I would like to make a correction on my last comment. I phoned my father th eother day and it turns out he has been a machinist for over 33 years. (oops!) I try not to post misleading or incorrect info, but it happens sometimes to all of us.

[Random_Canadian]

No worries... I often skip a decade myself. And technically your first statement was correct.

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks. I know what you mean with the machining of small parts.

I had a blast making this lathe and was laughing like a maniac the first time i turned it on and used it.

[CementTruck]

Impressive! I really like this build. Your 4 jaw chuck is inspired.

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks. I had one of those AH-HA moments and this of the resulting offspring...