TAIG Lathe Variable Speed Drive And Electronic feed screw

I copied the lead screw design from John R. Bentley, is the better one I have seen from all the others including the original manufacturers one, but instead of running it from the pulley as he did, I incorporated a geared 12 volt dc motor, and a gear box for extra torque, and a variable speed controller, separate from the main drive motor, the forward feed seems a bit jerky but the cuts are nice and smooth with no sign of grooving on the work piece, a bit of an overkill with the switches I know, but that's me, thanks for looking.
I have added the link to John's web page, the is some amazing work that he has done, not just on the lathe, you have to check this out, it will blow you away, cheers.
modelengines.info/lathes/taig....

[@TheDano52]

Thanks for your comments, I guess I had a lot of time on my hands at the time, lol, you do great work on yours, thanks, Dano

[@TheDano52]

Thanks for the nice comment, unfortunately no there isn't a treading option on it. and I'm not smart enough to work one out for it, lol.

[@ElationProductions]

Simply beautiful setup you got on your Taig! I've got a variable speed feed on mine too, but it's no where near as nicely built as yours.

[@ronald44181000]

I've been trying to upgrade mine as well using the design idea's from Tony Jeffree's Taig Book and also from J.R.Bentley's designs. I really like how you've set your pieces up together and your design gives me a reference point to which I can now achieve.

[@TheDano52]

Thanks Ronald, I'm glad it helps ,

[@TheDano52]

Hi sorry for the delay in replying to you, I hadn't checked this for a while, I bought the motor and speed controller from this guy, (motiondynamics com au), just add the dots, I can't put the link here but you get the idea, the power supply was from ebay, thanks for looking.

[@rudimentalist]

Ah, I get it. It's the "Let's Make Everyone Envious" video. lol ;) Anyway, I enjoyed seeing your setup. Also, I like all the switches. It's the perfect way to do it.

[@TheDano52]

"Ah, I get it. It's the "Let's Make Everyone Envious" video" Noooooo!! haha!, to be honest the wiring of the switches was kind of a nightmare, and recently I noticed the power feed is disengaging as it gets close to the chuck, so there, it is not perfect, so nothing to be envious about, lol.

[@Ecpanzer83]

Great work, I'm new to the taig world but love it. I really love your tool post. It's perfect size, it's well made. Any way you could do a review of it?

[@TheDano52]

Thanks for the interest and comments, I have posted another video with photos of the tool post, that is all the plans I have hope it helps, cheers.

[@dannyperry8070]

Very nice work and great video. In my humble opinion I think it is easier to get a Chinese lathe with more features.

[@TheDano52]

Thanks for the comments, you're right, but at the time I bought the Taig around 1990 you could not get the cheap Chinese ones.

[@Rafaeljotiar]

please what kind of bearing you have used ? the size and the manufacturer?

[@sorstudios]

Looks like the nicest mini lathe I've seen. Is there a threading option?

[@motiondynamics2010]

That's some beautiful work there! Adjust the frequency on the controller, I can hear its not setup correctly!

[@JohnScottDirtbikes]

very nice work.

[@TheDano52]

Thanks John.

[@themanwyatt]

Hey i am very interested in the micro lathe 2, can you show me a link to be able to buy this?! -THanks

[@hermit3400]

That is a beautiful rig!! Does it incorporate the auto feed gearbox made by TAIG? Where did you get the component which switches the direction of the feed screw? If you made it yourself is there anywhere on the internet where the plans are posted? Did you do the modification to the carriage at well?

[@TheDano52]

Hi Jerry and thanks, no it is not the Taig gear box, I made that my self, but if I had to do it again I would probably would use the Taig's, the switching for the screw is just a dpdt ( double pole double throw) switch that reverses the direction of the motor that drives the gear box, no plans sorry, I can make a drawing for you if you like, yes I did the modification to the carriage as well, look up John R. Bentley, he has a very well explained web page on how he did it, I just copied it. I have added John's web page link above, if you think my is nice wait till you see his. ;-)

[@hermit3400]

TheDano52 Wow, you made your own gearbox?! That is awesome. You clearly have some mad machining skills. Did you even make your own gears?! Thanks for the explanation on the DPDT. From the video it looks like it wraps right around the lead screw so I had thought you were reversing the direction with gears as opposed to switching the motor direction.

[@TheDano52]

***** Just gears I had in the junk box( I always keep gears, bearings, bushings, they come in handy some times) , I made the case out of 1/4 inch aluminium plate I had, thanks Jerry,

[@charlesmcboy445]

taig lathes are just junk ...Always a project in progress .Instead of making a real project.And once all is put together they are not cheap .Better to get a Chinese lathe.The quality now is equivalent or better .And you can always improve it ,if that is your thing ! But what i hate the most on the Taig lathe is the awful 3 jaws Chuck. Just garbage

[@TheDano52]

Hi Charles thanks for your comment, Do you have a Chinese lathe? if so good for you, if you want cheap, you will get what you pay for, I can sell my Taig today after 23 years, and still get the money I spent on it back, lets see what you get back after 23 years. I stop buying Chinese crap because of that!! Crap. you will never get the precision of a Taig lathe with a Chinese one, not out of the box, good luck.

[@windchimeman4286]

Well this is not true who in his right mind will give you what you paid for? .On the other side Chinese lathes are getting more and more expensive .. I bought one for $325 .Now the same lathe is $525 .So if dumb Trump makes a mess with the Chinese we will be buying them for $1000 or more .And we really will be stuck with those Taigs.