WillyBWright
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2003
- Messages
- 8,200
A few years ago I bought an old metal lathe for $50 and a box of bits and pieces for another $5 at an auction. It's fairly complete and I got one helluva deal. It had a 1/3Hp washing machine motor driving it which I felt was awfully small. I put an old 1Hp on it. The unit stands about 4' high and 4' wide on legs that remind me of an antique foot-pedal powered sewing machine. The drive pulleys are of the flat leather belt style. It's in very good shape for an antique.<br /><br />Right now my options are very limited. I need a 3-jaw chuck for it. The problem seems to be the attaching part. I see 1 1/2" x 8tpi threaded chucks on ebay, but this one is closer to 1" x 8tpi. Is this an oddball size? Are there adapters available to be able to use the more common 1 1/2" size? Where might I find a good used chuck to fit without an adapter, say 6"? Also, where might I find a good machinist's reference book? It would be cool to find a really old one to sorta match the lathe, but new is certainly an option. Is that a bookstore item?
