Hi All,
I have never turned anything in my life and am a self taught woodworker (wood butcher?). I’m very much interested in turning.
A friend of mine gave me, what appears to be a midi-lathe; sans motor, that also seems to be quite old. It has a partial label on it that, I think, says Dunbar??? Probably not very expensive, but I would like to give it a try, as long as it doesn’t get too expensive.
I will provide pics soon, but am wondering what would be a good sized motor for it? Also, I would think that several sized diameter pulleys would be in order, to be able to vary the speed. Any help would be appreciated.
I know this is quite vague, but please be patient. I will learn!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git ‘r Done!
Replies
Motors ? 3/4 to 1/2 horses , vaguely speaking ofcourse.
Let's see the item , and tell us if you are bent towards the butch er turning of bowls or between centres or both.
What lathe chisels do you have?
Hi Philip,
I haven't even reached the butcher turner level, yet. I have 0 (zero) experience; just watched a couple videos and saw several demonstrations at woodworking shows. Also, have no chisels, yet.....
I do have the desire to try my hand at turning, and will as soon as I can get the thing running. I will take some pics tonight and post them. It appears to be in somewhat neglected shape, but I do like a challenge.
Regards
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Edited 12/5/2006 10:48 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Hey everybody,
I just did some googling and found a site http://www.owwm.com/. Awesome site for old woodworking tools.
There are several pics of lathes that look a lot like the one I have. It appears that I have a Dunlap (made for Sears). In the descriptions it states 9" x 30". Would I be correct in assuming that means 9" from center of headstock to top of bed, and 30" is the usable length of the bed?
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
I have one these old Sears lathes, however, mine's a earlier incarnation that was built by Atlas Press. However, they are very similar. You really don't need more than 1/3 - 1/2 HP to turn that lathe. Depending on the model, you may have a ball bearing powerhead or it's going to sintered bronze sleaves. If it's the sleaves, make sure you keep the oil resevoirs full, otherwise they'll overheat and seize up real quick.have fun,Jim
"There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other is that heat comes from the furnace." - Aldo Leopold
Edited 12/5/2006 12:33 pm ET by JimV
Hi Jim,
Yes it does have a fitting for lubrication. Should I use a heavy weight oil? Do you know of a source of accessories that will fir this lathe?
Thanks for your help,
P.S. Been working a lot of projects lately so this response isn't exactly timely but with no less enthusiasm.
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Sorry for the late reply (been on vacation).Personally, I probably going to get flamed for this, but I use chain oil from the same gallon jug I use for my chainsaw. It's heavy-weight, thick and sticky, so it doesn't end up flying all over the piece I'm turning. However, YMMV.Jim
"There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other is that heat comes from the furnace." - Aldo Leopold
Thanks Jim, no problem with the delay.
I hope you don't mind my bugging you but do you have any thoughts with regard to restoring it? I'm getting a 1/2 horsepower motor for it for starters. Any thoughts about accessories. If you look at the pic on post #9 above,it has a "spur" on the headstock and a "pin" on the tailstock. I assume that I should be able to start with turning spindles?
From what I've read so far, spindles is a god place to start and I have already come up with a project. The wife wants me to build a porch on the house and I'd like to turn the ballisters. A friend of mine has a huge supply of turning chisels and he's going to "set me up" with a variety of different ones, including a roughing gouge, spindle gouge, skew and parting tool. These are very old so probably will be carbon steel.
As you can tell from my termnology, I'm VERY green at turning but I assure you my enthisiasm more than makes up for it.
Again, thanks for your help,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
You'll never need anything larger than that 1/2 hp motor on this lathe. I run mine with a 1/3 HP. I wouldn't even concern myself with a cosmetic restore until you know you like turning. Then only do it if you'd rather restore than turn. :)Mechanically, I would disassemble both the headstock and the tailstock, give everything a good degreasing, then re-assemble with a light coat of lithium grease on the metal to metal contact areas. Not to difficult or time consuming.I sure there are others here that have far more experience than I have at machinery restoration, so don't be afraid to post questions.Jim
"There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other is that heat comes from the furnace." - Aldo Leopold
You are right that 9" x 30" means 30 inches turning length. The 9", sometimes refered to as a 'nine inch swing' means 9" is the maximum diameter you can turn. That would make it 4.5" from center to bed.
BYW, I thought that Dunlap was a Monkey Wards line of tools.
BJGardening, cooking and woodworking in South'n Murlyn'
Bob, I hope this will help.Granite State Woodturners
Area Served: All New Hampshire, and some members from neighboring states
Meeting City: Various
Meeting State: NH
Meeting Place: Various
Meeting Date: Fourth Saturday of the odd numbered months
Number of Members: 120
Contact:
Jon Siegel
258 Breezy Hill Road
Wilmot, NH 03287-4111
603-768-5882
[email protected]
Ron,
Thanks and have filed it with my other resources. When I get a chance I will definitely contact them. Was hoping there was a group within a reasonable distance from me. I'm about 10 miles from Canada, QC.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
You mean near Pittsburgh NH? I use to fish Lake Frances and the Pittsburgh lakes. Gods country, so he doesn't mind the cold.I bet you can find some nice figured birch up there.Ron
Hi Ron,
Got a friend on that one. Looking for flame, tiger and birds eye.
Also looking for same in maple and have a sawyer ready to go.
Tis the season fore nice dry wood, and am on it!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
I don't profess to be an authority by any means, am just an ametuer.
I googled "dunlap lathe" and it pointed me to a WEB site - Old Wood Working Machines" http://www.owwm.com that has pics of what appears to be several lathes that are very similar to the lathe that I have.
Check out the site, good info there, I think.Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Ooops, I also meant to thank you for confirming the 9" x 30" dimensions. It seemed to make sense to me, but then again, I'm a neophyte at turning but want to learn more.
Thanks again,
Bob
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Dunlap, not Dunbar
http://www.owwm.com/MfgIndex/detail.asp?ID=269
Thanks Rick, I found that out too. See my previous post. The OWWM page is really interesting for older machines, eh?
BobBob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
In the Photo Index, there are several pics of the same lathe as well.Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Here's a pic I took of the lathe as it came into my woodshop. Any suggestions as to how I should restore it; what accessories I should acquire?
May not be worth the time investment but I'm thinking I should start out small and build from there, and the price was right - 0$.
Best regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
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