I like the spring idea. So much that I got one the other day and it works just fine. I'm still considering adding the chuck key interlock. Mostly because I'm thinking of a little larger system, using a 12V power supply and some relays.
My though was I could make a magneticly mounted switch that I could use to stop the lathe too, with a dial indicator and such. (Using a couple of "Magswitch" style magnets). It would give me both a dial for depth and a cutoff if it went much past the zero. For the investment of a hacked 12V wall wart and a couple of relays you could add a bunch of intterupt circuits for any use you could imagine.
It's not exactly like some lathes that let you set a point that disengages the auto feed, but it might still be handy for some operations.
Anyway, it would be so easy to do once that system is set up I'd feel kind of remiss if I didn't, LOL. |