cnc wood lathe??

[dlh422]

Well, I've searched the forums and have found little or no information on converting a wood lathe to CNC.. Mostly, if not all refer to metal machines, mostly mills and/or routers. I've been turning duck calls manually off and on for almost 20 yrs and have my process down pretty good. I really want to upgrade to cnc but the only one I've found by searching the internet is $4K. Surely there is a more economical complete machine, kit or plans to upgrade out there. Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
D

[JFettig]

I havent seen much for specifically cnc wood lathes, have you considered using a cnc metal lathe for turning wood? I personally dont see a problem with it but I dont know a whole lot about turning wood, I have only done a about 4 or 5 table legs(must have been a screwup in one).

Jon

[Chris D]

D,

Before you even attempt to go down that road, you may want to cut a Duck call with the tool bits that can be used on a CNC lathe. I have only seen a couple of them (CNC Wood lathes), and the only tool bits I have seen used on them are scrapers. Usually 1/4" x 1/4" HSS and ground to a point which would look like a threading tool used on a manual lathe. Roughly speaking, it is a 60 point on the tool bit.

As such, you can imagine what the part will look like after turning. So, unless that is how you have been turning them, you may want to give it a try with that shape tool bit.

It has been a long time since I have messed with a CNC wood lathe, but unless magic has occured, they still use the same type of tool bits. You don't use anything like a gouge or skew chisel.

Chris

[ger21]

Just mount a laminate trimmer that moves in 2 axis - along the spindle and perpendicular to it. Like this: http://www.alignritetool.com/cnc_router_poolcue.htm

[ViperTX]

Great link ger21....that could also get people into ornamental turning, which is something I've been wanting to do.

[acondit]

D,

I have frequently turned wood in my metal lathe. I ground a 1/2" M2 blank to approximate the profile of a gouge. I don't know why you couldn't use something like a 7x12 minilathe converted to CNC and grind your own tool bits to do what you need.

Look at Jon Fettig's or Ron Steel's conversion kits. Buying a minilathe, conversion kits and assembling them yourself should come in well below $2K.

Alan

[ViperTX]

Well...it kinda depends on how long a piece you wish to turn...

[dlh422]

I was told by a cnc kit maker that the metal lathe works fine on wood.. Oh, Hello JFetting, haha... It's a small world, I believe we corresponded y'day... I'm the guy that emailed you thru your website about turning wood with metal lathe.. thanks for the reply.. I'm checking all resources and looking for various opinions or suggestions. Especially anyone with a similar process. Pen makers are the only ones that I can think of and maybe I can check out one of their sites. I'm sure they have one...

I'm must confess Chris I'm ignorant about metal cutting tools, cnc terminology and cnc capabilities in general , I'm learning though.. As you mention The cutting tool would be critical part and just from looking at the angle on the 60 pt it doesn't look like it would be able to make a 90 degree parting tool type cut. That kind of information is helpful and I must do more research to find out about that.. curves, tapers, as well as the 90 degree cuts I mentioned would be needed capabilities..

Although it was taken with a low meg camera and if I've done it correctly I've attached an example of one the duck calls I make. Maybe one of you can tell me if it's cnc-able. I appreciate both of your replies. All suggestions are appreciated. thanks,
D

[dlh422]

well while writing and sending my last post I've noticed more replies...thanks, I haven't read thru all yet.

[dlh422]

Just mount a laminate trimmer that moves in 2 axis - along the spindle and perpendicular to it. Like this: http://www.alignritetool.com/cnc_router_poolcue.htm

interesting setup ger21.. Unless there's a size constraint for a mini lathe it looks workable as far as the designed cuts go, . As you can see from the pic we're talking about small pieces especially relative to a pool cue.. but a possible option..
D

[dlh422]

I found this in one of my searches but didn't get a response from the company. I can't really tell but can anyone identify that as a router attached?
D

[ger21]

Forgot about that one. It's the same laminate trimmer as the one in the link I posted. The Liberty lathe is basically the same thing, just a smaller package.