Making a copy attachment/replicator for a metal lathe?

[Rich05]

Want to make a fixture that can hold a part on lathe so that I can replicate a part. Is this ever done? Advise appreciated.
R

[Goldhunter_2]

I bought a new one for my wood lathe but it does more of a length wise round copy of objects and I was originally trying to find one more like a old key copier machine a friend of mines dad had for coping decoys witch where more of a out of round 3D shape, you could probably do a search for lathe copiers and find a store bought one for a metal lathe if its in the budget or look at the pictures and specs on some of the copiers and build one for your self

good luck
Robert

[Mcgyver]

what type and size of lathe?

i dont know that common is the word, but there used to be tracer attachments that you could buy as accessories for some lathes. big heavy and expensive would characterise them but i doubt there are many offered anymore, supplanted by cnc

in general I would think a cnc conversion would be less involved than a tracer build

[Les A W Harris]

Originally Posted by Rich05 Want to make a fixture that can hold a part on lathe so that I can replicate a part. Is this ever done? Advise appreciated. R

VP just ran an article for a small Tracer.

Cheers,

[Geof]

Have a look at this, quite ingenious, setup.

http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazine/21/21.html