The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

Yeah, made some decent progress, just been too busy to post. Sorry!

Pitch system is working, although I'm craving something larger... experimenting with drive wheels at the moment, but the new motor is a beast and working well.

Will get something up over the weekend!

View from the front is not too obtrusive... here's a pic of a mock up using all existing mounting points. Looks like I may get away with the full install without a drill, or single modification to the overhead. Obviously need to mount the motor, and I'll also be adding a geared worm drive for more a...

Tried out some miniature linear actuators, they were all either too noisy, or far too large.

Think I may have a proof of concept that will work though... utilising a pulley system and a whole bunch of robot geared components. Parts for days...

Not sure of the exact model, but the microscope is a "Dino-Lite". It was a little difficult finding one that wasn't USB, but they are out there. I didn't want to have to run a computer for it to operate, so bought one with a component output... strapped to a computer LCD and you're away. Resolution ...

Thanks studiorp ... something to think about.

My brain is running overtime ordering components to automate my pitch at the moment. Currently cheaper than an eBay leadscrew or overhead mech... if it works, ha.

Thanks guys :) I've been going round in circles on what to do with my drive motor... I'm close to pulling the trigger on a brushless AC motor... only going AC as the speed control specs of this particular motor are much better than their DC counterparts, max fluctuation (under varying load) is +/- 0...

After some lubrication and replacement washers, back together with a huge colour change...

65 Years of Dirt... Disassembled the entire overhead, washed each component by hand in a few different stages of soapy water... Absolutely in love with the mechanics & design of these old lathes, haven't been this inspired since my studio build

Sorry for the spam! Last one for now, shot with my new little component video microscope too...
Next up, while I'm stuck on the couch... overhead clean and re-build...

Next step was to get my playback path locked down... quickly received some nice components from Esoteric Sound, a couple various HiFi stores, and the super nice guys at CineMag who wound some balancing transformers for me for my phono stage. I went with CineMag after seeing them in the new release F...

I'm 3 weeks into this now, and although I have been slowed by surgery thanks to my appendix nearly bursting last week, and the subsequent haze of prescription medication, I'm close to mended and almost ready to continue... here is my progress anyway; My first observation and concern was the resonanc...

If anyone is interested, thought I would post my progress of a Rek-O-Kut TR43H based fraken-lathe... Inspired by it's logical simplicity I feel quite bad modifying with modern components, I'd love to restore it to all it's original Mono Glory, perhaps a project on something a little more worthy in f...

Not mine, looks to be in pretty good condition...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PRISTINE-VINTAGE-REK-O-KUT-IMPERIAL-RECORD-CUTTER-WORKS-/171031716443?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item27d248e25b

I'm sure it is...!

Maybe a good test for my girlfriend too... she is pretty used to large equipment purchases, this could take the cake though

Is the winning bidder here?

Woke myself up at 3am to bid and missed out... if you're interested in selling just 2 (long shank) styli, please PM me... willing to offer a fair price

Hey Guys... Been lurking here for quite a few years now, thanks for all the info and inspiration... I really do appreciate it! Made the leap on a TR43H... I definitely feel bad not restoring it to all it's mono glory, but I've started on the frankenlathe path. New motor ordered (I'll be testing dire...