WOOD LATHE
COPYING
ATTACHMENT
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Wood Lathe Copying Attachment
This copy attachment can be fitted to most lathes and is ideal for making multiple copies of spindle shapes
working from eithet an existing sample or a template pattern. i t makes it possible to replicate a wide range
of spindle shapes quickly and efficiently. It is a valuable accessory for any conventional woodworking lathe.
Specifications
Maximum Length of Wood Pieces
Maximum Travel of Cutter Head
Centre Height
Overall Size
Net Weight
Principle of Operation
The shape to be copied can be derived either from an existing example or from a profile cut into the edge
of a flat piece of materiai to form a template pattern. (To make a template pattern a 6 - 9mm thick piece of
panel product like plywood or medium density fiberboard (MDF) is ideal). Either of these options can be
fitted into the lathe copy attachment and a work piece which will become the new copy is fitted between the
headstock and tailstock of the lathe in the normal way for spindle turning. The main guide carriage is then
moved from one end of the work piece to the other by turning the hand wheel for lateral movement and as it
moves along the cutter tip removes material to progressivelyshape the new copy whiie the cut is guided by
a pin which runs along the existing sample or template pattern. The movement of the main guide carriage is
controlled by a rack and pinion mechanism through a gearbox.
The main guide cartiage holding the cutZer tip has a fine adjustment so that the tip can be adjusted forward
to make successive cuts removing more material from the new spindle until the shape is formed. There is
a hand steady handle so that there is some control and the cut can be guided with one hand while the other
hand operates the hand wheel for lateral movement.
The actual cutting action of this lathe copy attachment in common with other lathe copy systems is a scrap
ing action on the fine point of the cutter which is at right angles to the work. Consequsntly lathe copy attachments produce the shape but final finishing is usually required. This can be done either by running along the
profile lightly with other lathe tools or by sanding with other abrasives.
Assembly
The body of the lathe copy device is supplied already assembled but it must be attached to a
lathe.
Rest the two bedway fixing brackets (part 11) on the bedway (orfor some lathes across
the two pipes or square tubes) with the socket tube downwards. Slide the bedway
fixing bracket collar onto the bracket - also with the threaded hole to take the bedway
fixing bracket clamp bolt downwards. Pass the bedway fixing bracket damp bolt (past
76)through the bottom damp plate (part 17), engage the end of this bolt in the threaded
hole in the bedway fixing bracket collar (part .t 5). This bolt can then be tightened clamp
ing this whole structure to the lathe bedway. On some lathes if the bedway is not very
deep blocks (of wood) can be inserted on the clamp bolts to act as a packing so the
clamps can be tightened.
Bolt the adjustable height pillars (part 8) to the vertical end plate (part 7) on each end of
the lathe copy device body. Look for the hole in each vertical end plate, fit the flat rebate
at the top of the adjustable height pillar on the inside of the vertical end plate, pass the
centre (to hold the "original" item) (part 9) through this hole in the vertical end plate and
engage the thread in the adjustable height pillar. With the adjustable height pillars now
attached to the body of the lathe copy attachment drop the adjustable height pillars at
each end into the socket tube of the, two bedway fixing brackets already attached to the
lathe bedway. fn other words drop the whole assembly into the bedway fixing brackets.
3. Screw the two pointed centre pins into the centre (to hold the "original" item) (past 9).
4. Attach the hand wheel for lateral movement (part 4) to the shafl protrudingfrom the main
guide carriage (part 2) by tightening the gmb screw with the allen key supplied.
5. Attach the knob for the hand steady handle (part f 9) to the bolt in the pivot point of the
hand steady handle (part 1)
6. Insert the cutter in the hole on the main guide camage, adjust so that the longest projection of the cutter is at the top and lock it into position by tightening the grub screw with
the allen key.
7. Attach the template pattern clamps (part 18-3 pieces)to the rectangular slide bar (part
10). These clamps are bolted into position on the "inside" of the rectangular slide bar
(see diagram) using the three set screws with allen key heads.
Adjustments & Use
1. Adjust the height of the whole copy lathe assembly so that the rack (part 6) and the
rectangular slide bar (part 10) are level from one end to the other and the height of the
cutter is in the centre of the spindle work piece to be turned. This adjustment is made by
screwing the ferrule on the thread of the adjustable height pillar so that each end moves
up or down as required.
2. Screw the adjustment for the cutfer back before starting the job so that as successive
cuts are made the cutter can be adjusted fonvard the depth of cut required. This depth
of cut can be greater when starting the job as only a small amount ot material is being
removed but the depth of cut should be decreased as the cut removes more material. A
smaller cut will also improvethe quality of the finish.
e EXPLODED DIAGRAM
a PARTS LIST