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Duplicator for a HF 33-1/2

K

Ken Ferrell

Joined
Mar 29, 2009
Messages
25
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0
Location
Leapwood TN.
Does any one know of a reasonably priced duplicator for a harbor Freight 12x33-1/2 lathe the lathe is nearly identical to the Jet 12x36
 
www.vegawoodworking.com They have a full size model and mini model. I've been using the D-36 and it's great.
www.rockler.com has a much less expensive model but I don't know anything about the quality.
I just read an introduction to the new General lathe duplicator. I don't know where to get one or how much.
Shopsmith sells one but I don't know if it's adaptable to a regular lathe. You could probably look on their website.
I've seen used Craftsman duplicators on Ebay. I've use one of those. They don't do the quality that the Vega does.
 
John, Thank you, I wish I could afford the Vega, but the Rockler is more within my price range, I just need it for doing quite a few tool handles, so I think I can probably do Rockler, and they show it mounted on a white version of my green lathe. I saw a used Craftsman duplicator on feebay but I'm a bit leery of buying any used equipment and besides it was for local pick up and in Michigan, and I live south of you so kind of a long drive.
As for the quality of any thing approaching Vega I can't see that happening with any thing I can afford.
Thanks
Ken
 
Ken If you just need to turn tool handles just turn them. I made 20 ornament hollowing tools for my class at the Craft Center about 2 or 3 years ago. I made all the handles and the cutters. It took pretty much all day saturday to make them but they go really fast after the first few.
 
john lucas said:
Ken If you just need to turn tool handles just turn them. I made 20 ornament hollowing tools for my class at the Craft Center about 2 or 3 years ago. I made all the handles and the cutters. It took pretty much all day saturday to make them but they go really fast after the first few.
Click to expand...

John, I'm looking in the order of several hundred to stat with, I've been doing them, but it's time to get uniform with them. I'd rather turn Pens or Bowls, but business takes first priority, I'd thought about farming the work out to an oriental country🙁 or there is a company in Louden TN that makes handles out of Hickory and I am going to send them one and see how much per hundred they want, which I'd rather go with. However I have a son in law that need to help support my daughter and since I'm only selling 20 or so tools a week I can give him something to do, and make a little money. between the patent office and suppliers I'd rather keep as much money in the family as I can, that way some day I can own a Vega😀
Ken
 
Ken I think there is a company here in Cookeville, Tennessee that makes handles also. I don't remember their name but I'll drive by on my way to town tomorrow and find out. They'll be closed but I can at least look up the name.
 
I made this apparatus for the same lathe: http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=6388

For a dedicated product, you won't need the adjustability, and simple wood blocks should suffice; see the link to DeLorie's version. Two or three attempts should get the shape right. And the attachment nuts don't have to be so complicated, either.

The learning curve isn't very steep. The first 5 or 10 will make it all habitual.
 
i like the vega duplicator's but the rockler seem duplicator offer's more length,with what im turning i have parts that are 11-15 inches long,vega only give's 10" as far as a i know,and rockler gives 39",,im actually looking into getting a duplicator and with the rockler duplicator being at a lower cost and being able to have more length to work with,that seem's the way to go
 
There is a learning curve with the duplicators ( no matter the brand) also. If your profile requires some fine detail lines that have to be done by hand, you have to remove the duplicator and reinstall your tool rest. If your lathe has reverse and you have room and with some duplicators you can work on the other side of the lathe. just something to think about.
 
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