Creative Woodworks & crafts 1997-08, страница 77
_ Contributing Editor Joseph M. Herrmann reviews THE CARBATEC LATHE DUPLICATORThe trials of turning Duplicate turning is one of the more difficult skills to master on the lathe. Without too much effort, even a beginning turner can do a respectable job of making a single spindle; but to make two or more spindles that are identical—or at least reasonably close—takes a level of skill thai is often beyond (he range of many turners. This can be frustrating, but I have discovered what might just be the perfect answer to this dilemma: the CarbaTec Lathe Duplicator from Pcnn State industries. The concept of a lathe duplicator is very similar to that of pattern routing. A cutter attached to a stylus follows a preformed template to produce identical spindles. Basically, it is a tracing procedure, and once the pattern is locked correctly into the duplicator, it takes very little skill to use. Pcnn State Industries manufactures and distributes this duplicating attachment for mini-lathes that makes it possible for even the beginner to turn multiples of small gift-type items. Preformed templates are available, or you can make your own from either a strip of brass, available at any hobby-shop, or from an original three- _ dimensional turning up to ten jf^ inches in length. | Luckily, this was not the case with the lathe duplicator. The instruction booklet, was well written and the accompanying video made things especially clear and easy to understand. The video goes over setup, making a pattern from a full size turning, and the steps involved in making a jig that allows for thru-boring. Initial setup took only about 20 minutes, and setting up the duplicator to cut a given template was also easy. How the wood turns I used the lathe duplicator to turn a variety of small gift items such as perfume pens and atomizers, key rings, and cutlery sets. I also made my own template which enabled me to turn 7mm pens and pencils. By design, the lathe duplicator employs a scraping cut rather than a shear cut. Scraping usually produces a surface which requires more sanding. But since lathe speed and wood density will also affect the quality of the cut, a faster speed and harder stock will produce a smoother surface finish. Consequently, denser tropical hardwoods, rather than ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ softer domestic woods, |,est on tj,,e lathe [ duplicator. Final impressions Overall, I was very impressed with the CarbaTec Lathe Duplicator. It was well made, the instructions were clear, and it did not take a great deal of time to gel it all set up and running. Using the lathe duplicator did however take some getting used to, as the cutting action is different from what you might expect from traditional lathe work. Once I practiced a bit and got used to the cutting action though the patterns were actually quite easy to follow. One drawback I found is that the cutter is ground at an angle so that straight iti-cuts were impossible to accomplish—this necessitated the use of a small parting lool whenever it was necessary to make a shoulder cut. I suggest that the beginner use the simplest paltem available and master that one before moving on to a more complex shape. A variety of templates are available at a price of about S 12.00 for a set of 4 to 5 patterns. So if you're a beginner, or a turner who is getting frustrated by attempts to master duplicating skills, I would definitely consider the CarbaTec Lalhe Duplicator as a useful addition to your shop. A cut above the rest 1 i^ Attached to the 1/2" x 12" I HK^ x 23" melamine-faced fiber I board that is die base of the ||ff"'M]MBEr ^^ lathe duplicator are two alu- ^ssT^^fiBI minum uprights. Suspended between these is a piece of ^ l/2"-Dia. steel, over which a j ggf lube that supports the stylus 1 - and cutter assemblies is 8 attached. The template is I locked into another, longer I upright by four set screws, 1 and the adjustable stylus rubs 9, along the template. The high- , ...........................ii mw" ......... ■ speed steel cutter is supported by a nylon/plastic tool rest during the cut. The lathe duplicator comes fully assembled, and is designed to fit either the original CarbaTec or the newer CarbaTec TI, but can be modified to fit other mini-lathes as well. The lathe duplicator comes with all necessary mounting hardware and a pre-ground, high-speed steel cutter. A carbide cutter is available as an option, and a video that explains setup and basic turning techniques is included with the package. 1 was impressed with the quality of the unit. The parts are all constructed from aluminum, polished steel, or a nylon/plastic material. It was well finished, and there was no perceptible play in the moving parts. The 1 "-depth of cut is more than adequate for the smaller turnings that the unit was designed for. Setup T always find long and difficult setups to be very annoying. The CarbaTec Lathe Duplicator sells for §1/9.95, and is available from Penn State Industries. 2850 Comly Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154; (800)377-7297. fj |
