Converting Dremel Motor Tool to a Lathe.

Jun AustriaGBCPAQ · Post by **Jun AustriaGBCPAQ** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:30 pm

Any idea how to do this? While I was searching the net. I found this...

http://www.vanda-layindustries.com/html ... _plus.html

... just to share the info.

Joseph Osborn · Post by **Joseph Osborn** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:52 pm

Hey, I have that! I use a single-speed Dremel with a router speed control to power the thing. It works pretty good as a lathe, but it's a pain in the butt to mount the workpiece to the headstock. As a vertical mill, this contraption works okay, too. The clamping options leave a lot to be desired (the maker recommends double-sided tape

) and the axes have some slop in the micro-movement. All in all, I've made a whole bunch of parts with this thing that I couldn't have made by hand and I saved a lot of money versus a dedicated mini-mill and mini-lathe. It looks like the price has gone up about 25% since I bought mine.

Look up "fonly lathe" on Google and you'll find a home-built alternative.

Jun AustriaGBCPAQ · Post by **Jun AustriaGBCPAQ** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:54 pm

Thanks Joseph for the clue. I found the link. Now all i have to do is redraw it in AutoCAD and ask my contructor to build it. Thanks.

Andrew Gorman · Post by **Andrew Gorman** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:12 pm

For the price, I'd just get a Clisby lathe:
http://www.clisbyminiaturemachines.com/LatheMetal.html
I've always heard good things about them.
BUT as a Unimat owner, you'll find it's too small for a lot of things you want to do. For not much more money-and a lot less than a Unimat you can get one of the 7 X10" lathes from Harbor Freight/Jet/Grizzly/BusyBee and have a much more capable machine.

Jun AustriaGBCPAQ · Post by **Jun AustriaGBCPAQ** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:26 am

Andrew Gorman wrote:For the price, I'd just get a Clisby lathe:
http://www.clisbyminiaturemachines.com/LatheMetal.html
I've always heard good things about them.

This one looks tempting. It has a small foot print, just right for my small workbench. I assume the "12 Volt DC" can be plug on the 220v outlet.
I might give it a shot. thanks.

Joseph Osborn · Post by **Joseph Osborn** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:41 am

Jun AustriaGBCPAQ wrote:I assume the "12 Volt DC" can be plug on the 220v outlet.

No, not at all. It means you have to use a transformer to convert your 220V AC to 12V DC or run the machine directly off a car battery.

It's sad to learn that Clisby is shutting down. I always thought their machines were neat. Maybe someone else will pick up the line and continue to produce the machines and accessories.