Homebuilt Router Copier Lathe

[Reddsmorris1]

Young man I think you did a great job. If you put a point on the depht bolt it will leave a smother finish on the wood. Great Job

[diesle05]

Can you show how to build this

[bigchad007]

Beautiful work!!

[StudioDGooL]

hi i from russia say me please what you used liquid cover?

[vv97vv]

This is like google sketch up's "Follow me" tool.

[rogue10000]

Sorry if im just being ignorant but.. coundnt you have done that with regular lathe tools? without the need for a router..

[TeenWoodworker]

@rogue10000

You sure can mate! It ia better suited to multiple turnings like chair legs etc which it would be quicker to do this way. The bud vase was really for demonstration.

Alex

[ShortyzProductionz]

All you have to do is put a spring so it is constantly pushing against the template and them have a threaded rod that is connected to a motor the moves the router

[Prostheta]

Ack! Japanese saws should never be pushed...!! Instant snapped blade time whether they have a strengthening back or not!!!!

[TeenWoodworker]

@Prostheta

It is true they cut on the "pull" but the saw will cope with being pushed back through the cut like any other saw without breaking. Although I do see where you are coming from it, can do any good for the lifespan of the saw.

Alex

[watch4david]

Very nice machine.That threaded bolt end that rides against the pattern seems to me that it would work better if it was t rounded on the grinder to a smooth dull point and buffed smooth. Ingenious machine you made thanks for show it.

[art4med]

Was a bit concerned to see a loose rasp lying near the turning stock-- could be dangerous? :'p

Good on you for your inventing spirit!

[ChefFelishaWild]

Would running the router bit over the top of the piece rather than on it's end provide a smoother finish?

[bubblewrapboy99]

I noticed you were using a straight router bit and a bolt for your guide pin... what if you used a half inch round nose bit and then rounded the tip of your guide pin. It would probably cut a lot better, give you a better finish on your piece and would be easier to move on your guide block.

[deezynar]

Very nice job.

[ialamont22312]

@TeenWoodworker I usually get a cheap one for £20 off eBay ;)

[ialamont22312]

What brand/model of router is that?

[TeenWoodworker]

@ialamont22312

Direct Power I think?? Dirt cheap and pretty crap. Not bad for the router lathe though :)

[freedom2able]

HI . Might I sugest a lever opperation for the followiing of the pattern that would give you a much better finish. Also perhaps a small bearing on the stylus.

Regards .....Ray

[imod1993]

nice work, but what going on when it begins to rain? xD

[chas4551]

Good though all the same]

[chas4551]

Try a shaft with an end bearing for a smoother run on your template. the bolt is not ideal as apart from having a squared end, the thread will make it "trip up" as it,s traversing the template. Also, is the lathe speed and router speed, (RPM) similar? For a beeter finish you could study speeds and feeds used in mechanical engineering machines.

[lowinigan]

if you use a round nose router bit it makes alot smother finish

[NixonAre]

im very impressed by your skills at sutch a young age :) the furture of woodworking looks promesing:P im asuming you are a fan of Mattias Swandal?

[hydeph]

I saw a setup similar to this on the new yankee workshop. an episode about turning bowls. if you were to slow down the workpiece, it would probably result in a smoother cut, requiring less sanding

[ernesto37ful]

excelente trabajo..

[woodentoolcompany]

Im not impressed at all.

[clubzot10]

nice video, i will certainly try that after my exams.



[SuzieRosebud]

Hi Alex, I'm extremely impressed with you! As the President of a local woodturners organization, I can only say that I wish you were one of our members. You would truly be an inspiration especially for your generation of turners. Thanks so much for sharing your talent and love for woodturning with the world and I wish you great success in all you do.

Happy Turnings,

Susan

[RonRadliff]

Great idea.  Years ago, I had a tool called a Sears Router Crafter. It was a hand cranked version that did something similar with a router. It used a Core Box bit which is rounded. You might be happier with the result if you used a similar bit for your final passes. It wouldn't be perfect, but might require less sanding.

[tibothenr]

does using a cardboard blade really works cuz it sounds really fake ?

[TeenWoodworker]

@tibothenr

Ha! No, as with all of those tips that was utter rubbish...just a joke. Finishing wood with syrup??

[tibothenr]

@TeenWoodworker hahaha i had my doubts about that one too

but mixing flower with milk and flower does that work ? and the thing with the cola + woodglue ?

[TruckerJDub]

Your work is amazing. 

[specallez]

Really cool setup :)

[wtxrcdog]

Hello You have a great idea! You could us a ball nose milling cutter in your router to create smoother cuts. Great work!! Bruce

[jaramima]

Great looking vase and lathe set up. Thanks for the tips

[stevinmarin]

Absolutely cool...everything. The router lathe, the turning, and the finish. Beautiful.

[TeenWoodworker]

@stevinmarin

Thanks Steve!

[lrrooster2002]

Great ingenuity and talent!

But PLEASE watch your fingers - getting digits caught up in turning while holding abrasive sheets and pads is a very common workplace injury, especially when sanding the inside of a hole as you showed in this.

Keep up the good work though!

[cncnutz]

Excellent Video and Bud Vase.

2 Stepper motors and a computer and you will have a CNC lathe.

Keep up the great work.

Cheers

Peter

[1pcfred]

@cncnutz Wouldn't they need lead drive screws and a few others things too? Limit switches, a power supply, CAD/CAM software, few other odds and ends. Look up TB6560 to check out my motor drivers I made for $10 on instructables . I've articles there about a break out board and a power supply that work for CNC too. Oh yeah even an article about how to make a soft material tap so you can make your own lead nuts.

[cncnutz]

@1pcfred

Very True and my comment was more general than literal, but leadscrews can be just plain threaded rod, Limit switches are not needed, CAD/CAM software I lumped generally under the Computer heading and a lot of free software is available for the CAD side of things and even some CAM. I generally lump the driver , BOB and power supply under the stepper motor heading.

I think if anyone could do it Alex could with his obvious skills.

Looking forward to the next Video

Cheers

Peter

[1pcfred]

@cncnutz All thread lead screws are false economy. With CNC the devil is always in the details.

[LJG781]

I like your router set up.... and your finish....you should cut your project off... with a parting tool....on a slight in ward direction.... makes for a no wobble stance.....

[TeenWoodworker]

@LJG781

Hey thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video!

I actually used to part my things off the lathe but I have found that particuarly if I am using a softwood it leave a really horrible finish.

[nayfly9]

Great work man! You're very talented. I've started woodworking in my mid 20's and I stand in admiration of your ninja wood skills.

[DavidCousins]

Nice tool, video. Have you considered using a ball nose bit for the last cutting? Also, a ball nose follower? Just an idea to tweak your fine router lathe. Outstanding job. Fine video editing too.

[TeenWoodworker]

@DavidCousins

Yes, this will be metioned in the next video.

Thanks, Alex.

[AmateurWoodworker]

great work Alex!

[MinaBassilious]

Matthias Wandel would be proud! Well done ; )

[thekralian]

You are so talented!

[kentuckycowboy2]

Great job Alex , again ! Discovery or PBS should pick this boy up for sure , he would more than fit in well just around This Old House & Rough Cut Mack .

[MrThelt102]

I would definitely be interested in see how you built the Router Lathe. I would like to build one also. Thanks for your ingenious ideas.

[baconsoda]

Super! I'm really looking forward to telling people "Alex Harris...oh, I knew him before he was famous!"

Best Wishes, Brendan.

[Jay2525Jay]

You should be very proud, that was wonderful.

[Larenzoid]

Nice color, Alex. I've been experimenting with dye a little bit but still haven't gotten a piece finished with it. I like your machine, too. Essentially, you made a duplicator with power assist. I've thought about getting one when I was looking into making chess pieces but never got all the way into that.

Take care,

Larry

[TeenWoodworker]

@Larenzoid

Hey Larry,

Chess pieces was another thing I way planning to use this for, I think to get the really fine detail a vee bit may be required.

Alex

[MrLeonard55]

Thats pretty cool Alex. What kind of wood is it?

[deezynar]

Nice machine.  Great job.

[Buzzsawman]

great idea. I have looked around for a lathe duplicator to fit my lathe...never thought I could make one...you have given me something to think about. The platform on yours seemed to move very smoothly...did you use drawer slides to supply the movement.?

[express375]

Very interesting

[nobuckle40]

Great work on the duplicator. If I may, allow me to suggest two things. First, using a router bit with a round nose, such as a ball nosed two flute end mill may produce a smoother surface that may not require as much finsih sanding. Second, you may want to consider using a round nosed guide pin. This will follow your patterns much more smoothly which inturn will allow your round nosed cutter to follow much more smoothly. As 77dbm suggestied, a small bearing may work just as well.

[TeenWoodworker]

@nobuckle40

Thanks for these tips, I am looking to build a second version so any tips are really useful.

Alex

[77dbm]

awesome work ...would it be better to use a small wheel for the guide pin

[TheFsxmad]

It's almost like watching Matthias Wandel Junior! great machine and nice idea to dye the wood

[irishfan84n]

That was great!! Love your vids!!

[haydenHD]

Great video Alex, very nice duplicator

[willbande]

you're a bit of a genius!