New tool for my collection: Proxxon DB250 Lathe

[Vfordyce]

That lathe you got looks to small for masts and spars. My 18” one was barely big enough. I found it a lot easier to taper yards with it than to use a drill and sand paper. Once you get used to using the lathe, you can do some pretty fine stuff with it. You do have to leave some space at either end. I only turn the part nearest the chuck. The other end can get wobbly because it’s not as well supported, so I generally turn it around to do the other end.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

That lathe you got looks to small for masts and spars. My 18” one was barely big enough. I found it a lot easier to taper yards with it than to use a drill and sand paper. Once you get used to using the lathe, you can do some pretty fine stuff with it. You do have to leave some space at either end. I only turn the part nearest the chuck. The other end can get wobbly because it’s not as well supported, so I generally turn it around to do the other end.

I do the same. Not sure how to eliminate the wobbliness. I think even a metal lathe would have this issue.
I use the chisels to take off most of the material and then I use sandpaper to finish the shape. It seems to work good for me as long as I work the part nearest the chuck

 

[Roger Pellett]

A traveling steady rest

 

[Jack Sparrow]

A traveling steady rest

Do you happen to know if you can get one small enough for the PRoxxon lathe?

 

[Roger Pellett]

Sherline makes one for their lathe. I don’t know anything about the Proxxon lathe. Sherline’s website includes specifications and instructions for all of their accessories. Maybe there’s enough information there to see if it could be adapted to the Proxxon.

Roger