21 century lathe, DIY motor?

[WillyTP]

Do you know where I can find one?

Bruno’s sells Pumpkins.

 

[ClassCat]

I think I may end up going this route. Eric cortina has a video on YouTube with the HF mini lathe, He does everything from his mini lathe. Trimming, deburring, neck turning, neck cleaning, flash whole deburing all from one machine.. the one question I have is, why use the pumpkin? Why not use the regular lathe cutting blade with a mandrul in the chuck? Why use the pumpkin?

Thanks

Don (The Pumpkin) Nielsen was a tool and die maker on the SR71, Stealth project, and the Space Shuttle. He did this as labor of Love for Benchrest. I own several of his tools.His Craftsmanship was SECOND TO NONE

 

[DngBat7]

Don (The Pumpkin) Nielsen was a tool and die maker on the SR71, Stealth project, and the Space Shuttle. He did this as labor of Love for Benchrest. I own several of his tools.His Craftsmanship was SECOND TO NONE

Cool. If you here of anybody selling one of his “pumpkins” at a good price. Let me know

 

[ClassCat]

I see that but he mentioned that the cheytac one can be used on smaller cases. So use faster motor or variable or how does it change speed.

Give John a call. Real nice guy

 

[ClassCat]

Cool. If you here of anybody selling one of his “pumpkins” at a good price. Let me know

Will do. But there is a high demand for them. Try Bruno, He may have them. Make sure you get a set of Don's mandrels with the set up,for Expander, primary and second cuts if needed

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

I would like to see this. Plus its great that you get someone else to do your cases! How great is that.

Here it is...the motor is mini bench grinder from Harbor Frt with rocker switch to back.

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

Has anybody successfully diy’ed a motor to their lathe. I am in the market for one, But there new motorized one is almost 500 more dollars, and I want to see you if it can be done diy

You thx

The key word for a mounted drive motor here is "Budget"...My design, cheap works great. Can use foot pedal switch from Harbor Frt or hand toggle on mini grinder mounted back to front at right hand finger tips. Perfect level with case holder shaft of 21st lathe, when mounted to low profile aluminum sleeved bearing slide which is required for friction free rotation of the case holder unit.

 

[DngBat7]

That’s really interesting. And seems like it would be inexpensive

 

[DngBat7]

View attachment 1043617
My design, cheap works great. Can use foot pedal switch or hand toggle at right hand finger tips. Perfect level with shaft of 21st lathe which is required for friction free rotation of the case holder unit.

How do you move the motor cback and forth to neck the brass?

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

How do you move the motor cback and forth to neck the brass?

Right hand rests on top of motor which glides easily on the aluminum extended bearing track the mini-motor is mounted on. Switch is operated by ring finger on back. The right thumb and index finger are free to guide case on to turning mandrel.
I start motor(right hand rested on top) when the mouth of case is slid just onto the turn mandrel guided by left hand, then squeeze to slide case into cutter. The blade does a perfect job at higher RPM and two to three quick passes just onto shoulder. Shut off motor with right ring finger on control hand before coming off mandrel neck with case to prevent wobble. No steel wool needed, very smooth cut. Prelube ( thinly) lathe mandrel and outer case neck(Q tip) with cutting oil and dab on lathe shaft for really slick operation. I purchased a sealed O bearing I was going to upgrade the shaft guide hole on the 21st lathe with to reduce drive friction but once I ran the shaft a while and with lube I haven't had to incorporate it into the design due to little bit of intersurface wear and polishing.
I looked at the RCBS drive motor but cost is high for it too. Same with sinclair motor. High torque isn't really needed if the feed rate is light and fine shavings done(which is the idea). Too slow of RPM for me is chatter and rough cut. The drive shaft of motor has to be in perfect alignment with the guide hole on the lathe frame to run properly...but runout is superb
I've personally shaved 500 6.5cm cases. My neighbor has done several thou 223 for himself and me and 200 formed Lapua 6PPC for me. Runs like a champ

 

[ClassCat]

View attachment 1043617
The key word for a mounted drive motor here is "Budget"...My design, cheap works great. Can use foot pedal switch from Harbor Frt or hand toggle on mini grinder mounted back to front at right hand finger tips. Perfect level with case holder shaft of 21st lathe, when mounted to low profile aluminum sleeved bearing slide which is required for friction free rotation of the case holder unit.

I prefer holding the Tools. It gives me a better feel for how the cut is progressing and lets me use trim ,chamfer and dial indicated devices for concentric measurements.

 

[4Bowhunter]

You'd have to call RCBS and find out what RPM it is because to be honest I have no idea. I've done PPC cases in 2 passes. I mostly do 30 caliber stuff in one pass like 30 BR, and BRX, ect.

Just remember that the 21 st century lathy bushing is only rated for 500 MAX RPM . There is no warranty on the bushing.

 

[Shooter13]

The Century 21 equipment is top notch all the way around, I love mine and have used it over the last year on everything from a .223 to a .300 win mag, works perfect. I want to power mine and I do like the idea provided earlier about using the RCBS power trimmer motor. Give John a call, he is super helpful.

 

[DngBat7]

The Century 21 equipment is top notch all the way around, I love mine and have used it over the last year on everything from a .223 to a .300 win mag, works perfect. I want to power mine and I do like the idea provided earlier about using the RCBS power trimmer motor. Give John a call, he is super helpful.

Well if you figure something out let me know. I get mine in the mail tomorrow. I’m thinking getting a low rpm drill from harbor freight and taking it apart and mounting I to the unit in some way

 

[Shooter13]

Well if you figure something out let me know. I get mine in the mail tomorrow. I’m thinking getting a low rpm drill from harbor freight and taking it apart and mounting I to the unit in some way

Will do!

 

[Shooter13]

I have the Century 21 lathe, multiple calibers and it is nice, really nice. I would love to have the motor and if I were doing it again I'd order with motor. I did purchase the RCBS motor that glides on a rail and if I can figure out how to mesh them up will post pics. Again, I have a Sinclair neck turner for 6PPC and the Century 21, they both work excellent but the Century 21 is my choice now.

 

[DngBat7]

I have the Century 21 lathe, multiple calibers and it is nice, really nice. I would love to have the motor and if I were doing it again I'd order with motor. I did purchase the RCBS motor that glides on a rail and if I can figure out how to mesh them up will post pics. Again, I have a Sinclair neck turner for 6PPC and the Century 21, they both work excellent but the Century 21 is my choice now.

How will it not mesh up?

 

[DngBat7]

I have the Century 21 lathe, multiple calibers and it is nice, really nice. I would love to have the motor and if I were doing it again I'd order with motor. I did purchase the RCBS motor that glides on a rail and if I can figure out how to mesh them up will post pics. Again, I have a Sinclair neck turner for 6PPC and the Century 21, they both work excellent but the Century 21 is my choice now.

Someone posted this on page 2 of this thread

 

[TrxR]

Whats the ideal rpm for neck trimming vs neck turning?

I was thinking about just taking a spare furnace fan motor and running it to a seperate shaft by a belt and changing the rpm by a pulley swap. the other motor i thought of was a treadmill motor as it is variable speed.

 

[Shooter13]

Someone posted this on page 2 of this thread

Did some engineering this afternoon, will post pics in the next few days when complete, looks good and very solid, I didn't use the bottom of the lathe just the two stands and with the RCBS motor mounted on the same block of finished wood it is an exact fit.