Building a New Lathe

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vtsteam:
Well the electronic lead screw is ready to try out on the lathe, but I need a case to house the electrical components and switches. I want to minimize the footprint (this is a tiny shop after all) and also make something that's in keeping with the style of the lathe so far. A square utility case lying on the bench just doesn't appeal to me.

Since I'm not casting right now, I decided to make a heavy shaped pvc case that attaches to the lathe. In form I'd like it to look something like a typical small lathe quick change gearbox.

So, I hunted up some scrap 4" PVC drainpipe, slit it with a handsaw lengthwise, and popped it into a pot of salted water to boil. This sch 40 pipe is nice and heavy walled -- 1/4" thick. Because I wanted to retain some of the pipe's shape, I only added enough water in the pot to cover the half of the pipe I wanted to bend.

vtsteam:
After the water reached a rapid boil, I pulled the pipe out with tongs. I had leather gloves on, so I just bent it by hand to about the shape I wanted. You only have a few seconds to work before the pipe freezes.

I couldn't get a reverse curve that way though, so I took the still hot pipe, and applied a heat gun where I wanted the reverse. I kept it moving over the surface, because it's easy to burn or blister an area -- especially with pipe this thick. You have to heat gradually and carefully. In a short time I had approximately the shape I wanted.

vtsteam:
Since the water was already hot, I figured I'd better make some flat stock for end pieces, so I hunted up some more scrap pipe. I took a 5" long section and slit it into two halves lengthwise. Then popped those into the pot for some more "pipe soup"!

vtsteam:
When soft, I squeezed each piece between two boards. And stood on them!

When they were hard again in about a minute each, I took the curved piece and trimmed it down some so I could see what it looked like against the lathe. There will be some more needed fitting, but these are the pieces made today, for now.

NormanV:
When I lived in Kenya I did some building work and a trick I learned from a plumber to join pvc pipe was byheating it over a small fire and when it softened to force it over another piece of pipe. When it had cooled you could pull it apart and apply the glue to make a permanent joint. Much cheaper than buying a special joint and just as effective.

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