A lathe duplicator is a useful tool for woodworkers to create exact duplicates of a design. It saves time and money by using a template and cutters to machine the wood. The duplicator includes a rail, mounting hardware, templates, a tool holder, a wheel, and five types of cutters. It is mounted horizontally on a wood lathe and can handle a variety of cutting operations.
Using a wood lathe is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding aspects of woodworking. Transforming a perfectly shaped lamp base, decorative stud or table leg can bring enormous satisfaction. Turning a matching piece, however, presents a significant difficulty. Even the most skilled and talented carpenter finds it considerably difficult to machine an exact duplicate of a specific piece. This is why a lathe duplicator is a very useful item for any woodshop.
Essentially an add-on part to a regular wood lathe, a lathe doubler will save the home hobbyist, as well as the professional woodworker, hours of frustration and hundreds of dollars in wasted inventory. Using the template, or template, included with a lathe duplicator, a woodworker can turn exact duplicates of a particular design.
The standard lathe duplicator includes a rail, mounting hardware for attaching to existing lathe rails, a variety of templates, a tool holder, a wheel, and a set of cutters. The duplicator is mounted horizontally on the bed of an ordinary wood lathe. One end of the lathe duplicator guide is attached to the headstock, or chuck housing, and the other is attached to the tailstock. The headstock and tailstock of the lathe anchor the piece of wood to be turned. The lathe chuck rotates the workpiece so the pre-aligned cutters can actually shape, or machine, the wood as it turns.
The tool holder, which holds the cutters, is mounted on the rail of the lathe or lathe duplicator, clamped to the edge of the wheel, aligned with the workpiece, and basically rotated horizontally along the contours of the lathe duplicator template. The toolholder and cutters are moved deeper and deeper as they travel in a precise pattern along the stock.
Five types of cutters are available with the common lathe duplicator. Four of these cutters are carbide cutters and the fifth is a cone cutter, made from steel. Carbide cutters are available in four styles. The Round Bur is used for initial shaping and forming graceful curves. The square end mill is used for roughing only. The diamond (shaped) cutter is best for deep grooves and intricate details. The versatile triangular cutter can handle a variety of cutting operations, from rough shaping to sharp corners to deep grooves.
The steel cone cutter shaves the wood instead of scraping it. It is perfect for intricate cutting and machining the part to a finished look. The cone cutter is commonly used to duplicate more decorative pieces. Lathe duplicators come in a variety of sizes, configurations, and prices.
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