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First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate (Read 610 times)
 
Michael Lester
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First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Sep 11th, 2018 at 10:54am
 
I recently acquired a Cummins lathe - very inexpensive and it came with a starter set of tools. Have never touched a wood lathe before. The Owners Manual indicates the use of a faceplate to hold stock. The lathe I acquired did not have one and the previous owner tells me he never had it. I've tried to find anything about the 'Cummins' company for parts with no luck. I do note that the lathe itself looks very much like many inexpensive lathes out there selling under different brand names. Is there another source for a faceplate for this type lathe? Used would be great, but new if necessary. Thanks for any help you can give...Michael
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Al Wasser
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #1 - Sep 11th, 2018 at 11:40am
 
You need to find out the spindle size, perhaps from a lathe manual.  Knowing that you should be able to find a face plate that will fit.  Lots of vendors make face plates in different sizes.  I have never heard of a Cummins lathe before.
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Ralph Fahringer
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #2 - Sep 11th, 2018 at 12:03pm
 
Based on what i saw doing a google search, keep the tools and throw the lathe in the dumpster. Shocked Grin

But the manual you have should also have the specs on it giving you the spindle size.

You might end up having to buy an adapter to fit a more standard thread on a face plate or chuck.

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Al Wasser
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #3 - Sep 11th, 2018 at 1:42pm
 
After you find the spindle size you will likely find out if it is a common size.  If it is a real odd size you may find getting faceplates, drive centers, chucks, live centers, etc very difficult. If that is the case you may as well do what Ralph says.  Why spend a lot of $ on things that will not fit a better lathe in the future if/when you decide you like woodturning.
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Don Stephan
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #4 - Sep 11th, 2018 at 6:47pm
 
People new to lathes can benefit tremendously from a local woodturning group.  Lots of people at various experience levels, eager to assist a new turner.  Some if not most groups offer classes and mentoring, and you may find one or more members willing to visit you and your lathe.

Some first questions regarding your lathe are (as already mentioned) the size and thread count on the spindle, whether the headstock and tailstock accept morse tapers and if so what size, and what speeds does the lathe offer.  If these terms are all sound foreign, even more reason to get together with a local turning group.
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Glenn Matthies
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #5 - Sep 11th, 2018 at 11:46pm
 
Cummins did a traveling truckload tool sale some time ago.  It was like Harbor Freight only mobile.  Their lathe was likely a very low end one similar to the Harbor Freights for the time period.  Cummins Tools apparently had to change their name in 2010 due to legal action involving Cummins Deisel.

As others have said, find the diameter and tpi of the spindle and purchase a face plate for that size.
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Michael Lester
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #6 - Sep 13th, 2018 at 9:09pm
 
I've learned that the spindle size for this lathe is M18 2.5. Google and Ebay search didn't produce a face plate with these specs. I can find tons of these lathes on-line 'branded' by various companies - but no source for parts.

Any help for a parts source would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Allan Miller
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #7 - Sep 14th, 2018 at 7:57am
 
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Couldn’t find any faceplates but Nova has the m18 2.5 inserts for their chucks so may be a place to start.
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Chris Brock
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #8 - Sep 14th, 2018 at 8:24am
 
You could always get some M18 nuts (which seem to be reasonably priced) and make your own faceplates.
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Ed Weber
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #9 - Sep 14th, 2018 at 8:53am
 
The lathe should have a model number on it somewhere, I would start there.
A photo with a forensic gauge (ruler) would be helpful in determining what size the spindle ( diameter & thread count) and/or morse taper are.
Here is a link that may help you determine what spindle/thread size you have.

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Michael Lester
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #10 - Sep 14th, 2018 at 10:52am
 
...wow! Great information. I like the 'make your own faceplate' idea. Fastenal sells nuts that match the thread on this spindle.

Thanks everyone.

Michael
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Don Stephan
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #11 - Sep 14th, 2018 at 2:03pm
 
I like better using a chuck with the proper insert, the chuck's jaws and wood screw.  No balancing needed.
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David Hill
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Re: First ever wood lathe - Cummins (?) face plate
Reply #12 - Sep 18th, 2018 at 1:08pm
 
I remember seeing lathes at a Cummins sale---they would hit the VFW here occasionally.  As I remember the slowest speed isn't very slow, so be very careful about trying to turn any piece that isn't well balanced.  Plus you may have to take thin cuts as the motor may stall.

Didn't know that about the name change.--thought the quality caught up with'em.
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Everyday liberating nice things from ordinary chunks of wood---and I like gnarly wood, the outcome is nearly always better than the start.
 
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