What to do with a tiny XY table?

[John Hill]

It is not really an XY table, it is a Sherline mini lathe without headstock or motor..

Sherline bed by MrJohnHill, on Flickr

.... I got it because I need the tail stock for another Sherline I have with a damaged tailstock.

So what to do with the bed and cross slide?

P.S. These are the original, genuine, made in Australia brass Sherline lathes.

[Maryak]

So what to do with the bed and cross slide?

Give it a head job 

Bob

[John Hill]

So what to do with the bed and cross slide?

Give it a head job 

Bob

Well yes, a head job is probably the easiest part of a simple lathe to make,  but then I would have to make another tail stock and I only bought this bit to get a tailstock for my other Sherline...... Oh dear, it is all too much!.....

[tel]

Tuck it away somewhere safe - one day you will have a flash of inspiration.

Coupled with a bench grinder it could even form the basis of a neat tool grinder.

[ths]

I think Tel's had the flash of inspiration. Power the lead screw with one of those 12v geared motors, cover the ways....

Hugh.

[John Hill]

Intriguing, but I wish I knew how a tool grinder would work so that I could think of what else would be required.

[steamer]

John,

I got one of those a long time ago...and put it to use as a pair of dividing centers....I used the headstock on a home built milling machine.

I will be re using the headstock as a toolpost spindle, and I still have the dividing centers.    I'll dig up a picture....but yes the original brass bed Australian verision it is....just like mine!

Dave

[fcheslop]

Maybe a little tool and cutter grinder hiding in there.

[Mosey]

You got me thinking...too bad the postage is a little high from NZ to NJ, or I'd say it would be nice as a stage on my sensitive drill press. Then, how about putting my sensitive drill over the slide on my jewelers lathe? Hmmm.
Mosey