Profiling a pistol barrel on my wee lathe.

[Justin Urbantas]

Started playing around with my little Craftsman 109 metal lathe, and starting an octagon to round barrel. It will fit up to 9 1/4" barrel. Works pretty well, considering I have under $300 invested in the lathe and tools. I can see lots of fun projects in the future.

[44-henry]

Cute lathe. Have to remember the spindle on those things is only 1/2" so cuts need to be very light. I also would suggest switching to high speed steel cutters that you grind yourself, you will get much better results than with the carbide shown in a small lathe like that. There is an excellent website linked below you might find interesting that has some great info on using and improving a 109. Also some other great projects.

http://www.deansphotographica.com/machining/projects/109/109a.html

[Justin Urbantas]

Thanks for the advice and good link. I wish I had a manual for mine. It's kind of guess and go for me.

[Dennis Glazener]

Thanks for the advice and good link. I wish I had a manual for mine. It's kind of guess and go for me.

Try doing a google search for "your lathe Manual" and you most likely will find one, evenvthe old ones pop up fairly often.
Dennis

[44-henry]

I can send you a pdf of the manual if you are looking for one, just PM me where you would like it sent. You might also go to www.hobby-machinist.com

Their forum has lots of posts on the 109 lathe and many others you would probably find interesting. I had one much like yours years ago that I eventually sold. To be honest they have some issues, but they can do good work within their limitations.