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I bought all the individual components from Amazon. Very much cheaper than a kit and precisely what I wanted. Only special part I had to make was a shaft extender for the motor. Was worried about RF interference but not had a problem using un-shielded cables. Speed display works but is...

I have a CL2 and was experiencing vibration that was even transmitted through the tool rest. Tried innumerable ideas to counter it, to no real effect. New spindle,belt and bearings didn't help. Love the lathe so bought a 1hp 3-phase motor and VFD. Now totally smooth and incredibly quiet...

I posted a few CL3 improvements some time ago. Includes a collar to address the leaking spindle bearing:- Here are some modifications I made to my CL3 to make it a more likeable companion. There are a lot of them out there so someone might benefit. Apologies if they seem old hat. 1. Make and...

Well done Shan. That's a good result that I hope gives you the incentive to keep experimenting. Every attempt is a great learning experience. You did well to make such deep cuts with the dremel. A trim router with more substantial bits would cope a lot better with this type of work. As...

Sanding. I generally sand and seal before routing. Minimal (fine) sanding after routing to preserve definition. Timber choice. Fine grain hardwoods generally best. Sorry, unfamiliar with magnolia. If using exotics I generally do a test cut on scrap wood first. Cutter sharpness is critical...

A sled mounted trim router is probably the most versatile starting option. This offers a wide cutter choice and with a little sophistication the axis can be tilted to create interesting effects. Add a follower to the sled to track a bowl profile and you can trace a guide to follow any form...

I have found dremels to be inadequate for precise fluting. The bearings are not secured in the bodies sufficiently to produce consistent results. This can be improved if you are prepared to tinker with the innards. The Proxxon units are much better and their flexible drives have secure bearings...

Thanks Pete.

A few more pictures of my work for Yorkieguy and any others that may be interested.

Those are kind and very generous words my friend. I referred to myself as a relative beginner but I have been turning for about 7 years. During that time I only turned occasionally (perhaps a piece/month). The majority of my working life was spent designing domestic and industrial products...

Ask 2 people what they would do with a set of paint brushes - One would decorate a room the other would paint a masterpiece. It's all about attitude to your tools. I only have a simple lathe (Record CL2) but without it I could not have made the few examples attached. I'm still a relative...

My situation was similar. I needed new chucks. Had an old 3/4-16" lathe and added a smaller one with M33 spindle. I was using both Axminster SK100 and Record sc3 and sc4 chucks so had good familiarity with both makes. I settled on sc4 with insert for the new lathe allowing interchanging...

Just returned to this thread. That was not my work I showed, just a typical example. Glad to see you've been shown the method. There's plenty of scope for variation.

How about a Weissflog style lattice pattern.

The mods were all done a long time ago but from memory............ The oil catcher was turned from acetal but could even be made from wood. Originally a press fit, small retaining grub screws were added later . There is a machined shoulder on the head casting that provides the seating. Back...

A bit late to the party but here are a few mods I did to my CL3. The banjo uses a flat sided washer and lignum vitae insert along the lines that have already been suggested. I bought the updated camlock banjo (green) but found it inferior to this design. (Quality was appalling!). Also shown...

If I remember correctly, used a metal edge to guide the grinder to rough out, then filed. Very important to use a cylindrical file (chainsaw sharpening style) of the same diameter as the inserted HSS rod to get a perfect seating and establish a 50% of circumference contact. I'm of an age when...

Made these a couple of years ago using cheap HSS from Amazon. Half hour with angle grinder and small chainsaw file. Just one fail when clipped by chuck but easy re-glue. Works really well.

I fitted a 32mm axminster cbn to my record on the 25mm wheel side so retaining the 40mm alox wheel. Careful consideration needed for guard clearance. Had to make the bushes myself but works fine. Motor is under-powered but ok when up to speed. Made numerous other mods to get an effective...

A lifetime of designing technical products for mass production then a week in my retirement refuge(shed) making a humble router mechanism.