Facet-O-Rama lathe-top faceting jig

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PersonMakeObject

PersonMakeObject

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Hello Penturners!

The IAP asked if I would share some information about the simple lathe-top router jig I made to cut facets.

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The document is a work in progress, but I thought I would share what I have so far to see if there's feedback or suggestions on what I might add as well as general format. There's a working draft of the guide attached as a .pdf or a Google doc HERE.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I also made a short video explainer of the jig and how I use it.

Ask questions if you've got them and feel free to make any suggestions you have.

Cheers and Make On!
- kevin from PersonMakeObject

 

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  • Facet-O-Rama.pdf
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  • Facet-O-Rama.pdf
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Nice jig Kevin. If you have been following any threads on the forum you my notice that there are a few of us who use a router in conjunction with a lathe and use different mounting methods. I am one of those people but I use a platform and a small detail router. Mine as well as your can probably do about the same things but different angles. I come at it from the side as you come at it from the top. You can also make slots in a blank and then fill with materials. Then you could do the hex look. here is mine.

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d_bondi said:
This is brilliant, thank you for sharing!

First question is how do you do the tapered sides?
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Thanks David!

Tapering is one of the things I have to add to the guide. All it takes is an adjustable offset center in the tailstock and setting it up to the taper angle desired. After that the rest is the same as in the video.

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jttheclockman said:
Nice jig Kevin. If you have been following any threads on the forum you my notice that there are a few of us who use a router in conjunction with a lathe and use different mounting methods. I am one of those people but I use a platform and a small detail router. Mine as well as your can probably do about the same things but different angles. I come at it from the side as you come at it from the top. You can also make slots in a blank and then fill with materials. Then you could do the hex look. here is mine.

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Click to expand...
Beautiful work John! I did see some side mount jigs, but didn't notice whose and honestly didn't do much research. It was more of an instance of having a problem, getting an idea of how to solve the problem, and rolling with the idea. I can certainly see some advantages and additional applications to an adjustable height, side mounted jig - visibility especially. That said, the solution I came up with has exceeded my expectations functionally, expecially considering the time and materials put into making it.
Cheers and Make On!
 
PersonMakeObject said:
Thanks David!

Tapering is one of the things I have to add to the guide. All it takes is an adjustable offset center in the tailstock and setting it up to the taper angle desired. After that the rest is the same as in the video.

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Click to expand...

Ah, that makes sense. I guess having paid attention in geometry class could pay off here. :oops:

I'd like to know more about the adjustable offset center. Is it something you had made or is it readily available somewhere?
 
d_bondi said:
Ah, that makes sense. I guess having paid attention in geometry class could pay off here. :oops:

I'd like to know more about the adjustable offset center. Is it something you had made or is it readily available somewhere?
Click to expand...
The adjustable offset centers are readily available on Amazon and Ebay in MT2 and MT3 tapers.
A search for "lathe taper turning attachment" should get you to many options.
Here's the one I got (free slow shipping from India).
 
jttheclockman said:
How was the bearing on the cone? Did it spin with no friction?
Click to expand...
This one has a dead center. I'm only using it to cut facets on stock that I've previously turned to a taper conventionally, so it's actually beneficial that the center isn't free spinning. There are versions available with live centers but they seem less common.
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Thanks for the info. I may have to pick one of these up and play around with it. I would use wedges on my platform to give a slanted look. This looks like an easier method. Thanks. I love jigs. if you have any other jigs that you use for different applications, please share.
 
I purchased the adjustable offset center and a 1" surfacing bit.

Now I just need to do some math for my Jet 1221VS and dig through my Baltic Birch scraps. I think I may make the top in two layers, 1/4" base and 1/2" with the router base cutout, that way I can cut it out to fit instead of drilling/routing it out.

I also want to noodle on how to work dust collection for it. May have to fire up the 3D printer for that part...
 
PersonMakeObject said:
Hello Penturners!

The IAP asked if I would share some information about the simple lathe-top router jig I made to cut facets.

View attachment 381306 View attachment 381309

The document is a work in progress, but I thought I would share what I have so far to see if there's feedback or suggestions on what I might add as well as general format. There's a working draft of the guide attached as a .pdf or a Google doc HERE.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I also made a short video explainer of the jig and how I use it.

Ask questions if you've got them and feel free to make any suggestions you have.

Cheers and Make On!
- kevin from PersonMakeObject
Click to expand...
Thats a very informative and well shot video, thanks for sharing. Is there a possibility to add an indexing fixture to a woodlathe/chuck ? Cheers
 
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