PowerKits™ Power Tool System
Bench Lathe 
Users Guide

Thank you for buying this Inland product. The PowerKits™ Systems' key benefit is that a single MainFrame™ and PowerUnit™ combine with any of the AddOn™ kits to create a complete line of wet or dry operating benchtop power tools. Start off with the basic machine you need now and expand your system as you desire without the expense of purchasing a complete machine each time. Inland makes dozens of accessories for use with your PowerKits™ system that further increase its versatility and affordability.

Safety

• Always wear safety glasses or goggles while operating any of the PowerKits™ machines. A FaceShield™ can be used with most machines for additional protection.
• Use only in a properly grounded electrical system. Do Not override the grounding system.
• Always unplug your machine when moving the PowerUnit™, installing blades, and making adjustments.
• Set up your machines on a sturdy, level work surface that is water tolerant and at a comfortable working height.
• PowerKits™ should not be used by children without close adult supervision. Young children should never be permitted to operate power tools.
• Never operate with guard covers and safety features removed or disabled.    

Bench Lathe Kit
The PowerKits™ Bench Lathe has been designed for use on woods, plastics, soft metals, even stone. It can shape virtually any material with the appropriate tools used.

Bench Lathe Assembly
Take a minute to check that you have all parts listed and then refer to the diagram and pictures for assembly. You will need a VSR PowerUnit™ (#10520), and the PowerKits™ Bench Lathe AddOn™ Kit (#10556). (A Phillips Head Screwdriver is also needed for set up.)

Bench Lathe Kit Parts List
1 - Grey Bench Lathe Bed w/ Ways
1 - Grey Tail Stock Assembly
1 - Grey Tool Rest Assembly
1 - Grey PowerUnit Retaining Clip
1 - 3-Jaw Chuck
2 - 5/64" Short Arm Allen Wrench
1 - 3/16" Short Arm Allen Wrench
1 - #10-24 x 1/2" Machine Screw
4 - #10 x 3/4" Wood Screws (to secure to workbench)

Assembly

1. Align the rails on the bottom of the PowerUnit™ with the corresponding slots on the Bench Lathe Bed. Slide the PowerUnit™ into place making sure that it slides forward into the retainer tab on the Bench Lathe Bed about 2 ½" below the motor shaft.
2. Secure the PowerUnit™ Retaining Clip onto the Bench Lathe Bed using the #10-24 Machine Screw provided and the threaded brass insert already in the frame.
3. For best results, the Bench Lathe must be used with the shaft extender on the PowerUnit™ removed. The PowerUnit™ was shipped with the extender removed. However, if you have just been using it for another kit that requires the extender, remove the extender before using the lathe.
4. Apply a thin coating of Inland MotorShaft Lubricant™ or petroleum jelly to the motor shaft. This helps keep the 3-Jaw Chuck from seizing on the motor shaft and facilitates its removal.
5. Mount the 3-Jaw Chuck to the motor shaft until it is almost flush with the motor housing. Lock the Chuck securely in place using the 5/64" Allen Wrench provided. Make sure that you tighten the set screw to the flat side of the motor shaft. You want the set screw snug but not overly tight.
6. If you plan to use the Tool Rest, slide it onto the metal ways now. There is a plastic friction plate that slides into the ways, so that when the vertical black knob is tightened it will secure the Tool Rest in place. It may require you to loosen this knob slightly before the Tool Rest will slide on. Position of the Tool Rest is not critical at this time. Adjustments will be made depending on the size of the material being turned. Similarly, the height of the Tool Rest will be adjusted later depending on size of the material being turned. However, you can start by setting the Tool Rest just slightly above the height of the Tail Stock Center (see next).
7. If you plan to use the Tail Stock, slide it onto the metal ways now. The Tail Stock actually fits on the outside of the metal ways, and will snug down tight when the black knob is tightened. It may require you to loosen this knob slightly before the Tail Stock will slide on. Position of the Tail Stock is not critical at this time. Adjustments will be made depending on the type of material being turned.
8. For best results you must screw your Bench Lathe securely to the work bench using the (4) #10 x 3/4" Wood Screws provided. Alternately, you can mount it to a board which can be clamped down securely.
9. You may now plug your PowerUnit™ into an appropriate grounded wall outlet.

Setting Up Your Work
Use of full safety goggles is mandatory. To obtain the best finish and safest results, always use the correct cutting and finishing tools with your bench lathe. Each type of work performed will require the proper tool for the job. It is very important that the tools be sharp and properly used for peak performance. The working surface of your gouges or other tools should be held above the midline (center) of the piece being turned. If you have never operated a lathe before, you should practice with this machine on scrap pieces until you get comfortable with the proper speed and feed of the lathe, as well as familiarizing yourself with the various gouges and files that you may be using.

Mounting Your Work Piece
Regardless of the material you are using, you will want to make sure that the work piece is mounted securely and correctly. The PowerKits™ Bench Lathe comes equipped with a 3-Jaw Chuck for mounting a variety of pieces. Take care too be sure that the piece being mounted in the Chuck is as centered as possible. Especially as the diameter of the work piece gets smaller, this centering is more critical AND prone to be off-center in the chuck.

The jaws of the Chuck are reversible to allow you to mount even larger pieces into the Chuck. To reverse them, unscrew the chuck until the jaws fall out, one by one. Pick them up as they fall out, and mark the threading from which each jaw fell. You will note that the jaws are numbered as well. The threading on the Chuck is designed to accommodate the numbered jaw for that threading only. If you must reverse the jaws, pay close attention to getting the jaws back into their appropriate tracks. This will save you some frustrating moments trying to align them afterwards.

To mount materials that are not round to begin with (like square stock), you can drill a hole in the center of one end of the stock and then insert a round dowel pin into that hole. It is important to secure that pin in place with either a very good friction fit or perhaps a bit of glue. You can also use a Face Plate to mount larger pieces as well. A Face Plate (not included in this kit) mounts onto the motor shaft just like the 3-Jaw Chuck. Generally, they have four or more slotted holes in them to allow you to bolt your work piece down to the Face Plate. Don't be afraid to make your own holes in the Face Plate if the standard holes do not fit you needs.

The Tail Stock is used when you want to have firm support of the work piece at both ends. As with the chucked end, you will want your work piece to be as centered as possible on the Tail Stock. If possible, draw a couple of bisecting lines on the tail end of your work piece, where these lines cross should be a good approximation of the center of your work piece. Slide the Tail Stock in towards the work until the Tail Stock Center Screw starts to pierce that center mark. Secure the Tail Stock in place by tightening the Black Clamping Knob on the bottom front of the Tail Stock. Now make a couple of turns on the Tail Stock Center Screw Knob to tighten the Center Screw further into the work. Secure the Center Screw in place with the brass thumbscrew on the front of the Tail Stock.

Turning Wood

Turning Speed
The PowerUnit™ you are using is variable speed and reversible. First, set the toggle switch to the CCW position. Speed control is very helpful with your lathe bed. Softer materials will require higher speeds to obtain the same smooth cuts. Depending on the material on which you are working, you will want to vary the motor accordingly. Start with the motor spinning at about half speed. If you get too much chatter out of your cutting tool, try increasing the speed of the motor (or decreasing the feed rate of the cutting tool). Once you learn to balance the speed and feed rate of your work, you will be well on your way to basic mastery of your lathe!

Tool Pressure  
Start by advancing the tool into the turning piece slowly. Make sure that you keep the tool firmly set on the tool rest. If you attempt to push too hard or too fast, you will find that a lathe takes rough chunks and chips out of the wood. For a nice clean and smooth cut, slowly advance the tool in until it is cutting as desired. If you find that the lathe is chipping too much, withdraw the cutting tool, and start advancing it again.

Finishing
When you are done roughing out the piece that you are working on, you will find that finishing can best be accomplished by using sandpaper or finer files. For most scale work, you can accomplish an amazing amount of shaping as well by using nothing more than sandpaper and files. Some extremely soft materials (like balsa) will best be worked with just the sandpaper and files.

Turning Metals

Turning Speed
The PowerUnit™ you are using is variable speed and reversible. First, set the toggle switch to the CCW position. Speed control is very helpful with your lathe bed. Metals cut best at slower turning speeds. Generally, you want to remove stock in long "peeling" pieces. If most of your material is coming off in "chips" you are either using too much speed or not enough pressure. Start with the motor spinning at about 2/3 full speed. If you get too much chatter out of your cutting tool, try decreasing the speed of the motor (or increasing the feed rate of the cutting tool). Once you learn to balance the speed and feed rate of your work, you will be well on your way to basic mastery of your lathe!

Tool Pressure
Start by advancing the tool into the turning piece slowly. Make sure that you keep the tool firmly set on the tool rest. If you attempt to push too hard or too fast, you will most likely bog the machine down. This varying in speed will cause poor results due to a higher degree of tool marks on the turned piece. For a nice clean and smooth cut, slowly advance the tool in until it is cutting as desired. If you find that the lathe is chattering too much, withdraw the cutting tool, and start advancing it again.

Finishing
When you are done roughing out the piece that you are working on, you will find that finishing can best be accomplished by using sandpaper or finer files. For most scale work, you can accomplish an amazing amount of shaping as well by using nothing more than sandpaper and files.

Maintenance
Maintenance of your PowerKits^™ Bench Lathe is minimal but important to prolonging its life and performance. Refer to the PowerUnit^™ instructions for general motor maintenance.

• To prevent the 3-Jaw Chuck from seizing on the shaft, apply a small amount of Inland MotorShaft Lubricant™ (Inland #50022) or similar Teflon^®- or petroleum-based jelly to the motor shaft every time you change or remove a saw blade.
• Remove the 3-Jaw Chuck if you will not be using the machine for extended time periods.
• To prevent damage to the motor shaft, always make sure to secure tools to the flat side of the motor shaft. Mounting to the round side can scar the shaft and inhibit tool removal.
• Keep the bench lathe clean. Always thoroughly clean and keep dry all bench lathe parts. Periodically remove the PowerUnit™, Tail Stock, and Tool Rest from the lathe bed. Blow out any material that may have gotten stuck to the metal ways of the plastic lathe bed itself.
• Keep the heat vents on the PowerUnit™ clear of debris.

Optional Accessories Available
Your PowerKits™ Bench Lathe was designed to standards that will allow you to use a range of accessories from many different makers of bench lathes. Face Plates, Tail Stocks, Morse Taper centers, etc. can all be added to your PowerKits™ lathe.

• FaceShield™: A large clear acrylic shield for additional protection when sawing. Inland #50017
• MagnaShield™: A large clear acrylic shield with a precision magnifying lens molded in for viewing intricate and small details when sawing. Inland #50018
• MotorShaft Lubricant™: a Teflon^® based lubricant to help the 3-Jaw Chuck from seizing on the motor shaft and help seal out debris. Inland #50022
• GrinderStation™: A free standing, three sided washable vinyl surround that helps contain over spray. Inland #50014.

BenchTop Lathe Kit Specifications
For use with PowerKits VSR PowerUnit
Stock no. 10556
Maximum Length of material: 13" (330mm)
Maximum Throw Diameter: 6" (152mm)
Maximum Jaw Opening: 2" (51mm)
Material: Structural ABS

Try these other Inland PowerKit™ Products

Router / Shaper AddOn™ Kit: Inland Stock no. 10550

Grind, rout, shape, and polish virtually any material wet or dry with this AddOn™ Kit. Requires the PowerKits™ MainFrame™, Single Speed or Variable Speed Reversible PowerUnit™. This kit comes standard with a 1" diamond grinding / shaping bit. Fits all Inland diamond bits, plus the new DBI™ System of sanding drums.

Table Saw AddOn™ Kit: Inland Stock no. 10551

Cut through virtually any material with this 6 ½" Table Saw. Used wet with a DiamondCut™ blade, it will make short work of stone, ceramic tile, glass, and other mineral based items. Or, without water, this saw can cut through woods, plastics, and nonferrous metals with either the General Purpose (fine tooth) blade, or the more aggressive cut of the WoodCut™ (medium tooth and kerf) Blade. Requires the PowerKits™ MainFrame™, Single Speed or Variable Speed Reversible PowerUnit™. This kit comes with a standard 6 ½" General Purpose blade.

Drill Press AddOn™ Kit: Inland Stock no. 10552 

This handy drill press attachment will work equally well with a flexible shaft accessory (optional) or most rotary hand tools. Fits drills with up to a .125" shank. Mount a sanding drum to the collet of a flexible shaft tool or rotary hand tool, and you can use this as a stationary drum sander. Requires the PowerKits™ MainFrame™, Table Saw AddOn™ Kit, and this kit. Use the Single Speed or Variable Speed Reversible PowerUnit™ with Inland's FlexShaft™ accessory.

Band Saw AddOn™ Kit: Inland Stock no. 10555

The PowerKits™ Band Saw may be the handiest kit of all. Three available blades, DiamondCut™, WoodCut™, or MetalCut™, will saw through virtually any nonferrous materials. As with all PowerKits™, this band saw can be used wet or dry. The inherent safety of a diamond blade makes it virtually impossible to cut yourself. This is a nice feature for those afraid of a toothed saw blade. This kit requires only a Variable Speed Reversible PowerUnit™ and a saw blade of your choosing.

Service

If you have any questions or comments regarding the use of this or any Inland product please call Inland Customer Service at 1-800-521-8428 9 AM to 5 PM EST., email us, or write us at:

Inland Craft Products, Co. 32052 Edward Madison Heights, MI 48071

Document No. 3000/QF/598 Rev No. 1 Stock No. 68861556