I have an HF 8x12 Lathe and it appears easy to make it an 8x20, so I have started. You are probably wondering about the math from 12 to 20, well with a max hang over where the hold down bolt is still within the bed, I think center to center will be 20 inches. We will see.
I have removed the bed tag and scraped the paint off the end of the bed and given a sanding.
Next I verified the squareness of the bed end and was surprised to find it only off by .0005 minus in six inches, so the perfect opportunity for a few lower down jack bolts.
I did find the tail end lead screw block to stick out about a sixteenth too far, so chuck that in the 3 jaw and faced it down to not interfere.
I am debating with either a 6 inch wide webbed angle block or a solid 5 inch wide (although that is only a 4 inch wide pictured).
I have enquirers out as to the plate thickness of the 5x5x5 as I don't have a mill and wanted to match the bed thickness which is .495. The 4 inch is .454 and I am hoping an Interstate Machined 5x5x5 solid is .500. (www.Use-Enco.com # 418-4325)
If anyone has one and can give me the plate thickness, that would be great.
Once that is finalized, it is simply cutting out the same end bed shape through the angle plate.
Last is the milling of a 1/2 key stock to be bolted on as a way. Haven't thought that far ahead yet, and may have to take that to a real machine shop for precision.
Enjoy and hope this gives others some ideas.
I have removed the bed tag and scraped the paint off the end of the bed and given a sanding.
Next I verified the squareness of the bed end and was surprised to find it only off by .0005 minus in six inches, so the perfect opportunity for a few lower down jack bolts.
I did find the tail end lead screw block to stick out about a sixteenth too far, so chuck that in the 3 jaw and faced it down to not interfere.
I am debating with either a 6 inch wide webbed angle block or a solid 5 inch wide (although that is only a 4 inch wide pictured).
I have enquirers out as to the plate thickness of the 5x5x5 as I don't have a mill and wanted to match the bed thickness which is .495. The 4 inch is .454 and I am hoping an Interstate Machined 5x5x5 solid is .500. (www.Use-Enco.com # 418-4325)
If anyone has one and can give me the plate thickness, that would be great.
Once that is finalized, it is simply cutting out the same end bed shape through the angle plate.
Last is the milling of a 1/2 key stock to be bolted on as a way. Haven't thought that far ahead yet, and may have to take that to a real machine shop for precision.
Enjoy and hope this gives others some ideas.
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