How to Set Up a Watchmaker's Lathe

Place a wooden table in a horizontal position. Measure 12 inches from the left edge of the table. Measure the width of the table and divide the measurement in half. Measure the corresponding distance from the back edge of the table. Mark the area where the two measurements intersect.

Select a drill bit that is the same size as the base bolt. Mount the drill bit and drill a hole through the table at the marking. Unscrew the bolt washer from the bottom of the base. Slide the base bolt through the drilled hole. Reach under the table and tighten a washer and nut onto the bolt to hold the base in place.

Position the bed of the lathe on top of the base so that the base bolt matches up with the bolt outlet on the bed. Twist the bed on the bolt until the bed is firmly seated on the bolt and the bed is parallel with the wooden table.

Pick up the small bolt. Turn the bolt upside down and slide the head of the bolt into the channel on the top left edge of the bed. Ensure that the hole in the bolt is lined up with the length of the lathe. Slide the bolt over so that it is aligned with the base bolt. Center the U-shaped frame over the bolt and slide it into place against the top of the bed. Slide an eccentric into the bottom hole on the left edge of the frame. Attach a lever to the eccentric. The eccentric will thread through the hole in the bolt positioned through the frame.

Lay out the following parts in order starting at the left: d Draw-in spindle wheel, draw-in spindle, loose bearing, rear outside shield, rear bushing, rear inside shield, pulley screw, pulley, pulley hub, front inside shield, front bushing, front outside shield and headstock spindle. Assemble all of the pieces together to form one complete unit. Position the piece over the frame so the rear bushing and front bushing rest on top of the left and right edge of the frame, respectively. Slide the index pin in the hole in the top hole on the left edge of the frame. The index pin will slide through all components of Step 4 until it reaches the rear inside shield.

Slide the shoe bolt into the hole located near the middle of the bed. Slide the bolt washer on the bottom of the bolt and tighten the bolt nut onto the bolt to secure the shoe bolt into place. Place the shoe on top of the bolt. Place pivot screws on the right and left side of the shoe.

Place the slide on top of the shoe and secure it into place by sliding a bolt pin into the channel on the front. Attach the post to the top of the slide and a level to the right edge of the post. Secure the T graver rest to the top of the post.

Pick up the remaining bolt. Turn the bolt upside down and slide the head of the bolt into the channel on the top right edge of the bed. Ensure that the hole in the bolt is lined up with the length of the lathe. Slide the bolt over so it is the same distance from the edge as the frame bolt. Center the i-shaped frame over the bolt and slide it into place against the top of the bed. Slide an eccentric into the hole on the right edge of the frame. Attach a lever to the eccentric. The eccentric will thread through the hole in the bolt positioned through the frame.

Lay out the following parts in order starting at the right: spindle button, spindle binder, spindle, pointed center. Slide the spindle button into the right end of the spindle binder. Attach the spindle and pointed center to the left end of the spindle binder.