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How to Operate a Cobra Comm Lathe

Remote control (RC) boat, car, plane and helicopter enthusiasts today have the option of either buying pre-built RC vehicles or purchasing kits that allow them to assemble and modify their own RC vehicles. One necessary part of assembling and modding your own RC vehicle is grinding the brass output shaft down to size so it will fit the gears of the vehicle. The Cobra Commutator lathe is designed specifically for this purpose.

Things You'll Need

Wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Use a wrench to loosen the drive motor bolts and then slip the drive belt over the drive motor pulleys. Push down on the motor to increase belt tension and then tighten the drive motor bolts in place.
- 2
  Move the hand wheel so the cutting edge is flush to the right of the communicator housing.
- 3
  Set the positive carriage stop by adjusting the stop screw with a screwdriver.
- 4
  Connect the lathe to the 5-volt power supply and turn it on.
- 5
  Run the cutting edge along the end of the output shaft until the shaft is cut to the desired length.

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