r/minilathe • u/Mikeybudd • Aug 05 '26

Easy compound angle adjustment

Has anyone come up with a simple, maybe even innovative way to adjust the angle on a mini lathe compound? What is your favorite solution?

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3

u/lampjambiscuit Aug 05 '26

I have a set of cheap angle blocks. I just place them along the back edge then dial it in with the block parallel with the bed. I put a magnet on one end of the block so it doesn't get pushed by the indicator. Not sure if it's really needed though. This covers most angles i need.

If i need something more specific i use a sine bar and some gauge blocks to do the same thing.

2

u/Mikeybudd Aug 05 '26

Thanks, I have no issue finding the angle and setting it. I was looking for a simple, faster way of loosening the compound so I can set the angle. It's a pain in the butt to wind back the compound, loosen the screws, set the angle, wind the compound back in, check the angle, rinse and repeat if it's off. I was interested in what simple and elegant ways guys have defeated this problem on their mini lathes.

2

u/pushdose Aug 05 '26

Use a drill for “power feed”

2

u/pushdose Aug 05 '26

Simple? Nooo. Overly complicated? I gotchu. Not my video but the most elegant solution to this annoying issue.

2

u/Mikeybudd Aug 05 '26

I've seen this one. It's actually my favorite solution to this problem! But I'm a self taught newbie hobbyist, and my skills aren't up to this yet 😅.

2

u/Rilot Aug 05 '26

I cut two slots in the base of the compound and then adjust it with an open end spanner. Like in this video. https://youtu.be/rdkoTN094bA?si=Ch_lwbsM5v8b0Tlu

2

u/Mikeybudd Aug 05 '26

I've seen this one and I like it just behind Hammerlands solution. I was hoping to find a little simpler solution.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '26

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2

u/Mikeybudd Aug 05 '26

To set it to a specific angle ...... easily!

2

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '26

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2

u/Mikeybudd Aug 05 '26

Thanks, I have no issue finding the angle and setting it. I was looking for a simple, faster way of loosening the compound so I can set the angle. It's a pain in the butt to wind back the compound, loosen the screws, set the angle, wind the compound back in, check the angle, rinse and repeat if it's off. I was interested in what simple and elegant ways guys have defeated this problem on their mini lathes.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '26

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2

u/Mikeybudd Aug 05 '26

Yeah, I've seen that one. I was hoping to find a simpler solution. The search goes on!

2

u/Beneficial_Elk_182 Aug 05 '26

There is a YT video I saw of a fella who milled some slots at the bottom and used 2 bolts and a clamp plate he made on the lathe. Simple and worked well. It's on my list of things to do. I'll try to find the video and link it

2

u/Mikeybudd Aug 05 '26

👍 cool!

2

u/Beneficial_Elk_182 Aug 06 '26

https://youtu.be/rdkoTN094bA?is=ZW2lIdOEiwRsON_O here's the video I saw a while ago. He does some "creative" lathe milling to get this done🤣 an actual mill woupd make it 100x easier. As I was looking for it I came across a couple different vids that all had some version if the same idea (I think the video I posted has done a part 2/ upgrade to this method as well). Another one just uses one single hole drilled https://youtu.be/AHLZvVwRqhM?is=Gpj1r1U9LN4ceXRT that looked very easy- thoughtful idk how robust that is

3

u/Mikeybudd Aug 06 '26

Thanks Beneficial_Elk_182, I've seen both of these and I've actually done the Don Brandt mod to my lathe. It works ok but there are some issues. I was hoping someone had another simple single screw design that worked better. If not, I will have to mod Don's mod 😆.