Taig Lathe


I bought this lathe dis-assembled from Nick Carter via the Internet. This proved to be the most economical way to buy it even though it was available locally (Ottawa, Canada) It was bought to produce miniature cannons and fittings for a frigate ship model 'Jylland'. Various changes and additions were made to allow indexed drilling and an accurate, controllable carriage feed.

This proved to be so enjoyable that I then produced two Stirling engines (all turning and milling done on the Taig). Nick Carter has a number of links to Taig users, and I found a wealth of ideas and suggestions as well as excellent craftsmanship on many of the sites. The changes I made are not as aesthetically eye-pleasing as some, but they work well.


Taig lathe mounted on blocks to suit my preferred
working height, swarf pan added and various other modifications

4-step sheave adapted to Taig to suit
'universal' drive motor mounted inside work bench. Tailstock lever extension made from old nut driver

Lead screw (1/4-20 UNC), engaged split nut and
locking lever. Face of carriage milled flat and square

Split nut disengaged.
Link and compression spring barely visible

Shop made steel knobs on tailstock. Leadscrew bearing assembly mounted under lathe bed

Aluminum leadscrew knob and steel index bracket. 1 revolution = 0.050" travel

Steel carriage locking knob. Small diameter to allow cross slide travel. Note depth stop moved to rear of headstock

Index plate made with Dividing Head; 'barrel bolt' style locking pin mounted on headstock

15:1 speed reducer to get reasonable sfpm on larger diameters of stock

Note turnbuckle tensioner.

Motor under bench has pivot mount so tension is supplied by it's own weight

Another view showing a work-piece in the 4-jaw chuck


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