When the first kit builder has finished the hull, and is happy that the painstaking process of planking the finally over, he runs into the next painstaking job of tapering all the masts and yards.

However if u happen to own a Proxxon Micro Lathe, tapering dowels is no more work or difficult than replacing the grid on the sanding block.

This is a low end lathe from Proxxon and is specially designed for wood turning. Were a high end lathe would cost over E1000, this lathe only costs E150.

Here is a picture of the lathe
http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/535/60Pl1.JPG

The lathe is of high quality, the main switch and the speed controller are dust free. The switch is even protected with a plastic protector.

The rod can be inserted through the motor house, this also makes it possible to process long rods.

Here is a picture of the motor house, notice the hole and the main switch
http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/535/60Pl2.JPG

The lathe comes with several attachments, so u can process rods of any diameter.
To make yards or masts i make the rod turn very fast, then i use a sanding block and cruise it along the rod to taper it.

The hole in the motor house helps in making yards, wich need to be tapered on both sides. After tapering one side of the yard, simply turn it around and put half of it in the motorhouse.

Making a yard or mast takes about 15 minutes, depending on the amount of tapering needed and the grid used.

Here a picture of the working area
http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/data/535/60Pl3.JPG

The lathe is easily serviceable, and can be taken apart to replace a certain part might is ever get broken. The Lathe is made of industrial plastic and the working area is made of alu. The whole machine can be used standalone or can be attached to the working area of choosing.

If u have the money to spare and are tired of sanding yard by hand this is the tool to buy. It might not be the cheapest lathe around, but because of it's high quality and prooven manufacturer, you can probaly use it the rest of your life.

Here is a link to a page containing more info
http://www.morrisandgreen.com/store_proxxon.html

I have an old Unimat, but it's not the same machine as it was back in the 60's. I've been considering the Proxxon as a replacement. They make a line of other good tools too.
PS; [RG] C++, maybe you could add Morris and Green to our Links Directory: Modeling Tools (http://shipmodeling.net/vb_forum/links/browselinks.php?c=13)

Hi C++,

I like the robust version of this lathe, PD230 for turning metal. I wonder if it still has the feature of turning longer stock and also a copying tool. Which would come in handy when turning cannon.

Dave

Lol, that machine is E1000. I don't know if you can feed rods through the motor hole on this machine. Most of the big conventional lathe's have this option, but the PD230 is a advanced machine for turning metal.

This PD230 is also CnC prepared, so u can control the lathe using a computer. Doing so and you can draw the gun in AutoCAD and "print" it using the lathe. Ensuring that each gun that is turned is equal to the previous one.

My personal opinion is that the PD230 is a little overkill for what you need. Why not buy guns in the hobby shop? The much cheaper lathe can cover everything also.