9X20 Lathe Cross-slide Crank Driver - Two Versions

Note : See the attached PDF file with crank handle dimensions to see if this will work with your lathe.

This was made for use with my Central Machinery 9x20 lathe, and will likely work with many other similar import lathes.  The general idea is not original with me : Use a portable hand-held drill and some kind of adapter to rapidly advance/retract the cross slide.  This is especially useful when using the cross slide to cut tapers.

I ended up making the driver in two versions. The first version requires the addition of a threaded ¼" rod and three hex nuts.  The un-threaded end of the rod is then chucked in the drill. For the rod, I simply took a ¼-20 hex bolt 3 inches long and cut off the head. I used a threading die to add a total of 1.6" of thread (see photos).  Note the jam nut on the outside of e driver; this is necessary or the nuts will “un-thread” when running the driver in revers.

After making the first version, it occurred to me that a socket driver adapter might be an even easier version to use, so I made a second version for use with a 3/8" square socket driver (see photos). This version simply requires the addition of a drill socket driver (see photos).

Of course there are simpler ways to make this kind of device (typically with a cross-bar at the end of a rod), but this version has the advantage of “attaching” more firmly, and the plastic does not mar the crank handles.

Print Instructions

I printed both versions in PETG. These would likely work with PLA, but I generally prefer to use PETG for work-shop related items that may be subject to wear.

Use the provided 3mf or gcode files to print in PETG on a textured plate. Otherwise :

• 0.3mm layer height
• perimeters =7
• 25% rectilinear infill
• print with “drill end” down

CAD

The OnShape 3D CAD files for this are here :

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/39d988bf10a6d5579755cead/w/8b91d680e89660bcaacca258/e/53983e9441a43197b2c49053