Hey all - I had an idea today at the shop that might be useful to some of you. I've been recognizing for a while that something like this might have a place but it hit me today that it could come together with what I had right around me, no need to make an extra station in the shop.
I've been doing a lot of NE work and have been sanding with the angle drill on the lathe, using my indexing pin to lock the spindle and access the wings. Lots of time bent sideways to do the work has been making me unhappy about spending so much time in the same stance. Sometimes when the piece comes off the machine I'll do the last bit holding the work or nesting it in an old T-shirt, however I highly prefer to keep two hands on the drill for stability and wrist comfort.
So, the trick - I took my reverse chucking alignment adaptor (although a threaded pipe would also work) and dropped it right in the banjo, and put my chuck with the piece onto it. It's a super quick change over, easy and natural to go to the tool rest tensioner to spin the piece.
Downside - this setup is a little high for me. I would be happier if it was about navel level. Also the dust remains in the bottom of the piece and need to be blown out.
One other thing PM owners might notice about these photos - no bulky name plate to dig into your thigh. You can thank me later.
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