MODEL 34018 12x18-INCH VARIABLE SPEED WOOD LATHE Instruction Manual NEED HELP? CONTACT US! Have product questions? Need technical support? Please feel free to contact us: 1-800-232-1195 (M-F 8AM-5PM CST) TECHSUPPORT@WENPRODUCTS.COM IMPORTANT: Your new tool has been engineered and manufactured to WEN’s highest standards for dependability, ease of operation, and operator safety. When properly cared for, this product will supply you years of rugged, trouble-free performance.
CONTENTS WELCOME 3 Introduction...................................................................................................... 3 Specifications.................................................................................................... 3 SAFETY 4 General Safety Rules......................................................................................... 4 Wood Lathe Safety Warnings............................................................................ 6 Electrical Information......
INTRODUCTION Thanks for purchasing the WEN Wood Lathe. We know you are excited to put your tool to work, but first, please take a moment to read through the manual. Safe operation of this tool requires that you read and understand this operator’s manual and all the labels affixed to the tool. This manual provides information regarding potential safety concerns, as well as helpful assembly and operating instructions for your tool. Indicates danger, warning, or caution.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES WARNING! Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury. Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert and knowing how your item works. The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool. SAVE THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. WORK AREA SAFETY 1. Keep work area clean and well lit.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES WARNING! Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury. Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert and knowing how your item works. The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool. SAVE THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. 7.
WOOD LATHE SAFETY WARNINGS WARNING! Do not let comfort or familiarity with the product replace strict adherence to product safety rules. Failure to follow the safety instructions may result in serious personal injury. WOOD LATHE SAFETY 1. TOOL PURPOSE. This lathe is designed for turning wood or wood-like products only. Turning other materials could result in fire, injury, or damage to the workpiece.
WOOD LATHE SAFETY WARNINGS WARNING! Do not let comfort or familiarity with the product replace strict adherence to product safety rules. Failure to follow the safety instructions may result in serious personal injury. 13. Never perform layout, assembly or set-up work on the table while the lathe is operating. 14. After turning off the lathe, wait until the centers, tailstock, and headstock come to a complete stop before touching the workpiece. 15.
ELECTRICAL INFORMATION GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS In the event of a malfunction or breakdown, grounding provides the path of least resistance for an electric current and reduces the risk of electric shock. This tool is equipped with an electric cord that has an equipment grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug MUST be plugged into a matching outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with ALL local codes and ordinances. 1. Do not modify the plug provided.
UNPACKING & PACKING LIST UNPACKING With the help of a friend or trustworthy foe, such as one of your in-laws, carefully remove the wood lathe from the packaging and place it on a sturdy, flat surface. Make sure to take out all contents and accessories. Do not discard the packaging until everything is removed. Check the packing list below to make sure you have all of the parts and accessories.
KNOW YOUR WOOD LATHE TOOL PURPOSE Lathes rotate workpieces on an axis so you can create various symmetrical profiles in wood by chiseling, sanding, and using other tools. Refer to the diagram below to become familiarized with the parts and controls of your wood lathe.
ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Do not plug in or turn on the tool until it is fully assembled according on the instructions. Failure to follow the safety instructions may result in serious personal injury. REMOVING THE ANTI-RUST GREASE The lathe bed and centers have been coated with grease to prevent them from rusting. 1. Remove the excess oil and grease by wiping it off with a clean cloth. 2. Remove any residue with a rag moistened with acetone, kerosene, or other removal agent.
ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS INSTALLING/REMOVING THE FACE PLATE 1. Mount the face plate (Fig. 4 - 3) onto the spindle by screwing it clockwise as far as it will go onto the spindle threads. Fig. 4 1 2. Insert the knockout rod (Fig. 4 - 1) into the hole to lock the spindle and use the wrench (Fig. 4 - 2) to fully tighten the face plate. 2 3 To remove the face plate, insert the knockout rod into the hole and use the wrench to loosen the face plate. INSTALLING THE SPUR CENTER 1.
ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS REMOVING THE LIVE CENTER 1. Hold the live center (Fig. 8 - 1) to prevent it from falling. Use a rag to protect your hand from the sharp edges. 2. Rotate the handwheel (Fig. 8 - 2) counterclockwise to retract the quill until the live center is released from the quill. Fig. 8 2 1 INSTALLING THE ACCESSORY HOLDER 1. Position the accessory holder (Fig. 9 - 1) below the headstock on the back of the base.
ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS TOOL REST ADJUSTMENTS You can adjust the height, position and angle of the tool rest assembly to suit your task at hand. To adjust the tool rest: Fig. 12 1. Loosen the locking lever (Fig. 12 - 1) on the tool rest base to slide the base back and forth, side to side, or to adjust its angle. Tighten the locking lever firmly before operating the lathe. 2 2. Loosen the locking handle (Fig. 12 - 2) to raise and lower the tool rest or to adjust its angle.
ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS 2. Loosen the side cover knob (Fig. 16 - 1), then pull the side cover (Fig. 16 - 2) up and rotate it out of the way to access the motor pulley. Tighten the knob. Fig. 16 3. Turn the belt tension locking handle (Fig. 17 - 2) counterclockwise and pull up on the motor plate flange (Fig. 17 - 1) to relieve tension on the drive belt. Tighten the handle. Place the drive belt between the spindle pulley and motor pulley as shown in Fig. 14 to achieve the desired speed setting.
OPERATION TURNING TOOLS If possible, select only quality high-speed steel turning tools. High-speed steel tools hold an edge and last longer than ordinary carbon steel. As one becomes proficient in turning, a variety of specialty tools for specific applications can be acquired. The following tools provide the basics for most wood-turning projects. Sharp tools must be used; do not use dull or damaged tools. 1.
OPERATION SPINDLE TURNING Spindle turning takes place between the centers of the lathe. It requires a spur center in the headstock and a live center in the tailstock. A cup center rather than a cone center in the tailstock will often reduce the risk of splitting the stock. Fig. 21 Stock for spindles should be straight grained and free of cracks, knots, nails and other defects. With a combination square, locate and mark the center on each end of the workpiece.
OPERATION CUTTING TECHNIQUES Begin with a large roughing gouge. Place the tool on the tool rest with the heel of the tool on the surface to be cut. Slowly and gently raise the tool handle until the cutting edge comes into contact with the workpiece. Beginning about 2 inches from the tailstock end of the workpiece, roll the flute of the tool (the hollowed-out portion) in the direction of the cut. Make long sweeping cuts in a continuous motion to turn the piece to a cylinder (Fig. 24).
OPERATION SANDING - Leaving clean cuts will reduce the amount of sanding required. Move the tool rest out of the way, adjusting the lathe to a low speed. Being with find sandpaper (120 grit or finer), as coarser sandpaper will leave deep scratches and dull the features of the workpiece. Progress through each grit without skipping grits (as in, don’t jump from 120 grit to 220 grit). Fold the sandpaper into a pad; do not wrap sandpaper around your fingers or the workpiece.
OPERATION TO SHAPE THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOWL (FIG. 28) Odd shaped burls, crotches and other irregular shaped blanks require special preparation before mounting in a chuck or onto a face plate. Remove the bark, if there is any from what appears to be the center of the top of the workpiece. Drive the spur center into the top of the workpiece with a mallet or a dead blow hammer. Slip the spur center into the headstock taper and bring the tailstock with a live center into position.
OPERATION Develop the preferred wall thickness at the rim and maintain it as you work deeper into the bowl (once the piece is thin toward the bottom, you cannot make it thinner at the rim). When the interior is finished, move the tool rest back to the exterior to re-define the bottom of the bowl. Work the tight area around the face plate or the chuck with a bowl gouge. Begin the separation with a parting tool, but do not cut all the way through.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE WARNING: Stop using the tool immediately if any of the following problems occur. Repairs and replacements should only be performed by an authorized technician. For any questions, please contact our customer service at (800) 232-1195, M-F 8-5 CST or email us at techsupport@ wenproducts.com. PROBLEM Motor stalls and will not start Excessive vibration. Tools tend to grab or dig in.
EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST 23
EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST 24 No. Part No. 1 3424-001 2 3424-002 3 3424-003 4 5 34018-004 34018-005 6 34018-006 7 34018-007 8 34018-008 9 34018-009 10 34018-010 11 12 13 14 3424-006 3424-007 3424-008 34018-014 15 3424-010 16 17 18 19 20 21 34018-016 34018-017 34018-018 34018-019 34018-020 34018-021 22 34018-022 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 3427-067 34018-024 3424-012 3424-013 3424-014 3424-015 3424-016 3424-017 Description Qty.
EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST No. 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 80.1 80.2 80.3 80.4 80.5 80.6 80.7 80.8 80.9 80.10 Part No. 34018-062 34018-063 Description Qty.
WARRANTY STATEMENT WEN Products is committed to building tools that are dependable for years. Our warranties are consistent with this commitment and our dedication to quality. LIMITED WARRANTY OF WEN PRODUCTS FOR HOME USE GREAT LAKES TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (“Seller”) warrants to the original purchaser only, that all WEN consumer power tools will be free from defects in material or workmanship during personal use for a period of two (2) years used for professional or commercial use.
NOTES 27
THANKS FOR REMEMBERING V. 2020.02.