I was wondering if anyone makes a bed extension for the smaller,more portable mini lathes(the ones with 12" or so between centers) like the Penn State Turncrafter Plus and similar sized models?

If not,has anyone here ever made their own for little lathes like these?

Thanks,
Tony

Generally if such a thing were available it would be offered by the same people offering the small lathes. If they don't show them, it's unlikely that they're available.

...............

Tony,
Several different manufacturers make extensions for their own lathes.
Other manufacturers don't have extensions for their lathes.

However, if you do some measuring and testing, you may find that one of the other manufacturers extensions may either fit your lathe as is, or with some modification.

Good luck
Roger

p.s.
Another thing that does work is to go into the parts list for your lathe and purchase an additional lathe bed. most of the lathe beds have 90 degree ends on the beds, and thus, if the added lathe bed were reversed, it will normally be perfectly aligned with the original bed. Then, the only thing that is required is the addition of drilling holes if not present and connection bolts between the lathe beds.

Tony, I bought a PSI Tunrcrafter midi lathe and bought the bed extension as well. If you contact Jet, Delta, or Rikon, they should be able to tell you if they have a bed extension for their midi or mini lathes. I have heard the the PSI, Jet, and Delta lathes are all manufactured by the same factory in China. If this is true, the PSI bed extension might fit the Jet and Delta as well.

Because I do longer grips from wood, I find the bed extension useful when boring these longer wood pieces. Good luck.

Mike Blomme

Thanks everyone.