Assembly for converting a drill press into a wood lathe

The present invention relates to a new and improved modification for converting a drill press into a wood lathe. Further, the present invention relates to an adaption kit for the modification of a conventional drill press into a general-purpose wood lathe. A drill press is modified for use as a wood lathe useful for shaping wood stock with a shaping tool. A driving spur is affixed to the chuck of the drill press for engaging one end of the wood stock. An adapter plate is affixed to the platform of the drill press. A tailstock is removably attached to the adapter plate for engagement of the opposite end of the wood stock. A tool rest is affixed to the adapter plate for use with a shaping tool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a new and improved modification for 
converting a drill press into a wood lathe. Further, the present invention 
relates to the adaption kit for the modification of a conventional drill 
press into a general-purpose wood lathe. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
General-purpose wood lathes are rather simple machines in which the primary 
components include a frame, a spindle mounted on the frame for relatively 
high-velocity rotation, a tool rest adjustably mounted on the frame in 
operating relationship with the axis of rotation of the spindle, and a 
tailstock for supporting the end of the work piece opposite from the end 
engaged by the spindle. In turning long slender pieces (such as table 
legs), the work piece is held between a center mounted in the tailstock 
and the driving center mounted in the spindle. The cutting action is 
performed by manually-held shaping tools supported by the tool rest, which 
is in close proximity to the wood piece being rotated. The general design 
and form of this type of machine is very old, but its utility has not 
diminished over time. 
Because of its universal use and inevitable presence in many home 
workshops, several attempts have been made to adapt an existing drill 
press into a general purpose wood lathe when occasional carving is 
desired. Thus, it has been recognized that the drill press represents not 
only a machine in its own right, but also a possible source of power and 
control for operational use outside its intended design. The power head of 
the drill press can itself be used as a head stock, or confined to use as 
a source of power. This potential adaptability, combined with the fact it 
is typically impractical from an economic perspective to purchase a 
general purpose wood lathe for the purpose of occasional wood carving, has 
given rise to significant demand for the adaptation of the drill press for 
occasional use as a wood lathe. 
Attempts to adapt the drill press for use as a wood lathe have generally 
included devices which are costly and overly complex. For example, U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,709,622 (1973) to Morse (the '622 reference) discloses a rather 
complex assembly for adaptation of a drill press into a wood lathe which 
has the tailstock connected by a bar to the lathe headstock. This device 
requires significant assembly time and is more desirable in an industrial 
setting. There is, therefore, a need for an adaption assembly that is 
simple, has minimal assembly time, and remains low in cost. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,834 (1974) also to Morse (the '834 reference) teaches 
the mounting of a device onto a drill press when the drill press is in a 
horizontal position. However, not all drill presses available are designed 
to be rotated into a horizontal position. Thus, there is a need for an 
adaption assembly capable of use on a drill press when in either a 
horizontal or a vertical position. In addition, the drill press disclosed 
in the '834 reference is mounted on a work table. Since many owners of 
small drill presses operate the machines out of their own homes, there is 
not always space or even the need for a separate work table to mount the 
drill press on. Therefore, there is a need for an adaption assembly that 
does not require a separate work table to mount the drill press on. 
In addition to attempts to adapt existing machines such as drill presses 
into machines of alternative uses, there have also been attempts in the 
prior art to manufacture machines capable of performing multiple 
functions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,135 (1996) to Beth et al (the 
'135 reference) discloses a machine manufactured to perform various 
functions such as drilling and routing. However, machines such as the 
device disclosed in the '135 reference are generally complex and thus cost 
prohibitive for the occasional operator. Again, there is a need for an 
adaption assembly that enables a drill press to perform functions of a 
wood lathe that is simple and low in cost. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a new and improved modification for 
converting a drill press into a wood lathe. Further, the present invention 
relates to an adaption kit for the modification of a conventional drill 
press into a general-purpose wood lathe. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a drill press is 
modified for use as a wood lathe useful for shaping wood stock with a 
shaping tool. The wood stock is typically an elongated piece of wood. The 
modified drill press has a column with a base end mounted to a support and 
a free end for receiving the drill power head. The main components of the 
power head are the power source, or motor, and the spindle affixed to the 
powerhead. The spindle is forced into a relatively high velocity rotation 
by the power source. A chuck is affixed to the spindle to removably 
receive a driving spur. The driving spur engages one end of the wood 
stock. A platform is attached to the column, with the column adjustable 
along the longitudinal axis of the column to vary the distance between the 
platform and the chuck. An adapter plate is affixed to the platform. One 
end of the tool rest is attached to the adapter plate and the opposite end 
is used to rest and manipulate the shaping tool. A tailstock is removably 
attached to the adapter plate. The engagement end of the tailstock is for 
engaging the opposite end of the wood stock. 
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an adapter 
kit for converting a drill press into a wood lathe for shaping wood stock. 
The drill press having a column with a power source mounted on the column 
for rotatably driving a spindle. Affixed to the spindle is a chuck for 
removably receiving working tools. Attached to the column is a platform 
adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the column to vary the distance 
between the platform and the chuck. The adapter kit is first comprised of 
a driving spur removably received by the chuck. The driving spur engages 
an end of the wood stock. The adapter kit further comprises an adapter 
plate affixed to the platform. A tool rest is affixed to the adapter plate 
for resting and manipulating the shaping tool. Also affixed to the adapter 
plate is a tailstock for engaging the opposite end of the wood stock. 
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of using 
an adapter kit for modifying a drill press for use as a wood lathe is 
provided. The drill press is comprised of a column, a power source mounted 
to the column, a spindle rotatably driven by the power source along an 
axis parallel to the column, a chuck affixed to the spindle, and a 
platform attached to the column. The platform is adjustable along the 
longitudinal axis of the column to vary the distance between the platform 
and the chuck. The adapter kit is first comprised of a driving spur 
removably received by the chuck for engaging the wood stock. The adapter 
kit further comprises an adapter plate, a tailstock, and a tool rest. The 
method comprises the steps of securing the adapter plate to the platform, 
affixing the tailstock to the adapter plate, affixing the driving spur to 
the chuck, and attaching the tool rest to the adapter plate. 
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a 
modification of a drill press for use as a wood lathe that is simple, 
requires minimal assembly time and is low in cost. Further, it is a 
feature of the present invention that the modification is available for 
drill presses in both vertical and horizontal positions. Still further, it 
is a feature of the present invention that the modified drill press does 
not require a separate work table. 
Other objects, and the advantages, of the present invention will be made 
clear to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of 
the preferred embodiments constructed in accordance with the teachings of 
the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of 
example and not by way of limitation. The drill press 100 shown in FIGS. 1 
and 2 includes a power head 110 mounted on a column 120. The power head 
110 is comprised of a casing 114 which houses a motor 144 and the drill 
components, indicated generally as numeral 150. The drill components 150 
include the spindle 152, the chuck 154, and the adjustment handle 158. The 
motor 144 forces the spindle 152 into relatively high velocity rotation 
about an axis parallel with the column 120. The chuck 154 is affixed to 
the spindle 152 to removably receive working tools such that rotation of 
the spindle 152 forces rotation of the attached working tools. In typical 
drill press operation, the working tools attached to the spindle 152 by 
the chuck 154 are variously sized and shaped drill bits. Rotation of the 
spindle 152 causes rotation of the drill bits. The adjustment handle 158 
is used to raise or lower the spindle 152 in a direction parallel with the 
longitudinal axis of the column 120. In the present invention, the 
adjustment handle 158 helps to accommodate different lengths of wood stock 
300. Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 
power head 110 is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the column 
120. 
Also affixed to the drill press 100 is an adjustable platform 130. The 
adjustable platform 130 is affixed to the column 120 by securing device 
134. One skilled in the art will recognize that the securing device 134 
can be any number of mechanisms such as clamps, securing bolts, slotted 
connections, or welded connections that enable the platform 130 to be 
affixed to the column 120. In a preferred embodiment of the present 
invention, the securing device 134 resembles a clamp that is adjustably 
mounted on the column 120. By the use of adjustment knob 132, the clamp 
134, and consequently the platform 130, can be adjusted along the 
longitudinal axis of the column 120. Raising or lowering the platform 130 
enables adjustment of the distance between the platform 210 and the chuck 
154, indicated as D1 on FIG. 1. The adjustment of the platform 130 and the 
adjustment of the spindle 152 enable the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention to accommodate a wide range of sizes of wood stock 300. 
It should be noted, however, that one skilled in the art will recognize 
that it is not necessary that both the spindle 152 and the platform 130 be 
adjustable. Having only one or the other adjustable does not limit the 
functionality of the present invention, but rather limits the range of 
wood stock 300 that can be accommodated. 
Opposite the power head 110, the column 120 is secured to a base 140. The 
base 140 provides stability to the drill press 100 and the modification 
parts. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the base 140 is 
a workbench to which the column 120 is affixed. However, one skilled in 
the art will recognize that the ground, or a plate mounted to the ground 
or workbench are also suitable for use as the base 140 of the drill press 
100. 
FIG. 2 shows the drill press 100 modified into a wood lathe by the adapter 
kit 200. In the present invention, the working tool that makes up the part 
of the adapter kit 200 that is removably received by the chuck 154 is a 
driving spur 156. Referring to FIG. 7, the neck 156a of the driving spur 
156 is received by the chuck 154. The neck 156a is sized and shaped to 
enable engagement by a conventional chuck 154. In the preferred embodiment 
of the present invention, the opposite end 156b of the driving spur 156 is 
a conical point 156b. The conical point 156b of the driving spur 156 
engages one end of the wood stock 300 such that as the spindle 152 
rotates, the driving spur 156 forces the wood stock 300 into rotation. One 
skilled in the art will recognize that the top point 156b of the driving 
spur 156 does not have to be of conical shape. All that is necessary is 
that the top point 156 be able to engage the wood stock 300. 
Referring back to FIG. 2, the adapter kit 200 is further comprised of an 
adapter plate 210, a tool rest 220, and a tailstock 230. The adapter plate 
210 is shown in a top plan view in FIG. 3. The adapter plate 210 is 
secured to the platform 130 by platform securing devices 218. In a 
preferred embodiment, the securing devices 218 are located at opposite 
corners of the adapter plate 210. However, one skilled in the art will 
recognize that there are a multiplicity of ways in which to secure the 
adapter plate 210 to the platform 130. For example, it is not necessary 
that there be two securing devices 218, there can be only one or a 
multiplicity of securing devices. Further, if desired to permanently affix 
the plate 210 to the platform 130, welding the two together removes the 
need for the securing devices 218. It should also be noted that in an 
embodiment where there is no platform 130, the plate 210 is affixed to the 
workbench or other means acting as the base 140. 
In the center of the adapter plate 210 is a tailstock insertion location 
212 for engaging the tailstock 230. The tailstock 230, as shown in FIG. 5, 
has a conical point 232 and a securing portion 234. In a preferred 
embodiment of the present invention, the tailstock insertion location 212 
is a threaded hole and the securing portion 234 of the tailstock 230 is 
also threaded. The threaded portion 234 of the tailstock 230 engages the 
tailstock insertion location 212. However, one skilled in the art will 
recognize that there are a number of ways in which to attach the tailstock 
230 to the adapter plate 210. For example, rather than are movable 
threaded connection, the tailstock 210 could be permanently affixed to the 
plate 210 by welding the two together. Further, it should be noted that 
the tailstock insertion location 212 does not have to be in the center of 
the adapter plate 210. One skilled in the art will recognize that it is 
only necessary that the centerline of the tailstock insertion location 212 
be along the same line of axis as the spindle 152. 
In another preferred embodiment, the insertion location 212 is a threaded 
hole which coincides with a threaded hole in the platform 130. Again, if 
there is no platform, the insertion location 212 coincides with a threaded 
hole in the means forming the base 140. As shown in FIG. 2, the base of 
the tailstock 230 in the preferred embodiment, protrudes through the 
bottom of the platform 130. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the base 
of the tailstock 230 has a handle 236 (shown in FIG. 5) which is removably 
affixed to the base of the tailstock 230 below the platform 130. The 
handle 236 is used to rotate the tailstock 230 within the threaded hole 
212 to enable adjustment to the height at which the tailstock 230 
protrudes from the top of the plate 210. The handle can be any number of 
devices such as a cotter pin. The ability to adjust the height at which 
the tailstock 230 protrudes from the top of the plate 210 enables final 
adjustment to accommodate different length wood stock 300 without having 
to adjust the height of the platform 130 or having to lower the spindle 
152. 
The conical point 232 of the tailstock 230 is for engagement with the wood 
stock 300. The conical point 232 is located along the line of axis of the 
spindle 152. The conical point 232 engages the center of the wood stock 
300 on the end opposite that which is engaged by the driving spur 156. It 
should be noted that although the tailstock 230 in a preferred embodiment 
of the present invention has a conical point 232, the present invention is 
not limited to conical points. The point on the tailstock can be any shape 
or size as long as the point engages the wood stock 300 without 
restricting its rotation. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the adapter plate 210 has various tool rest insertion 
locations, indicated generally by the numeral 214. The tool rest insertion 
locations 214 are used for mounting the tool rest 220. The insertion 
locations 214 are placed at various distances from the center of the 
tailstock 230 in order to accommodate various sizes and shapes of wood 
stock 300. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, there are four variable 
distance insertion locations 214. However, one skilled in the art will 
recognize that there can be any number of insertion locations 214 and the 
insertion locations can be located anywhere on the adapter plate 210. An 
alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 6 shows the insertion locations 
comprised of a single slot 216 which can accommodate a wide range of 
positions of the tool rest 220. One skilled in the art will recognize that 
a multiple slot adapter plate 210 can also be used to accommodate a still 
wider range of tool rest 220 locations. 
The tool rest 220, shown in FIG. 4, consists of an engagement end 222 and a 
tool end 224. The tool rest 220 can be inserted into and secured within 
any of the tool rest insertion locations 214 shown in FIG. 3 or slot 216 
in FIG. 6. In the preferred embodiment, the engagement end 222 of the tool 
rest 220 is threaded and is secured to the adapter plate 210 by the tool 
rest stop nut 226. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that 
using a stop nut 226 is only one of many ways in which to secure the tool 
rest 220 to the adapter plate 210. For example, the tool rest 220 can be 
secured to the adapter plate 210 by means such as clamps, pins, fasteners, 
etc. Further, although the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the tool 
rest 220 extending through both the adapter plate 210 and the platform 
130, one skilled in the art will recognize that the tool rest 220 affixed 
only to the adapter plate 210 or only to the platform 130. It is not 
necessary that the tool rest 220 interact with both the platform 130 and 
the adapter plate 210. The tool end 224 provides a rest for a shaping tool 
300 (shown in FIG. 8). The tool end 224 provides stability to the shaping 
without inhibiting maneuverability of the shaping tool 300 while in use. 
Referring to FIG. 8, a preferred embodiment of a shaping tool 300 is 
shown. The shaping tool 300 is comprised of a handle 310 and a blade 320. 
One skilled in the art will recognize that the shaping tool 300 can have 
any number of embodiments depending upon the desired use. The shaping tool 
300 shown in FIG. 8 is simply illustrative of one type of shaping tool 
300. Further, referring back to FIG. 4, in the preferred embodiment, the 
tool rest 220 is a steel bar. However, one skilled in the art will 
recognize that other shapes and configurations will work equally as well. 
One alternative embodiment would be a bar with a hole in the center 
through which the tool would be inserted. Alternatively, the top of the 
bar could have a clasp to hold the tool. Thus, the tool rest 220 of the 
present invention need only provide stability and maneuverability for the 
tool. 
Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred manner in which the drill 
press 100 is modified will be described. To begin, the adapter plate 210 
is secured to the platform 130 by use of securing devices 218. As 
described above, in the absence of a platform 130 on the drill press 100, 
the adapter plate 210 is secured to the work bench or other means acting 
as a base 140 for column 120. Next, the tailstock 230 is secured to the 
tailstock insertion point 212 in the adapter plate 210. In the preferred 
embodiment, the tailstock 230 threadably engages the tailstock insertion 
point 212. The driving spur 156 is then affixed to the chuck 154 attached 
to the spindle 152. 
Once the adapter assembly is installed, the wood stock 300 is placed in 
between the driving spur 156 and the tailstock 230. In order to securely 
engage the wood stock 300, the driving spur 156 is raised or lowered by 
rotating the adjustment handle 158 and the platform 130 is raised or 
lowered by rotating the adjustment knob 132. Final adjustments can be made 
by raising or lowering the conical point 232 of the tailstock 230 by 
rotating the handle 236. While the wood stock 300 is engaged between the 
driving spur 156 and the tailstock 230, the tool rest 220 is affixed to 
the adapter plate 210 in one of the tool rest insertion locations 214. The 
tool rest 220 location is dependent upon the size and shape of the wood 
stock used. Further, the tool rest 220 location is dependent upon the type 
of shaping or cutting being performed. Once the tool rest 220 is affixed 
to the chosen tool rest insertion location 214 by the tool rest stop nut 
226, the drill is turned on. The motor 114 of the drill press 100 rotates 
the spindle 152, driving spur 154, and consequently the wood stock 300. 
While the wood stock 300 is being rotated by the drill press, a shaping 
tool is placed on the tool rest 220. The tool rest 220 provides stability 
and maneuverability to the tool for cutting or shaping of the wood stock 
300 as it rotates. 
Although described in terms of the preferred embodiments shown in the 
figures, those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure 
will recognize that changes can be made to the individual component parts 
thereof which do not change the manner in which those components function 
to achieve their intended result. As discussed above, changes such as the 
existence or nonexistence of a platform, the shape of the tool rest, the 
shape of the tailstock, and the methods of securing individual components 
are changes that are intended to fall within the scope of the following 
non-limiting claims.