Spiral cutting B2 & C3

More correctly called a Helix but we will stay with Pittlers definition as per the catalogues and cutting charts.

Both the C3 & B2 are able to perform spiral cutting with additional equipment. A tailstock drive mechanism is required here and it was usually included with the C3 but not the B2. Cutting spirals requires the leadscrew to be driven via the tailstock end of the lathe, the power then passing up through the reversing box and onto the mandrel. The chuck will turn very slowly, dependent on the worm and wheel used. It's most important that the headstock pulley is free to turn so the drive belt for this must be slackened off or temporarily removed.

Also required is an overhead drive of some description, not only to power the leadscrew but also to power a milling cutter. A video of this running can be seen here

A view showing the various belts running when spiral cutting. just barely visible at the far left is the drive from the motor to the overhead shaft, the green flat belt is slackened off. A short round belt then runs across to the pulleys directly over the milling head. From there a belt goes down to the milling pulley. On the far right is another belt which powers the tailstock drive. 4 belts running using 7 pulleys are used in total.

Another angle looking towards the tailstock, the milling head can fit on either the top or side of the toolblock.

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