Wood Lathe Copier Duplicator Device Copying Duplicating

Shipping was Amazon fast and free. Vendor shipped on the day I ordered it. Mounting and support construction seems heavy enough, gear box has excessive clearance although still functional. Requires buyer to fabricate mounting spacers for his/her lathe. Not a big issue but extra work. Don't expect detailed setup and operating instructions, there are none. What you will receive is a short write up describing assembling the unit and a paragraph or two on "The Theory of Operation" which is useless when it comes to setting up the machine. While the setup and operation isn't rocket science it does require more than a little thought and some frustration that with a decent setup and operating manual would be eliminated. However the assembly diagram is without doubt the absolute worst I have seen in my 70 year lifetime. The exploded diagram is a highly unreadable, highly pixelated print that is just plain terrible and unreadable, looks like an afterthought.

This piece was solidly enough made -- and worked acceptably (once I got it assembled and attached to my lather) -- but came only partially assembled. This would have been fine had the instructions for assembly been clearer (and more readable -- the print was exceedingly small and unfocussed). I figured out how to assemble it, but the average person would probably not have taken the time necessary to do so.Also, I am still looking for the parts that attach it to the lathe. I took a day making my own attachment jig, which only works for the particular baluster I was copying. Any other baluster than the this and I will need to re-fashion my attachment jig. In other words, any adjustability it should have had is rendered unavailable. Were I doing a lot of different balusters (or a big lot of any other turnings) this would be a very limited piece. So, to call it 'universal' -- given the parts I received with it -- seems a misrepresentation.

it is really a good copier once you figure out how to adapte it to a midi lathe, mine being a NOVA Comet

you get what you pay for sometimes, it is not worth teh box it came in. if I could rate negative stars I would!

Others rating this device have had bad results, but all I can say is that it is worth exactly what you pay for.It is only designed for light cuts, and the cutter bit could do with some resharpening to get a more positive rake. The cutting tool is pointed, but the tracer finger is rounded, so the tool must be cut to match the tracer finger for the most accurate results.I am using this to recreate some Victorian era porch spindles with good results but I would not use this item to create finished furniture posts, as there is some play in the design that can make steps in your turning when stopping or reversing direction.I was not able to clamp the supports directly to my lathe, as there is not enough space below my lathe frame for the supports. I clamped the supports to the lathe table. The copier has good adjustability but so-so rigidity.

I bought two of these duplicators and while they are not the highest quality on the market they are a decent value for the money. They work well and you can remove the wheel and with a few mods attach a reversible electric drill and move up and down your turning very quickly. Save a lot of hand cranking! Will also fit a mini-lathe with some adjustments.

After receiving duplicator copier machine discovered that it will not work on a shop smith, parts on hand steady were missing.Very disappointed in product.

If you want one of these you don't have many options at a low price. This is ok for roughing out the shape. Don't expect too much from it and you will be happy.