Keep this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning
procedures. Write the product’s serial
number in the back of the manual near the
assembly diagram (or month and year of
purchase if product has no number). Keep
this manual and the receipt in a safe and
dry place for future reference.
NOTICE is used to
address practices
not related to personal injury.
CAUTION, without
the safety alert
symbol, is used to address
practices not related to
personal injury.
General Power Tool Safety
Warnings
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION
In this manual, on the labeling,
and all other information
provided with this product:
This is the safety alert
symbol. It is used to alert
you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all
safety messages that
follow this symbol to avoid
possible injury or death.
DANGER indicates
a hazardous
situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING
indicates a
hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
CAUTION, used
with the safety
alert symbol, indicates a
hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in
minor or moderate injury.
WARNING Read all safety
warnings and instructions.
Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric
shock, re and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and
instructions for future reference.
The term ″power tool″ in the
warnings refers to your mains-
operated (corded) power tool.
Work area safety1.
Keep work area clean and well lit. a.
Cluttered or dark areas invite acci-
dents.
Do not operate power tools in b.
explosive atmospheres, such as in
the presence of ammable liquids,
gases or dust. Power tools create
sparks which may ignite the dust or
fumes.
Keep children and bystanders c.
away while operating a power tool.
Distractions can cause you to lose
control.
Electrical safety2.
Power tool plugs must match the a.
outlet. Never modify the plug in
any way. Do not use any adapter
plugs with grounded power tools.
tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are
dangerous in the hands of untrained
users.
Use a brush or compressed air to 3.
remove metal shavings; never your
hands. The metal shavings will be
sharp.
Maintain power tools. Check for e.
misalignment or binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts and any
other condition that may affect the
power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired
before use. Many accidents are
caused by poorly maintained power
tools.
Keep cutting tools sharp and f.
clean. Properly maintained cutting
tools with sharp cutting edges are
less likely to bind and are easier to
control.
Use the power tool, accessories g.
and tool bits etc. in accordance
with these instructions, taking into
account the working conditions
and the work to be performed. Use
of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result
in a hazardous situation.
Service5.
Have your power tool serviced by a.
a qualied repair person using
only identical replacement parts.
This will ensure that the safety of the
power tool is maintained.
Lathe Safety Warnings
Maintain labels and nameplates on 1.
the tool. These carry important safety
information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a
replacement.
Do not run the Lathe without its cov-2.
ers and guards in place.
The tool must always be tight within 4.
the tool post or chuck and adjusted
to limit projection from the post. This
will reduce the possibility of the tool
breaking or bending.
Avoid unintentional starting. Prepare 5.
to begin work before turning on the
tool.
Do not reach across the Lathe while it 6.
is running.
Industrial applications must follow 7.
OSHA guidelines.
Do not use the Lathe if it is off-bal-8.
ance, or the workpiece is not properly
centered.
Only feed workpiece into a cutting 9.
tool against the direction of rotation.
Do not leave the tool unattended 10.
when it is plugged into an electrical
outlet. Turn off the tool, and unplug it
from its electrical outlet before leaving.
This product is not a toy. Keep it out 11.
of reach of children.
People with pacemakers should 12.
consult their physician(s) before use.
Electromagnetic elds in close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. In addition, people with
pacemakers should:
grounded. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) should also be implemented – it prevents sustained electrical shock.
Some dust created by power sand-13.
ing, sawing, grinding, drilling, and
other construction activities, contains
chemicals known [to the State of California] to cause cancer, birth defects
or other reproductive harm. Some
examples of these chemicals are:
• Lead from lead-based paints
• Crystalline silica from bricks and ce-
ment or other masonry products
• Arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do
this type of work. To reduce your
exposure to these chemicals: work in
a well ventilated area, and work with
approved safety equipment, such as
those dust masks that are specially
designed to lter out microscopic
particles. (California Health & Safety
Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
GROUNDING
TO PREVENT
ELECTRIC SHOCK
AND DEATH FROM
INCORRECT GROUNDING
WIRE CONNECTION:
Check with a qualied
electrician if you are in doubt
as to whether the outlet is
properly grounded. Do not
modify the power cord plug
provided with the tool. Never
remove the grounding prong
from the plug. Do not use the
tool if the power cord or plug
is damaged. If damaged, have
it repaired by a service facility
before use. If the plug will not
t the outlet, have a proper
outlet installed by a qualied
electrician.
Grounded Tools: Tools with Three
Prong Plugs
The warnings, precautions, and in-14.
structions discussed in this instruction
manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur.
It must be understood by the operator
that common sense and caution are
factors which cannot be built into this
product, but must be supplied by the
operator.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.
3-Prong Plug and Outlet
1. Tools marked with “Grounding Required” have a three wire cord and
three prong grounding plug. The
plug must be connected to a properly
grounded outlet. If the tool should
electrically malfunction or break
down, grounding provides a low
resistance path to carry electricity
away from the user, reducing the risk
The grounding prong in the plug is 2.
connected through the green wire inside the cord to the grounding system
in the tool. The green wire in the cord
must be the only wire connected to
the tool’s grounding system and must
never be attached to an electrically
“live” terminal. (See 3-Prong Plug
and Outlet.)
The tool must be plugged into an 3.
appropriate outlet, properly installed
and grounded in accordance with all
codes and ordinances. The plug and
outlet should look like those in the
preceding illustration. (See 3-Prong
Plug and Outlet.)
If you are using one extension cord 4.
for more than one tool, add the
nameplate amperes and use the sum
to determine the required minimum
cord size. (See Table A.)
If you are using an extension cord 5.
outdoors, make sure it is marked with
the sufx “W-A” (“W” in Canada) to
indicate it is acceptable for outdoor
use.
Make sure the extension cord is prop-6.
erly wired and in good electrical condition. Always replace a damaged
extension cord or have it repaired by
a qualied electrician before using it.
Protect the extension cords from 7.
sharp objects, excessive heat, and
damp or wet areas.
Extension Cords
Grounded1. tools require a three wire
extension cord. Double Insulated
tools can use either a two or three
wire extension cord.
As the distance from the supply outlet 2.
increases, you must use a heavier
gauge extension cord. Using extension cords with inadequately sized
wire causes a serious drop in voltage,
resulting in loss of power and possible tool damage.
(See Table A.) The smaller the
gauge number of the wire, the greater
the capacity of the cord. For example, a 14 gauge cord can carry a
higher current than a 16 gauge cord.
(See Table A.)
When using more than one exten-3.
sion cord to make up the total length,
make sure each cord contains at
least the minimum wire size required.
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION section
at the beginning of this manual
including all text under
subheadings therein before set
up or use of this product.
UNPACKING
When unpacking, check to make sure
that the item is intact and undamaged. If
any parts are missing or broken, please
call Harbor Freight Tools at the number
shown on the cover of this manual as soon
as possible.
Proper lubrication is essential. To
be safe, and to become more familiar with
the Lathe, disassemble the lathe entirely,
then clean and lubricate each part with
white lithium grease before rst use.
List of contents
Part(s)DescriptionQty
9” X 20” Bench Lathe1
4” 3-Jaw Chuck1
Reverse Jaws For Chuck.3
Chuck Wrench1
Dead Center Mt#21
Dead Center Mt#31
Live Center1
10-12 Open-End Wrench1
14-17 Open-End Wrench1
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION:
Turn the Power Switch of the
tool to its “OFF” position and
unplug the tool from its
electrical outlet before
assembling or making any
adjustments to the tool.
Note: For additional information regarding
the parts listed in the following pages,
refer to the Assembly Diagram near
the end of this manual.
Mounting
Unbolt and remove the Lathe from 1.
the crate.
The Lathe will need to be mounted 2.
to a surface capable of bearing the
combined weight of the Lathe and
intended workpieces. The surface
must be able to withstand the vibration generated by the Lathe during
operation. The cabinet recommended for use with this Lathe is SKU
46378; this product is available from
Harbor Freight Tools.
at the beginning of this manual
including all text under
subheadings therein before set
up or use of this product.
Tool Set Up
Use a hoist or a forklift to lift the 3.
Lathe onto the cabinet or workbench.
Mount the Spacer Blocks. The Lathe 4.
must be completely level, left-to-right
and front-to-back, or the Lathe will
not mill properly and may become
damaged.
Mount the dip tray.5.
Thread on the belt tensioner lever.6.
The unpainted surfaces are coated 7.
with a waxy oil to protect them from
corrosion during shipment. Remove
the coating with a solvent cleaner or
citrus-based degreaser. Avoid chlorine-based solvents since they will
damage the paint.
When connecting
or removing the
chuck, take care to protect the
ways by placing a piece of
wood, or other guard, over
them. Damaging the ways
may permanently disable the
lathe.
Functions
The Lathe can be used to shape 1.
metal, make screws, and bore screw
threads.
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION:
Turn the Power Switch of the
tool to its “OFF” position and
unplug the tool from its
electrical outlet before
performing any inspection,
maintenance, or cleaning
procedures.
Settings for the spindle, chuck, gibs, 1.
ways, and ends, will be determined
by the length of the stock and the
intended operation.
The Lathe speed must be set to “0” 2.
before restarting.
Workpiece and Work Area Set Up
Designate a work area that is clean 1.
and well-lit. The work area must not
allow access by children or pets to
prevent injury and distraction.
Route the power cord along a safe 2.
route to reach the work area without
creating a tripping hazard or exposing
the power cord to possible damage.
Secure loose workpieces to prevent 3.
movement while working.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION section
Apron: The front part of the carriage
assembly where the carriage handwheel is mounted.
Compound: Movable platform
where the tool post is mounted; it can
be set at an angle to the workpiece
(also known as compound slide and
compound rest).
Bed: Main supporting casting running the length of the lathe
Between Centers: A dimension
representing the maximum length
of a workpiece that can be turned
between centers. Also a method of
holding a workpiece by mounting it
between the centers of the headstock
and the tailstock spindles.
Carriage: The assembly that moves
the tool post and cutting tool along
the ways.
Carriage Handwheel: A wheel with
a handle used to move the carriage
by hand.
Center: A precision ground tapered
cylinder with a 60º pointed tip and
a Morse Taper shaft. Used in the
tailstock to support the end of long
workpieces. May also be used in the
headstock spindle to support work
between centers at both ends.
Center Drill: A short drill used to
form pilot holes and countersunk
holes.
Centerline: An imaginary line extending from the center of the spindle
through the center of the tailstock
ram, representing the central axis
of the lathe around which the work
rotates.
Chuck: A clamping device for holding work in the lathe or for holding
drills in the tailstock.
Compound Handwheel: The wheel
used to move the compound slide in
and out.
Cross Slide: Platform that moves
along the lathe axis under control of
the cross-slide handwheel.
Cross Slide Handwheel: The wheel
used to move the cross slide in and
out (also called cross feed).
Faceplate: A metal plate with a at
face-mounted spindle to hold irregularly shaped work.
Facing: A lathe operation in which
metal is removed from the end of a
workpiece to create a smooth surface.
Gib: An adjustable length of steel or
brass with a diamond shaped crosssection that engages one side of the
dovetail slide. Used to adjust the
dovetail for optimum tightness and to
compensate for wear.
Halfnut: A nut formed from two
halves which clamp around the leadscrew to move the carriage.
Halfnut Lever: This Lever engages
the carriage with the leadscrew.
Headstock: The main casting
mounted on the left end of the bed
where the spindle is mounted. Houses the spindle gears.
Leadscrew: Screw used to drive the
carriage under power for turning and
thread cutting operations. Smaller
leadscrews are used within the crossslide and compound to move those
parts by precise amounts.
Turning: A lathe operation that removes metal from the outside diameter of the workpiece.
Morse Taper (MT): A taper of specic dimensions used to mate matching male and female parts together
tightly. The spindle has a #3 Morse
Taper (MT-3) and the tailstock has a
#2 Morse Taper (MT-2).
Saddle: An “H” shaped casting that
rides along the ways. A main components of the carriage.
Spindle: Main rotating shaft on
which the chuck is mounted. It passes through the headstock.
Spindle Through-hole: A dimension indicating the minimum diameter
of the hole that passes through the
spindle. A workpiece with a diameter
smaller than this can pass through
the spindle to work on longer pieces.
Ways: Surface along the top of the
bed on which the saddle rides. The
ways are aligned with the centerline
of the lathe.
Installing a Chuck
Place a piece of wood on the bed of 1.
the Lathe to prevent possible damage
to the Ways.
The 3-jaw chuck is a scroll-type 2.
chuck, meaning that all three jaws
move in unison when adjustments
are made.
The setscrew at the back of the 3.
Chuck prevents it from unscrewing
when rotating the lathe in the reverse
direction.
Setscrew
Swing: A dimension representing
the largest diameter workpiece that a
lathe can rotate. The 9x20 lathe has a
9” swing, meaning that the maximum
size workpiece that can rotate without
hitting the bed is 9” in diameter.
Tailstock: Assembly that slides
along the ways and can be locked in
place. Used to hold long workpieces
in place or to mount a drill chuck.
Tailstock Handwheel: Moves the
tailstock in and out. Has a tapered
internal bore to accept a #2 Morse
Taper shank.
Tool Post: A device mounted on the
compound that holds the cutting tool.
Chuck
4. Loosen the setscrew, and use the
provided Chuck removal wrenches
to remove the Chuck. Use one tool
to hold the spindle in place and the
other to rotate the Chuck counterclockwise.
The Live Center supports stock that 1.
is too long to be supported by the
chuck alone. Stock protruding more
than three times its diameter should
also be supported by the live center.
When using a Live Center, the tailstock barrel should protrude about
1/2’’ and not more than 3’’.
To remove the Live Center, back the 2.
tailstock barrel all the way into the
casting. The Live Center will pop out;
catch it when it comes out to avoid
damaging it.
Steady Rest
The steady rest supports long, small 1.
diameter stock that otherwise could
not be turned. The steady rest can
also replace the tailstock to allow for
cutting tool access at the outboard
end of the workpiece.
following chart (or the plate on the
headstock) to determine which belt
combinations produce what speeds.
The speed settings on this machine
are 120, 320, 420, 620, 1130 and
2200 RPM. See photograph, chart
and diagram below.
Idle Pulley
C
B
A
To mount the Steady Rest, secure the 2.
bedway from below with the locking
plate, and use setscrews to secure it
in place.
Follow Rest
The follow rest is used with small 1.
diameter stock to prevent the workpiece from ‘’springing’’ under pressure from the turning tool.
The follow rest is secured to the 2.
saddle with two cap screws.
Spindle Speeds
The rotation speed of the headstock 1.
is controlled by the position of the
belts on the pulleys. The cover on
the end of the headstock must be
removed to access them. Refer to the
During metric thread cutting the half 2.
nut must remain engaged through
entire threading process. The thread
dial cannot be utilized.
Feed Rate
1. The Feed Rate Lever (above) changes the number of threads-per-inch
(TPI) that can be cut. The plate on
the machine and the following charts
list typical settings.
Every ten hours of operation, lubricate the lathe’s gears and ways with white
lithium grease, as directed in the Maintenance Section of this manual.
The Lathe can perform a wide variety 1.
of operations; the purchase of refer-
Facing Operations
Facing is the process of removing
metal from the end of a workpiece to pro-
duce a at surface.
To safely perform a facing operation 1.
the jaws of the chuck must be as
close as possible to the end of the
workpiece. The workpiece should
not extend more than 2 or 3 times its
diameter from the chuck jaws unless
the steady rest is used to support the
end of the workpiece.
workpiece. Use the cross feed crank
to back off the tool until it is beyond
the diameter of the workpiece.
Turn the lathe on and adjust the 11.
speed to low RPM.
Use the cross feed crank to slowly 12.
move the tool towards the workpiece.
When the tool touches the workpiece 13.
it should start to remove metal from
the end. Continue advancing the tool
until it reaches the center of the workpiece, then crank the tool back until it
is past the end of the workpiece.
Continue slowly moving the tool clos-14.
er to the workpiece until the desired
facing is achieved.
Clamp the cutting tool in the tool post 6.
and turn the toolpost so that the tip
of the cutting tool will meet the end of
the workpiece at a slight angle. The
tip of the cutting tool must be at the
centerline of the lathe, or the work will
be marred.
Clamp the toolpost in place and 7.
advance the carriage until the tool is
even with, but not touching the end of
the workpiece.
Set the lathe to its lowest speed and 8.
turn it on. Make sure the leadscrew
is not turning.
Turn the lathe off and press the 9.
Halfnut lever down to engage it with
the leadscrew. Locking the half-nut
to the leadscrew will prevent the
carriage from moving back away
from the workpiece during the facing
operation.
After the facing operation is complet-15.
ed the sides of the workpiece should
be led to eliminate the sharp edge.
Drilling
Face the workpiece as described 1.
above to ensure a clean surface for
drilling.
Note: Drill chucks, center drills and drills
are not included with this Lathe.
Attach a drill chuck and secure a cen-2.
ter drill into it.
Use the center drill that is about the 3.
same size as the hole you intend to
drill to bore a starter hole. Drilling a
starter hole will prevent the drill from
wandering off-center.
Allow the center drill to cool before 4.
removing it from the drill chuck and
inserting the drill.
Use the compound crank to advance 10.
the tool until it touches the end of the
Use the drill to bore a hole two full 5.
diameters of the drill at a time. After
explained in this manual
must be performed only by a
qualied technician.
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION:
Turn the Power Switch of the
tool to its “OFF” position and
unplug the tool from its
electrical outlet before
performing any inspection,
maintenance, or cleaning
procedures.
TO PREVENT SERIOUS
INJURY FROM TOOL
FAILURE:
Do not use damaged
equipment. If abnormal noise
or vibration occurs, have the
problem corrected before
further use.
Lubrication
1. Lubricate the Apron through the ttings on the front face with ISO 68 or
SAE 20W oil.
Cleaning and Maintenance
BEFORE EACH USE,1. inspect the
general condition of the tool. Check
for loose screws, misalignment or
binding of moving parts, cracked or
broken parts, damaged electrical wiring, and any other condition that may
affect its safe operation.
AFTER USE,2. clean external surfaces
of the tool with clean cloth.
3. WARNING! If the supply cord of
this power tool is damaged, it must
be replaced only by a qualied
service technician.
2. Lightly oil the hubs and gear teeth in
the gear area. Avoid getting oil on
the belt or pulleys.
3. Lubricate the Gearbox through the
four oil caps. Add a few squirts of oil
every three hours of use.
Wipe down the ways and slides after 6.
each use and lubricate with white
lithium grease.
Applying oil to the bedways and other 7.
metal parts will protect the Lathe from
rusting and pitting.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING
CAREFULLY
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR
HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS
A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE
MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR MAKES
ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF
ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE
IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE
PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED
TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT.
IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR
DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY STATES THAT
ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS
SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED
AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY
THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK
AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER
REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR
REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING
OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF
REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.
4. Lubricate the leadscrew and leadscrew bearing frequently.
Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high
quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that for a period
of one year from date of purchase that the tank is free of defects in materials and workmanship (90 days if used by a professional contractor or if used as rental equipment).
Harbor Freight Tools also warrants to the original purchaser, for a period of ninety days
from date of purchase, that all other parts and components of the product are free from
defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event
be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special
or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow
the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with
transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection veries the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase
price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect
resulted from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost
of returning the product.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • (800) 444-3353