Craftex CT172 User manual

CT172
MINI WOOD LATHE
with VARIABLE SPEED
User Manual

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Safety Instructions for Machines............................................................... 3
Specific Safety Instructions..................................................................................... 4
CT172 Features...................................................................................................... 5
Physical Features ................................................................................................... 6
Proper Grounding ................................................................................................... 7
Un-Packing............................................................................................................. 7
Assembly ................................................................................................................ 8
Tool Rest ................................................................................................................ 8
Tailstock Live Center .............................................................................................. 8
Faceplate................................................................................................................ 9
Headstock Center................................................................................................... 9
Test Run.................................................................................................................10
On/Off Switch..........................................................................................................10
Variable Speed Control Knob .................................................................................10
Re-Set Button .........................................................................................................11
Tool Rest Adjustment..............................................................................................11
Tailstock Adjustment...............................................................................................11
Faceplate................................................................................................................12
Maintenance ...........................................................................................................12
Parts Breakdown & Parts List.................................................................................13
Warranty.................................................................................................................15

3
GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
FOR MACHINES
Extreme caution should be used when operating all power tools. Know your power
tool, be familiar with its operation, read through the owner’s manual and practice safe
usage procedures at all times.
ALWAYS read and understand the
user manual before operating the
machine.
CONNECT your machine ONLY to the
matched and specific power source.
ALWAYS wear safety glasses
respirators, hearing protection and
safety shoes, when operating your
machine.
DO NOT wears loose clothing or
jewelry when operating your machine.
Wear protective hair covering.
A SAFE ENVIRONMENT is
important. Keep the area free of dust,
dirt and other debris in the immediate
vicinity of your machine.
BE ALERT! DO NOT use prescription
or other drugs that may affect your
ability or judgment to safely use your
machine.
DISCONNECT the power source when
changing drill bits, hollow chisels,
router bits, shaper heads, blades,
knives or making other adjustments or
repairs.
NEVER leave a tool unattended while it
is in operation.
NEVER allow unsupervised or untrained
personnel to operate the machine
NEVER reach over the table when the
tool is in operation.
ALWAYS keep blades, knives and bits
sharpened and properly aligned.
ALL OPERATIONS MUST BE
performed with the guards in place to
ensure safety.
ALWAYS use push sticks and feather
boards to safely feed your work through
the machine.
ALWAYS make sure that any tools used
for adjustments are removed before
operating the machine.
ALWAYS keep bystanders safely away
while the machine is in operation.
NEVER attempt to remove jammed
cutoff pieces until the blade has come to
a full stop.

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Like all power tools and machinery, proper safety and attention must be adhered to.
There is danger associated with using any tool or machine so pay careful attention
each and every time you use your tool. If you are not familiar with the operations of a
lathe, you should obtain the advice and/or instructions from a qualified professional.
Read this operation manual carefully
and understand it before operating the
lathe.
Do not over-reach. Keep proper footing
and balance at all times.
Maintain machine in top condition.
Keep machine clean for best and safest
performance. Follow instructions for
lubrication and changing accessories.
Disconnect the machine from power
source before servicing, changing
accessories, and making any
adjustments.
To avoid accidental starting, make
sure the switch is in the OFF position
before plugging in the power cord.
Never leave the machine running and
unattended. Turn the power OFF. Do
not leave the machine until it comes to a
complete stop.
Start and stop the machine yourself.
To avoid accidental injuries make sure
not to have anybody help you do this.
Always wear a face dust mask if
operation creates a lot of sawdust
and/or chips.
Always operate the tools in a well-
ventilated area and provide for proper
dust removal. Use a dust collection
system whenever possible.
Turn OFF then machine before making
any adjustments or servicing.
Do not attempt to measure the work-
piece size while the machine is running.
Make sure the work-piece is clamped
securely between the centers before
starting the machine.
Only use correct size centers.
After adjusting or servicing the
machine, remember to remove all
wrenches or other tools from the
machine.
Do not use any power tools while
under the effects of drugs, alcohol or
any medication.
CT172 – MINI WOOD LATHE WITH VARIABLE SPEED
SPECIFIC SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING
The safety instructions given above can not be complete because the environment in
every shop is different. Always consider safety first as it applies to your individual
working conditions.

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MODEL CT172 – MINI WOOD LATHE WITH VARIABLE SPEED
As part of the growing line of Craftex woodworking equipment, we are proud to offer the
CT172, a Mini Wood Lathe with Variable Speed. The Craftex name guarantees Craft
Excellence. By following the instructions and procedures laid out in this user manual, you will
receive years of excellent service and satisfaction. The CT172 is a professional tool and like all
power tools, proper care and safety procedures should be adhered to.
Main Motor......................................120-V, 60-Hz, 250W DC
Swing Over Bed..............................210mm (8.2”)
Swing Over Tool Rest.....................132mm (5.2”)
Distance Between Center...............305mm (12”)
Tailstock Travel ..............................40mm (1.6”)
Spindle Size....................................1” x 8 TPI
Spindle Taper.................................MT1
Tailstock Taper...............................MT1
Tool Rests ...................................... Two; 4.5” & 7”
Number of Spindle Speeds.............Variable
Spindle Speed Ranges...................750 RPM to 3200 RPM
Bed Width.......................................80mm (3”)
Faceplate Size................................145mm (5.7”)
Bed Construction............................Cast Iron
Headstock Construction..................Cast Iron & Steel
Tailstock Construction ....................Cast Iron & Steel
Bearings .........................................Shielded and Lubricated
Approx. Net/Gross Weight..............20 / 21Kg
Warranty.........................................Two Years
CT172 – MINI WOOD LATHE
FEATURES

CT172 – MINI WOOD LATHE WITH VARIABLE SPEED
PHYSICAL FEATURES
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PROPER GROUNDING
Grounding provides a path of least
resistance for electric current to reduce the
risk of electric shock.
CT172 is for use on a normal 110 volt
circuit. Make sure that the machine is
connected to an outlet having the same
configuration as the plug. If an adaptor plug
is used, it must be attached to the metal
screw of the receptacle. To prevent
electrical hazards, have a qualified
electrician ensure that the line is properly
wired. The lathe should be wired with a plug
having 3 prongs to fit a 3 prong grounded
receptacle as shown in figure-1. Do not
remove the grounding prong to fit it into a 2
pronged outlet.
Figure-1 120-Volts outlet for CT172
It is strongly recommended not to use
extension cords with your CT172. Always
try to position your machine close to the
power source so that you do not need to
use extension cords.
In case if you really find it necessary to use
an extension cord, make sure the extension
cord does not exceed 50-feet in length and
the cord is 14-gauge to prevent motor
damage.
UNPACKING
The machine is properly packaged and
shipped complete in a carton for safe
transportation. When unpacking, carefully
inspect the carton to ensure that nothing
has been damaged during transit. Open the
carton and check that the grinder and the
parts are in good condition.
While doing inventory, if you can not find
any part, check if the part is already
installed on the machine. Some of the parts
come preassembled.
Figure-2 Inventory
LIST OF CONTENTS QTY
A. Wood Lathe (Not Shown)....................1
B. Face Plate...........................................1
C. Headstock Dead Center......................1
D. Tailstock Live Center ..........................1
E. Tool Rest (7”)......................................1
F. Tool Rest Base ...................................1
G. Tool Rest (4.5”)...................................1
H. Tool Rest Lock Lever..........................1
I. Quill Lock Lever..................................1
J. Knockout Bar ......................................1

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ASSEMBLY
Before starting assembling your lathe,
make sure the switch is in the OFF position
and the cord is disconnected from the
power source.
TOOL REST
Position the tool rest base on the lathe bed
as shown in figure-3 and secure it from the
bottom of the bed using nut and screw.
Figure-3 Tool rest base installed
Now, Insert the tool rest into the tool rest
base and secure it using the tool rest lock
lever. See figure-5.
Figure-4 Tool rest installed
You can position the tool rest on the bed by
loosening the tool rest lock lever shown in
figure-5 and sliding the tool rest. Re-tighten
the lock lever to secure the tool rest on the
bed when it is in the desired position.
TAILSTOCK LIVE CENTER
The tailstock quill has a taper hole into
which the tailstock live center fits. Turn the
quill movement hand wheel to bring the quill
out. Clean the tailstock center shank and
the tailstock quill hole and fit the tailstock
center into the taper hole firmly by hand.
Tighten the lock lever to lock the quill in
position. See figure-5.
Figure-5 Installing tailstock center
To remove the tailstock center, simply
insert the knockout bar from through the
hole in the quill movement hand wheel and
knockout the tailstock center.
WARNING
Before installing/removing any part of
the machine, make sure the switch is in
the OFF position and the cord is
disconnected from the power source.

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FACEPLATE
Thread the faceplate onto the headstock
spindle. Hold the spindle using the knock
out bar and tighten the faceplate onto the
spindle with your hand as shown in figure-6.
Figure-6 Installing the faceplate
If you want to remove the faceplate, do the
above procedure in reverse.
HEADSTOCK CENTER
The headstock spindle is designed with a
taper hole into which the headstock center
fits. Clean the headstock center shank and
spindle hole and fit the headstock center
firmly by hand, into the headstock spindle
through the hole on the faceplate.
To remove the headstock center, use the
knockout bar through the hole at the back
of the headstock spindle and knock the
headstock center out. When knocking out
the center, hold it by hand to prevent it
dropping down. See Figure-7.
Figure-7 Knocking out the headstock center
WARNING
Before installing/removing any part of
the machine, make sure the switch is in
the OFF position and the cord is
disconnected from the power source.

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TEST RUN
Once you have assembled your lathe
completely, it is then time for a test run to
make sure that the lathe works properly and
is ready for operation.
During the test run if there is any unusual
noise coming from the lathe or it
excessively, turn OFF the power switch
immediately and disconnect from the power
source Investigate if you can find out the
problem with your machine.
Make sure the ON/OFF switch and the
variable speed knob, located on the left
side of the lathe, are working properly.
ON/OFF SWITCH
The ON/OFF switch on this mini lathe is
located on the left side of the machine,
attached to the bed.
The switch has a removable locking key to
prevent unauthorized operation. If the lathe
is not in use for long time, remove the
locking key by pulling it put out and store it
in a safe place. See figure-8.
Figure-8 Locking key
To start the lathe, insert the locking key and
shift the switch up. To stop the lathe, shift
the switch down. See Figure-10
VARIABLE SPEED KNOB
CT172 is a variable speed lathe. You can
always increase or decrease the spindle
speed while the machine is running, using
the variable speed knob shown in figure-9.
Figure-9 Variable speed knob
WARNING
Before starting the lathe, make sure that
you have read and understood the
manual and you are familiar with the
functions and safety features on this
machine. Failure to do so may cause
serious personal injury.
WARNING
Do not make any adjustments while the
machine is running. Failure to follow this
warning can cause serious personal
injuries to the operator and damage to
the machine.