Robust SCOUT User manual

Owner Manual
SCOUT
PLEASEREADBEFORESTARTINGYOURSCOUT
Plugyourlatheintoaworkingoutletofthepropervoltage.
If110volts,usethestandardhouseholdgroundedoutlet.
If220volts,useaNEMA6‐20outlet,ratedfor250voltsand20
Amps.Availableatanyhardwarestore.
Note:GFIcircuitsareNOTcompatiblewithyourlathe.
 
NEMA5‐15,110voltNEMA6‐20,220volt
DONOTUSEGFICIRCUITS
X DONOTusethekeypadontheinvertertorunthelathe.Use
themagneticbackedcontroller.
Whenpluggedin,thedisplaywillread“Stop”.Whenrunning,the
spindleRPMisdisplayed.

Yourinvertermaybebeigeorblue.Bothworkthesame.
LEAVE THIS ALONE !!
Besurethespindlelock/indexknobisallthewaydown,otherwise
thestopbarleverarmwillpushtheREDstopbaragainstthestop
switch.
Forsafetysake,turnthespeeddialtothelowestsettingeverytime
youstartturning.

Thisisagreathabittogetinto
everytimeyoustartyourlathe.
Forshippingpurposes,thejunctionboxonthemotorisshippedin
theuprightposition.Itmaybehitbythebanjowhenyouare
workingclosetotheheadstock.

Ifthisbecomesproblematic,rotatethemotor90°togetthe
junctionboxoutoftheway.Todothis,firstunplugthemachine
andremovethebeltguard.Thenremovethetwoboltsholdingthe
motorandrotateitsothatthejunctionboxistowardstheback.
Thenreassemble.

RobustTools,LLC101BusinessIDBarneveld,Wisconsin53507
Pleasereadthetroubleshootingsection.Phone:608‐924‐1133Email:[e-mail]
ROBUSTLATHESHAVEBEENTESTEDTOULSTD.987andCSASTD.C22.2No.105ANDARECECOMPLIANT
©Copyright2020byRobustTools,LLC;AllRightsReserved.Theinformationcontainedhereinissubjecttochange.RobustTools,LLCis
notresponsibleforerrorsoromissionshereinorforincidentaldamagesinconnectionwiththefurnishingoruseofthisinformation.


20200707
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2
WOODTURNINGSAFETY
Failuretofollowsafetyrulesmayresultinseriouspersonalinjury.
1. READANDUNDERSTANDtheentireowner’smanualbeforeattemptingassemblyoroperation.
2. READANDUNDERSTANDthewarningspostedonthemachineandinthismanual.Failuretocomply
withallofthesewarningsmaycauseseriousinjury.Replacethewarninglabelsiftheybecome
obscuredorremoved.
3. GETTRAINING:ThisLatheisdesignedandintendedforusebyproperlytrainedandexperienced
personnelonly.IfyouarenotfamiliarwiththeproperandsafeoperationofaLathe,donotuseuntil
propertrainingandknowledgehavebeenobtained.
4. DONOTUSETHISLATHEFOROTHERTHANITSINTENDEDUSE.Ifusedforotherpurposes,Robust
ToolsLLCdisclaimsanyrealorimpliedwarrantyandholdsitselfharmlessfromanyinjurythatmay
resultfromthatuse.
5. KEEPGUARDSINPLACEandinworkingorder.
6. REMOVEADJUSTINGKEYSANDWRENCHES.Formthehabitofcheckingtoseethatkeysand
adjustingwrenchesareremovedfromtoolbeforeturningiton.
7. KEEPWORKAREACLEAN.Clutteredareasandbenchesinviteaccidents.Keepshopfloorfreeof
trippinghazards.Woodturninggenerateschipsandsawdust.Cleanupdebrisandkeepyourwork
areaclean.Sawdustisafirehazard.
8. DON’TUSEINDANGEROUSENVIRONMENT.Don’tusepowertoolsindamporwetlocations,or
exposethemtorain.Keepworkareawelllighted.
9. KEEPCHILDRENAWAY.Allvisitorsshouldbekeptasafedistancefromworkarea.
10. MAKEWORKSHOPKIDPROOFwithpadlocks,masterswitches,orbyremovingstarterkeys.
11. DON’TFORCETOOL.Itwilldothejobbetterandsaferattherateforwhichitwasdesigned.
12. USERIGHTTOOL.Don’tforcetoolorattachmenttodoajobforwhichitwasnotdesigned.
13. USEPROPEREXTENSIONCORD.Makesureyourextensioncordisingoodcondition.Whenusingan
extensioncord,besuretouseoneheavyenoughtocarrythecurrentyourproductwilldraw.An
undersizedcordwillcauseadropinlinevoltageresultinginlossofpower,overheatingor
malfunction.Ifindoubt,usethenextheaviergage.Thesmallerthegagenumber,theheavierthe
cord.Seetablebelow:

Recommendedwiresizeforextension
cordsbasedonlength
25feet 50feet 100feet
14AWG 14AWG 12AWG
NOTE:Cordslongerthan100feetarenotrecommended

14. WEARPROPERAPPAREL.Donotwearlooseclothing,gloves,neckties,rings,bracelets,orother
jewelrywhichmaygetcaughtinmovingparts.Nonslipfootwearisrecommended.Wearprotective
haircoveringtocontainlonghair,includingbeards.
15. ALWAYSUSESAFETYGLASSESANDFACESHIELD.Everydayeyeglassesonlyhaveimpactresistant
lenses,theyareNOTsafetyglasses.
16. SECUREWORK.Useappropriatechucks,faceplatesorotherworkholdingdevicestoholdworkwhen
practical.
17. DON’TOVERREACH.Keepproperfootingandbalanceatalltimes.
18. MAINTAINTOOLSWITHCARE.Keeptoolssharpandcleanforbestandsafestperformance.Follow
instructionsforlubricatingandchangingaccessories.

3
19. DISCONNECTTOOLSbeforeservicingorwhenchangingaccessories,suchasblades,bits,cutters,and
thelike.
20. REDUCETHERISKOFUNINTENTIONALSTARTING.Makesureswitchisinoffpositionbefore
pluggingin.
21. USERECOMMENDEDACCESSORIES.Improperaccessoriesmaybehazardous.Consulttheaccessory
owner’smanualbeforeuse.Theuseofimproperaccessoriesmaycauseriskofinjurytopersons.
22. NEVERSTANDONTOOL.Seriousinjurycouldoccurifthetoolistippedorifthecuttingtoolis
unintentionallycontacted.
23. CHECKDAMAGEDPARTS.Beforefurtheruseofthetool,aguardorotherpartthatisdamaged
shouldbecarefullycheckedtodeterminethatitwilloperateproperlyandperformitsintended
function–checkforalignmentofmovingparts,bindingofmovingparts,breakageofparts,
mounting,andanyotherconditionsthatmayaffectitsoperation.Aguardorotherpartthatis
damagedshouldbeproperlyrepairedorreplaced.
24. DONOTMODIFYLATHE.Donotmodifylatheoruseinamannerforwhichitwasnotdesigned.
25. DUSTWARNING.Thedustgeneratedbysomewoodsandwoodproductscancausehealth
problems.Operateequipmentinwellventilatedareasandprovideproperdustremoval.Useadust
collectionsystemwheneverpossible.Alsouseadustmaskorotherpersonalprotection.
26. DISCONNECTFROMPOWER.Disconnecttheequipmentfrompowerwhenassemblingor
maintaining.
27. CHECKLATHESET‐UPWITHPOWEROFF.Examinethelatheset‐upcarefullyandrotatethework
piecebyhandtocheckclearancebeforeturningonpower.
28. NEVERLEAVELATHERUNNINGUNATTENDED.Donotleavelatheunlessitisturnedoffandhas
cometoacompletestop.
29. MAKEALLADJUSTMENTSWITHPOWEROFF.Donotmakeadjustmentswhenthelatheorwork
pieceisturning.Makealladjustmentswithpoweroff.
30. TIGHTENALLCLAMPSBEFOREOPERATINGLATHE.Allclamphandlesonthebanjo,toolrest,
tailstockandauxiliaryequipmentshouldbetightenedbeforeoperatinglathe.
31. CHECKTHEWORKPIECECAREFULLYforsplits,knotsorotherobstructionswhichmaycauseasafety
riskwhileturning.Donotturnunsoundwood.
32. USESLOWSPEEDWHENSTARTING.Alwaysstartoutwithslowspeedswhenturninganewor
unbalancedworkpiece.
33. ADJUSTTOOLRESTCLOSETOTHEWORKPIECE.Beforeturning,rotatetheworkpiecebyhandto
makesureitclearsthetoolrest.Whenturning,occasionallystopthelatheandreadjustthetoolrest
tokeepitclose.
34. KEEPTOOLONTOOLREST.Lathetoolsshouldremainonthetoolrestwheneverthetoolisincontact
withtheworkpiece.
35. REMOVETOOLRESTWHENSANDINGORFINISHING.Whensandingorfinishingyourworkpiece,
removethetoolresttopreventyourfingersfromgettingpinched.
36. FASTENWORKPIECESECURELYBETWEENCENTERS.Whenturningbetweencenters,makesurethe
workpieceissecureandthattailstockislockedbeforeturning.
37. USECAUTIONWHENUSINGTHELATHEINREVERSE.Whenusingreverse,besuretosecurethe
workholdingdevice(chuck,faceplate,etc.)tothespindlewithsafetysetscrews.Reverseis
generallyonlyusedwhensanding.
38. NEVERSTOPAROTATINGWORKPIECEWITHYOURHAND
39. IFGLUINGUPAWORKPIECE:alwaysuseahigh‐qualityglueofthetypenecessaryforthatparticular
workpiece.

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40. FOLLOWLOCALELECTRICALCODES.Makesurewiringcodesandrecommendedelectrical
connectionsarefollowedandthatthemachineisproperlygrounded
41. GROUNDINGINSTRUCTIONS:Intheeventofamalfunctionorbreakdown,groundingprovidesa
pathofleastresistanceforelectriccurrenttoreducetheriskofelectricshock.Youlatheisequipped
withanelectriccordhavinganequipmentgroundingconductorandagroundingplug.Theplugmust
bepluggedintoamatchingoutletthatisproperlyinstalledandgroundedinaccordancewithalllocal
codesandordinances.

Donotmodifytheplugprovided–ifitwillnotfittheoutlet,havetheproperoutletinstalledbya
qualifiedelectrician.Improperconnectionoftheequipment‐groundingconductorcanresultinarisk
ofelectricshock.Theconductorwithinsulationhavinganoutersurfacethatisgreenwithorwithout
yellowstripesistheequipment‐groundingconductor.Ifrepairorreplacementoftheelectriccordor
plugisnecessary,donotconnecttheequipment‐groundingconductortoaliveterminal.Checkwith
aqualifiedelectricianorservicepersonnelifthegroundinginstructionsarenotcompletely
understood,orifindoubtastowhetherthetoolisproperlygrounded.Useonly3‐wireextension
cordsthathave3‐pronggroundingplugsand3‐polereceptaclesthatacceptthetool’splug.Repairor
replacedamagedorworncordimmediately.

Latheswiredtorunon110‐120voltcircuitsareintendedforuseonacircuitthathasanoutlet
(NEMA5‐15)thatlooksliketheoneillustratedinSketchAinthefigurebelow.Thetoolhasa
groundingplugthatlooksliketheplugalsoillustratedinthefigure.Atemporaryadapter,which
looksliketheadapterillustratedinSketchesBandC,maybeusedtoconnectthisplugtoa2‐pole
receptacleasshowninSketchBifaproperlygroundedoutletisnotavailable.Thetemporary
adaptershouldbeusedonlyuntilaproperlygroundedoutletcanbeinstalledbyaqualified
electrician.Thegreen‐coloredrigidear,lug,andthelike,extendingfromtheadaptermustbe
connectedtoapermanentgroundsuchasaproperlygroundedoutletbox.

Latheswiredforoperationona220‐240voltcircuitareintendedforuseonacircuitthathasan
groundedoutletandplugthatlookslikethoseillustratedbelow(NEMA6‐20).
*** SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS ***

5
Installation

Consideration Recommendation
Unpacking DONOTLIFTBYTHEREDSTOPBAR.Yourlatheisshippedfullyassembled.Robustlathes
areheavy.Gethelp.Usecarewhenremovingthelathefromthepallet.Removeanypacking
greasewitharag.
Lathe
Location
Thebestlocationisonalevelconcretefloorclosetoapowersourceinanareawithgood
lighting.Provideclearanceonallsidesofthelathe.Othermachinesinyourshopshouldnot
interferewiththeoperationofthelathe.
Lighting Yourshopandlatheworkareashouldhaveadequatelighting.Amovablespotlightmaybe
helpful.Astand‐offisincludedontopoftheinverterbracketformountingalight.
Boltingto
Bench/Floor
Ifyouareprovidingyourownbenchorstand,itisrecommendedthatyouboltthelathe
securelytoit.Yourbenchorstandshouldbesturdyandcapableofhandlingtheweightof
thelatheandthestressesofturning.IfyoupurchasedtheRobustUniversalStand,boltsare
suppliedtoattachthelathetoit.Ifyoudonotplantomoveyourlathe,youshouldconsider
boltingthestandorbenchtothefloor.Firstmakesurethelatheislevelandsettledperother
instructionsinthismanualandthenuseanygoodqualityanchor.Ifyouareboltingto
concrete,makesuretherearenoexpansionjointsorcracksbetweenthelegs.Ifboltingtoa
woodenfloor,itisbesttogetoverthejoists.Settlethelathebothbeforeandafterbolting.
Ventilation Yourshopshouldbeadequatelyventilated.Theamountofventilationneededvariesbased
onthesizeoftheshopandtheamountofworkdone.Theuseofdustcollectorsandfilters
willminimizeriskstoyourhealth.Somewoodsaretoxicorwillcauseallergicreactions.
Electrical Wiringandoutletsshouldadheretolocal
electricalcodes.YourSCOUTmaybewired
110or220voltsandshouldbeona
dedicatedcircuitofatleast15amps.
Avoidusingextensioncords.

 Ifyouareindoubtaboutthepower
connection,seekadvicefroma
qualifiedelectrician.
LatheHeight Mostturnersliketoadjusttheheightofthelathelegssothecenterlineofthelathespindleis
attheelbowheightoftheturner.Adjustupordownfromtheretowhereitiscomfortable
foryou.Seeinstructionsforthiselsewhereinthemanual.
RoutineMaintenance
Interval Maintenance
Aftereachuse Cleantheworkareaandlathe.Cleardustfromtheinsidetheheadstock,betweenthe
lathebedrails,andunderthebanjoandtailstock.Cleanupanyfinishorgluefromways.
Somesolventsandglueswillaffectthepaintedsurfaces.Coverupthepaintifyou
don’twantitaffectedbysolventandglues.
Monthly Removethebanjoandcleanandlightlylubricatethecamshaftandcamshaftfollower.
Lubricatethebedwayswithpastewax.Cleanandlubricatewithoneortwodropsof
light‐weightoiltheoutsideofthequillandthetailstockcamshaft.Recheckbelttension.
Removetoolrestclampfrombanjoandcleanandlubricatebushingsandholes.
6Months Cleanandgreasetailstockquillthreads‐‐screwthequillallthewayout,greasethenutin
thequillandcrankthequillbackin;wipeoffexcess.Anygeneral‐purposegreaseisfine.
Loosenbeltandcleanitscontactsideandthegroovesinthepulleys.
Never Thespindleandmotorbearingsarepermanentlylubricatedandneednomaintenance.

6
ElectricMotor
Yourlatheisequippedwitha3phaseACindustrialgrademotor.Themotorisfancooled.Ifthelathehasrunfor
alongtimeonslowspeedthemotormaystopasthefanisnotturningfastenoughtocoolthemotorsufficiently.
Allowthemotortocoolbeforecontinuing.
VariableFrequencyDriveor“Inverter”
Yourlathehasanindustrialgradevariablefrequencydrive(VFD),alsoknownas
an“inverter”.Itconvertsnormalhouseholdcurrentto3phase.Whenyou
changethespindlespeeddial,thedrivechangesthemotorspeed.
TheinverterissetwithparametersbyRobustthatmostturnerswilllike.Donot
changeanyparameterswithoutathoroughunderstandingofhowinverters
work,sincechangingcertainsettingswillpreventyourlathefromrunning
properly,ifatall.Thedrivemanual,includedwiththelathe,showshowto
changethesettings.
NOTE:ThebuttonsonthefaceoftheVFDhavebeende‐programmedandare
non‐functional.Alllatheoperationsaredonewiththependantcontroller.
VFD(aka“inverter”)Yoursmay
bebeigeorblue.Theywork
exactlythesame.

Unplugthelathewhenyoutakeanextendedbreakorarefinishedwithyourturningsession.Thisalso
providesmaximumprotectionagainstpowersurgesandlightningstrikes.
Controls
Control Function 

1‐10,
Spindle
Speed
Determinesspeed(rpm)oflathe:
1‐slowest,10‐fastest.
 Setthespeedto1andgraduallyincreaseto
thedesiredleveleverytimeyoustartthelathe.

REV/FWD










STOP
Determinesrotationaldirectionofspindle:
REV‐reverse,FWD‐forward
 Youcanchangedirectionwhenthelatheis
running.Thespindlewillslowdown,stop,and
changedirection.Thiswillnotharmthelathe.
Whenturninginreversesecureyourchuck,
faceplate,etc.usingasetscrew(grubscrew)in
theunthreadedportionofthespindle.
FirmlypresstheSTOPbuttonortheREDstopbar
anywherealongitslengthtoactivatethestop
buttonandstopspindlerotation.

Spindle
Lock‐
Index
Knob

TheSpindleLock/IndexKnobislocatedontheleft
sideoftheheadstock.Raiseittoengage,loweritto
disengage.

Ifyouwanttorunthelathe,besurethespindle
lock/indexknobisallthewaydown,otherwisethe
stopbarleverarmwillpushthestopbaragainstthe
stopswitch.

 Thelatheshouldnotbeoperatedwhenthe
SpindleLock/IndexKnobisintheupposition.

Spindle Lock/Index
Knob

7
MountingaFaceplateorChuck

PLEASENOTE:YourspindlehasRIGHTHANDthreadsonboththe
inboardside(towardsthebed)andoutboardside(awayfromthebed).
Someolderlathes,madebeforereversewasacommonfeature,hadleft
handthreadsontheoutboardsidetokeepworkfromunscrewingduring
turning.

NOTE:YourSCOUTcameequippedwithtwofaceplates.Youcanuseone
asahandwheel.

Tomountafaceplateorchuck:
1. TurnthelatheOFF.

2. RaisetheSpindleLockKnobtotheUPpositiontosecurethespindle.


3. Screwthefaceplateorchuckontothespindlethreads.Someturnersliketouseaspindlewasherbefore
installingafaceplateorchuck.
Forsafeoperation,thefaceplateorchuckbodymustcontacttheshoulderonthespindle.
4. PushtheSpindleLockKnobdowntoreleasethespindle.
 Somefaceplatesandchucksareequippedwithasetscrewtosecurethemtothespindle.Before
tighteningthissetscrew,ensurethatitlinesupwiththegrooveprovidedonthespindle.
SpindleLock/Indexing
Thespindlelockservesdoubledutyastheindexmechanism.Thereare24division(every15degrees).The
pulleyisengraved“1”through“24”andthesenumbersarevisibleonthetopoftheheadstock.
Whenthespindlelock/indexknobisraised,thestopbarleverarmwillpushtheREDstopbaragainstthestop
switch,preventingyoufromstartingthemachine.Lowertheknobtodisengagethemechanismandtorelease
thestopbutton.
Ifthemechanismbecomesstickyorhardtomove,sprayalightlubricant,likeWD‐40orsimilarspraylube
throughtheslotintheguardandintotheheadstockcastingaspicturedbelow.Workthemechanismupand
down.Repeatasnecessary.Takecareyoudon’tgetlubeonthecontactsideofthebeltoronthepulleys.

Index Division Use a spray nozzle through this slot
to apply lubricant to the spindle lock.
Be sure to get the nozzle into the
hole in the headstock.

8
BanjoandToolrestOperation
BANJO:Tomovethebanjo,loosentheBanjoReleaseLeverto
averticalposition,slidethebanjotothedesiredposition,
thentightentheBanjoReleaseLeverleftorright.
Whenlocked,theBanjoReleaseLevershouldgojustpast
horizontal:Apr.4o’clockor8o’clock.
Keepthebottomofbanjoandbanjoshaftcleanandjust
lightlyoiledorwaxed.Thisminimizesbuildupanddrag.
TOOLREST:Toadjustthetoolrest,loosentheToolrestClamp,
positionthetoolrestandtightentheclamp.
TOOLRESTCLAMP:Tochangewheretheclampendsupwhen
tightened,simplypulloutonthehandle,turnittothedesired
spotandpushitbackin.You’llnotethattheholeforthe
toolrestisnotround.Thisgivesmorecontactareafor
holdingthetoolrest.
Keepthetoolrestclosetothework.Stopthelatheto
adjustthetoolrest.Spintheworkbyhandbefore
startingtomakesureallpartsoftheworkpiececlear
thetoolrest.
Gougesandchiselsshouldremainonthetoolrest
wheneverthetoolisincontactwiththeworkpiece.
Removethetoolrestwhensandingorpolishingso
fingersdonotgetpinched.
UsingtheBanjoandToolrest


Theholeforthetoolrestisnotround!
TailstockOperation
MOVINGANDLOCKING:Tomovethetailstockalongthebed,
liftthehandletotheunlockthetailstockandslideittothe
desiredspot.Thenpushtheleverdowntolockthetailstock.
CHANGINGLOCKINGORIENTATION:Thelockinglevercanbe
madetolocktowardsthefrontorback.Tochange,simply
removethetailstockfromthelatheandrotatetheleverto
theotherside.
USINGTHEQUILL:Tomovethetailstockquillinorout,loosen
theQuillLockandturntheQuillHandwheel.Lockthequillby
tighteningthequilllock.

HINT:Ifyouadjustthelockhandlesoitislevelwhenlocked,
itonlytakesa¼turntounlockit.
Toinstallanaccessorywitha#2MorseTaperfirstcleanboth
themaleandfemaleparts.Useaquick,firmactionbyhand
toseatthetaper.
Toremovetheaccessory,turntheHandwheelsothequill
goesintothetailstock.Theaccessoryshouldself‐eject.Ifthe
accessoryistooshorttoself‐eject,usetheknockoutrod.
UsingtheTailstock


 Neverloosenthetailstockwhiletheworkpieceisturning.
Toolrest Clamp
adjustable locking
position
Clamp
pushes here

9
SPINDLEREMOVAL

In the rare event you should need to remove the spindle for
maintenance, this is the procedure

1. Stopthelatheanddisconnectfrompower
2. Removethebeltcover.
3.Loosenthebeltbylooseningthetwoboltsthathold
themotorinplaceandmovingthemotorsothatthe
beltisloose.Thenremovethebelt.
4. Lockthespindleusingthespindlelockandremovethe
nutusingaspecialwrenchmadeforthatpurpose.A
brasspunchandhammerusedintheslotsonthenut
willworkinapinch,butisnotrecommended.Spinthe
nutcounter‐clockwisetoloosen(ithasnormalright
handthreads).

5.Removethepulley.Todoso,youmayneedtogettwo
longfullythreaded1/4"‐20boltsandthreadintothe
twoholesasshown.Tightenthescrewsevenlyand
thepulleywillbackofftheshaft.
6.Removethesixcapscrewsholdingthebearingretainer
ringandremovethering
7. Lightlytapontheinboardsideofthespindlewitha
rubberhammerorblockofwood.Thespindlewithits
twopressedonbearingsshouldslideouttowardsthe
outboardside.
8. Toreassemble,dotheseoperationsinreverse.



TighteningtheBelt:Thebeltdoesnotneedtobesupertight.Poly‐grooveV‐beltsdoanexcellentjobof
transmittingpower.Thebeltistightenedbypivotingthemotor.Themotorisattachedtothebedframewith
twobolts.Loosenbothboltsandapplyhandpressuretothemotorandthentightenthebolts.Thereshouldbe
atleast¼”offlexinthebeltwhenitistight.Overtighteningthebeltreducesbeltlifeandwilldamagethe
bearingsinboththemotorandonthelathespindle.
Two tapped holes for
pulley removal. Put a long
¼-20 bolt in each one and
back out evenly
Spindle Lock Nut
Six Cap Screws

10
AdjustingtheStopBar:Youcanchangewhenthestopbar
engagesthestopswitchbyadjustingthesetscrewunderthe
acornnutonthestopbar.Ifyouaregettingnuisancetrips
becausethescrewistooclose,backitoffabit.Ifyouwant
thelathetostopwithlesspressureappliedonthestopbar,
turnitinabit.
OptionalVacuumAdapter

Thevacuumadapterisequippedwitha#2MorseTaper
ontheendandwillworkbothinboardandoutboard.
Toinstall,simplyinsertthevacuumadapterintothe
spindlewithaquick,firmmotion.
SomelubricantontheO‐ringmakesthisprocesseasier
andextendsthelifeoftheO‐ring.Ifyoudowearout
theO‐ring,theyareacommonsizeandfoundatany
hardwarestore.
BesuretheMorseTaperinthespindleifcleanandburr
freebeforeinstallation.Removethevacuumadapter
withtheknock‐outrodsuppliedwithyourlathe.
TheVacuumAdapteristhreaded¼”pipe
threadforyourvacuumlineandhasa#2
MorseTapertofitintoeitherendofthe
spindle.
Stop Bar Adjustment

11
DRIVECENTER:Thecupstyledrivecenterisperfectforsafely
drivingspindlesandsmallbowls.Ifyougetacatch,thewoodjust
spinsonthecenter.LikeourLiveCenter,thetipisadjustableand
reversible.TheBowlDrivethreadsontothecupcenterand
providesmoresurfaceareafordrivinglargerwork.
LIVECENTER:Aprecision40degreeangularcontactballbearing,
sealed&lubricatedforlife,carriesboththethrustloadandrear
radialload.Itmayfeelloosewhennotunderload.Thisisnormal.
Thetipsoftheboththeliveanddrivecentersextendsand
reversestoaccommodateyourturning.Botharealsothreaded
3/4‐10forstandardaccessories.A5/16”thruholeaccommodates
drilling.

Drivecenterwithbowldrive

LiveCenter
Thetipsonboththelivecenteranddrivecenterextendandreverse.Tighteninplacewiththesetscrew.

MountingaWorkLight
Asocketformountingaworklightisprovidedontop
oftheheadstock.Itacceptsa1/2inchdiameterstem,
whichisthestandardsizeofmostworklights,likethe
Robustlamp.
Recommendedbulbsincludepigtailstylefluorescents
andLEDlights.Bothgivehigherenergyefficiencyand
cooleroperationthanincandescentbulbs.Atungsten
bulbcancauseburnsiftouched.

BOLTINGTHESCOUTTOABENCHORSTAND
Boltingthelathedownishighlyrecommended.Itismoreimportantthatthelathebedisnottwistedthanforitto
beperfectlylevel.Twistingthebedwillaffectcenteralignment.

Eachcornerofthelathebedisequippedwithathroughholeanda3/8‐16tappedhole.Beforeboltingdownthe
lathe,useaboltorsetscrewinoneofthetappedholestoremoveanywobblefromhowthebedsets.Youcan
alsouseashimundercornertoaccomplishthesamething.Thenboltthelathedownusingthethroughholesto
secureit.

IfyouareusingaRobustUNIVERSALSTAND,pleaseseetheinstructionsprovidedwithit.

12
OPTIONALBEDEXTENSION
ToIncreaseSpindleCapacity: Mountingtheoptionalbedextensiontotheendofthebedincreasesspindle
capacityby16”.Itismountedusingthree3/8‐16bolts.Usethetailstocktohelpalignit.Youwillneedtoadjust
thesetscrewsslightlyforparallelism.Aflatwasherisprovidedforthebottomboltthatisplacedbetweenthe
lathebedandextension.



FOROUTBOARDTURNING: Youcanturnupto21”indiameter
ontheoutboardsideofthelatheusingtheoptionalSCOUT
bedextensionmountedasshown.Itismountedtothebed
usingthreeshort3/8‐16bolts.
Youwillneedtousetheoptionaltoolrestextensiontoget
yourcuttingtoolsoncenter.
Becauseyouareturningwithouttailstocksupportinthis
orientation,specialsafetyconsiderationsneedtobe
addressed:
Makesurethewoodissecurelyfastenedtotheface
platewithqualityscrewsofsufficientlength.Ifachuck
isusedbesurethetenonislargeandsolid.
Tightenallthesafetysetscrewsonthefaceplateor
chuckintothegrooveonthespindle.Seepicturetothe
right.Besuretobackthemoffbeforeremovingthe
faceplate!
Slowtheworkdownbeforeshuttingoffthelathe.
Alwaysstartwiththelatheonitsslowestspeedeach
timeyouturniton.
Donotuselongboltstomounttheextension,asthey
maydamagetheswitchconnectionsmountedinsidethe
lathebed.

Outboardturning.You’llalsoneedthe
toolrestextensioncircledinred.

Safety Set Screw
Optional bed extension mounted to the
SCOUT to increase spindle turning capacity
Adjustment set screws
Install flat washer on bottom bolt
between bed and extension

13
TroubleShooting

FAILURETOSTART:Trythesestepsinorder:

1)Lookattheinverter.Isthedisplaylitup?Ifnot,thatmeansyoudon’thavepower.
Checkthatthelatheispluggedintoaworkingoutletofthecorrectvoltageandthatthat
thecircuitbreakerhasnottripped.

2)Doestheinvertersay“STOP”?Ifso,checkyourspindlelock.Ifitisengaged,thestop
baralsoispushingagainstthestopswitchandthelathewon’trun.Alsolookfordustor
shavingsaccumulatedbetweenthestopbarandstopbuttonwhichmaybeholdingthe
stopbuttonin.Ifthisisthecase,cleanitoutwithabrushorcompressedair.

3)Doestheinvertersay“FLF”?ThatindicatesthereisaGFIorGFCIsomewhereonthe
circuit.Theyarenotcompatiblewiththelathe.Timetocallanelectrician.

4)Iftheinverterislitupandsaysanythingotherthan“STOP”itwillbedisplayingan
errorcode.Youcanlookinthemanualifyouwanttoknowthesource.Commonsources
includeoverloadingthemachinewhencoringortakingheavycutsandanomaliesonthe
linelikealightningstrikeorpowersurge.Thesolutionissimple:

Unplugthemachineuntilthedisplaygoescompletelyblank.Theerrorcodewillclearandresettheinverter(a
quickpowerdownwillnotbesufficient).Ifyouareunabletoresolvethesituation,callRobust.Ifitstillwillnot
run,DONOTattempttoprogramthedrive.

5)Ifthemotorruns,asindicatedbyaRPMreadingontheinverter,butthespindledoesnotturn,lookforalooseor
damagedbeltunderthebeltguard.

STOPBARADJUSTMENT:Youcanchangewhenthestopbarengagesthestopswitchbyadjustingthesetscrewunderthe
acornnutonthestopbar.Ifyouaregettingnuisancetrips,backitoffabit.Ifyouwantthelathetostoptowithless
pressureappliedonthestopbar,turnitinabit.

ALIGNMENT:Ifyourcentersareoutofalignment,lookfordebrisstucktothebottomofthetailstock.Averysmallamount
canmakeabigdifference.Ifathoroughcleaningdoesnotre‐establishalignment,checktobesureyouhavenottwistedthe
bedwhenyoubolteditdownasdescribedelsewhereinthemanual.

BANJOORTAILSTOCKWILLNOTSLIDEEASILY:Cleanthebottomsofthesepieces.AlightcoatingofwaxisusuallyOK.Also
cleanthecamshaftsandcamsleeves.AlightcoatingofWD40orotherlightlubricantwillhelpthesecomponents.Also
makesureyouarefullylooseningtheclampleversbeforeyoutrytomovethecomponent.Adjustthenutonthekeeperso
thatthelockingleversgotoatleast90degreesoralittlemorewhenlocked.

LOSSOFTORQUE:Weoccasionallygetquestionsaboutlossofpower,especiallywhencoring.Coringtakesalotof
horsepower.Thecutterbladerubbingorloadingupwithshavingsactslikeadiscbrake.Goslowandsharpenoften.Check
forbelttightness.Thebeltdoesnotneedtobeovertight.Thumbpressureonthemotorormotormountisnormallymore
thanenoughtoensurepowertransmission.Alsolookfordirtoroilonthebeltbylooseningit,turningitinsideoutand
cleaningitandthepulleysusingafinebrush.Donotapplybeltdressingasthebeltdressingjustcollectsdust.Adryclean
beltworksthebest.Remember:horsepowerisnotasubstituteforsharptoolsandgoodtechnique.

SPINDLETHREADMAINTANCE:Yourfaceplatesandchucksshouldspinonandofffreely.Todoso,thethreadsonyour
spindle,chucksandfaceplatesmustbecleanandburr‐free.Everytimeyouputsomethingonthespindleyoushouldclean
thespindlethreadsandtheaccessorybeingmountedwithcompressedairandvisuallyinspectbothitemsfordebris.Puta
dropofmineraloil(won’tstainwood)onthespindleeverynowandthen.

MORSETAPERMAINTENANCE:Morsetapersneedtobecleanandburr‐freetoworkproperly.Iftheyarenot,theinserted
componentcanspinwhichmaydamageboththeinternalandexternaltapers.The“TaperMate”MorseTaperCleaner”
availableatmanywoodturningsupplyhousesisagoodatgettingsoftdebrisoutofinternaltapers.Ifyourspindleor

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tailstocktapershaveburrsorgallsgetaMorsetaperhandreameroftheappropriatesize.Donotattempttofullyrestorea
shinyinternalsurfacewiththereamer,justgetthehighspotsoff.Usecuttingoilliberally.Fortheexternalsurfaces,light
passeswithasmooth‐cutfileoralittlesandpaperisusuallyallyouneed.Concentrateontheburrs,andleavegoodsurfaces
alone.
SPINDLELOCKISSTICKY:BlowitoutwithairandworkinsomelightlubricantlikeWD‐40.Thereisaholetosquirtoilintothe
mechanism.Seeelsewhereinthemanual

FINISH:Thelathesarepowdercoatedandthepartsareeithersemi‐glossblackorSilvervein.Powdercoatingisquite
durable,butnotindestructible.Certainsolventscannegativelyaffectthefinish.WehavebeentoldthatCamphor,awood
commoninthesoutheast,canalsonegativelyaffectthepowdercoatfinishes.Silverveinishardtotouchup,soifyouwant
tokeepthelathenice,coversurfaceswhenusinggluesandfinishes.
TAILSTOCKQUILL:Thetailstockquillshouldturninandouteasily.Ifyourquillisnotgoinginandouteasily,removethequill
andcleanandlubricatethemechanism.Spraygreaseishandyforthethreadsandinsideofthequillhole.Sometimesburrs
willformalongthegroovethatthespindlelockridesin.Itdoesn’ttakemuchofaburrtocausethequilltobind.Takea
smallfileandremovetheburr.Filingasmallchamferontheedgeofthegrooveisalsoagoodidea.
LATHEMAINTENANCETOOLKIT:Hereareafewthingstohaveinyourtoolkittokeepyourlatheingoodorder:
 Paraffinorpastewaxforlathebedandundersideofbanjo,tailstockandslidingheadstock
 Sharpthreecornerfilewithonesidegroundsafefordeburringspindlethreads
 Bottomingtapthesamesizeasyourspindleforcleaningchuckandfaceplateinternalthreads
 Spraygreaseforquill
 ScotchBriteforcleaninglathebedandundersideofbanjo,tailstockandslidingheadstock
 Smallstiffbrushforcleaningbeltandpulleys
 Mineraloilforlubricatingspindlethreads
 Lightlubeoil,likeWD‐40or3‐in‐1
 TaperMateMorseTaperCleanerorsimilar
 Morsetaperreamer
 Singlecutfile(aka:millfileorbastardfile).Asharpone.
 Generalhandtoolsneededtomaintainyourlathe(wrenches,screwdrivers,Allenwrench
!Pleaseseeourwebsiteinformationsectionforamorecompletediscussionoflathemaintenance!

15

Seven‐YearLimitedWarranty

WHATISCOVERED:Wewill,atanytimewithinsevenyearsfromthedateofdelivery,repairor
replace(ouroption)anymechanicalorelectricalpartwhichisdefectiveinmaterialsorworkmanship
onanyofourlathes.Thisincludesheadstockbearings.

WHOISCOVERED:Theinitialpurchaserandonesubsequentowner.

IFYOUHAVEAWARRANTYCLAIM:Inallcases,returnauthorizationmustfirstbeobtainedbycalling
us.Atitsoption,Robustmaysendaservicepersontotheowner’slocation.Ifthetoolmustbe
returnedtoRobust,thecustomerisresponsibleforpackaging,shippingandinsuranceexpenses.
InsuranceonreturnshipmentsisimportantasRobustTools,LLCcannotberesponsibleforitemsthat
donotarriveorweredamagedinshipping.Robustwillpayinsuranceandreturnshippingtothe
customerviathelowestcostmeans.

OTHERWARRANTYINFORMATION:Thiswarrantydoesnotcoverfailuresduedirectlyorindirectly
tomisuse,abuse,negligenceoraccidents,normalwear‐and‐tear,improperrepair,alterationsorlack
ofmaintenance.Robustlathesaredesignedtoturnwood.Workingwithothermaterialsmayvoid
thewarranty.

RobustTools,LLCmakesnootherwarranty,expressorimplied.Noagent,representative,distributor,
dealer,oremployeeofRobustTools,LLChastheauthoritytoincreaseorotherwisechangethe
obligationsorlimitationsofthiswarranty.TheobligationsofRobustTools,LLCinitssolediscretion
underthiswarrantyshallbelimitedtotherepairorreplacementofanyRobustlathe,toolor
accessorythatisfoundtobedefective.

RobustTools,LLC.isnotliableforincidentalorconsequentialdamages,includinginjuryordeath.
Somestatesdonotallowtheexclusionorlimitationofincidentalorconsequentialdamages,sothe
abovelimitationorexclusionmaynotapplytoyou.Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificrights,andyou
mayalsohaveotherrights,whichvaryfromstatetostate,provincetoprovince,orcountryto
country.



Foryourownrecords,youmaywanttorecordyourinformationhere:
LatheModel_________SerialNumber______________PurchaseDate_____________DeliveryDate____________
Theserial#canbefoundonthebackofthelatheonthetailstockend.