Robust Sweet Sixteen User manual

20200707
OwnerManual
SweetSixteen Version2.0

Beforestartingyour
Sweet16: 
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
Besurethespindlelockisallthewaydown–engagingthe
spindlelockdisconnectsthecontrols.Pleasenote,the
spindlelockmightbeonlypartwayup–notenoughto
lockthespindle,butenoughtodisconnectthecontrols.

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.
Forsafetysake,turnthespeeddialtothelowestsetting
everytimeyoustartthelathe.

Thisisagreathabittogetinto.
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
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
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©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.
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Push it all the way down

1
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.
19. DISCONNECTTOOLSbeforeservicing;whenchangingaccessories,suchasblades,bits,cutters,
andthelike.

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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.
40. FOLLOWLOCALELECTRICALCODES.Makesurewiringcodesandrecommendedelectrical
connectionsarefollowedandthatthemachineisproperlygrounded

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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 ***

4
Installation

Consideration Recommendation
Unpacking Yourlatheisshippedfullyassembled.Robustlathesareheavy.Gethelp.Usecarewhen
removingthelathefromthepallet.Usea2x4underthewaystoliftoneendofthelatheata
timeoffof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theworkareaaroundthelatheshouldhaveadequatelighting.Amovable
spotlightmaybehelpful.Alightstand‐offmountisincludedontopoftheheadstockforeasy
lightmounting.
Boltingto
Floor
Ifyoudonotplantomoveyourlathe,youmightconsiderboltingittothefloor.Firstmake
sureit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 MostRobustlathesarewiredfor220V.An
isolated220VAC,20ampcircuitisrequired.
Wiringandoutletsshouldadheretolocal
electricalcodes.

Latheswiredfor110(1.5HPonly)shouldbe
onadedicated110volt20ampcircuit.

Avoidusingextensioncords.
Required220VoltNEMA6‐20Receptacle

 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.Loosenbeltandclean
itscontactsideandthegroovesinthepulleys.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
Never Thespindleandmotorbearingsarepermanentlylubricatedandneednomaintenance.

5
 Donotleavethelatheunattendedwithpoweron.Itisrecommendedthatyouunplugthelathe
whenyoutakeanextendedbreakorarefinishedwithyourturningsession.Thisalsogivesyoumaximum
protectionagainstpowersurgesandlightningstrikes.
ElectricMotor
Yourlatheisequippedwitha3phaseACindustrialgrademotor.Themotorisfancooledandthereisan
overheatprotectioncircuitbuiltintotheinverter.
VariableFrequencyDriveor“Inverter”
Yourlatheisequippedwithanindustrialgradevariablefrequency
drive(VFD),alsoknownasan“inverter”.Thedrivetakesnormal
householdcurrentandconvertsittoindustrial3phasepower.When
youchangethespindlespeeddialonthependantcontroller,the
drivechangesthefrequencysenttothemotorwhichchangesthe
motorspeed.ThedrivealsocalculatesthespindleRPMandshows
theresultsonitsdisplay.
Thedriveisfactorysetwithparametersthatmostturnerswilllike.
Thedrivemanual,includedwiththelathe,showshowtochangethe
settings.Changingcertainsettingswillpreventyourlathefrom
runningproperly,ifatall.Othersettings,suchasrampupandramp
downspeedscanbesettoyourliking.

Itisstronglyrecommendednottochangeanyparameters
untilyouareveryfamiliarwithyourlathe.Ifyouareunhappywith
yourchanges,contactRobustToolsforthedefaultparameters.
VFD(aka“inverter”)locatedonthe
sideoftheheadstock

PendantController
Thecordedpendantcontrollerisusedtocontrolmajorfunctionsofyourlathe.Ithasstrongrareearth
magnetsonthebacksoitcanbemovedandattachedtosectionsofyourlatheasneeded.

Control Function CONTROLLER

Spindle
Speed
Dial
Determinesspeed(rpm)oflathe:
0‐slowest,10‐fastest.
 Itisagoodideatosetthespeedto0andgradually
increasetothedesiredleveleverytimeyoumountanew
workpieceorturnonyourlathe.
Spindle
Direction
Switch
Determinesrotationaldirectionofspindle:
Left‐Reverse‐Right‐Forward
 Tochangerotation,turntheswitch,evenwhenthelatheis
running.Thelathewillslowdown,stop,andthenreverse
direction.Thiswillnotharmthedriveormotor.
 Usecautionwhenrunningthelatheinreverse.Yourwork
holdingdevice(chuck,faceplate,etc.)shouldbesecuredto
thespindleifreverseisused.
Stop
Button
Presstostopspindlerotation.

6
SpindleLockKnob
TheSpindleLockKnobislocatedunderthehandwheel.Slideitup
toengagethespindlelock.Slideitdowntodisengage.

 ThelathecannotbeoperatedwhentheSpindleLockKnob
isintheupposition.Thisservesasasafetyinterlock.Pleasenote
thattheSpindleLockKnobmustbeallthewaydownforthelathe
tostartandruninanormalfashion.Sometimestheknobwill
jiggleupjustenoughtoopentheinternalswitchandthelathewill
notrununtiltheknobispushedallthewaydown.

SpindleLockSweet16
 
MountingaFaceplateorChuck
1. Turnoffthelathe.
2. MovetheSpindleLockKnobtotheuppositiontosecure
thespindle.
 Forsafeoperation,thefaceplateorchuck
bodymustcontacttheshoulderon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.
4. PushtheSpindleLockKnobdowntoreleasethespindle.
Lathe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.

UsingtheSpindleIndex
Thespindleindexscrewisusedtopositiontheheadstockspindleindiscreteincrements.Itisselectablein
7.5degreeincrements.Thiscanbeusedtodivide360degreesinto2,3,4,6,8,12,24,or48divisions.

1. Turnoffthelathe.Forextrasafety,
unplugittoo.
2. Openthetopheadstockcovertogain
accesstotheSpindleIndexScrew.
3. Turnthespindlehandwheeltoalignthe
screwtothedesiredholeandfinger‐
tightentheSpindleIndexScrew


 
 Makesurethespindleindexscrewisdisengagedbeforeoperatingthelathe. 
Index Screw
Numbered
Indexing holes
Push it all the way down

7
BanjoandToolrestOperation
BANJO:Tomovethebanjo,movetheBanjoReleaseLevertoa
verticalposition,slidethebanjotothedesiredposition,thenmove
theBanjoReleaseLeverleftorrighttolockthebanjoinplace.
Whenlocked,theBanjoReleaseLevershouldgojustpasthorizontal:
Apr.4:00whentotherightand8:00iftotheleft.
Keepbottomofbanjoandbanjoshaftcleanandonlylightlyoiled.
Thisminimizesdustbuildupanddragging.
TOOLREST:Toadjustthetoolrest,loosentheToolrestClampHandle,
positionthetoolrest,andtightentheclamphandle.
TOOLRESTCLAMPLEVER:Thetoolrestclampcanbeadjustedto
positioninaconvenientspotwhenthetoolrestisclamped.Tomake
theadjustment,firstclampatoolrestintothebanjo.Thensimply
pulloutonthehandle,turnittothedesiredspotandpushitbackin.

Thetoolrestclampisalsoreversible.Toreversethetoolrestclamp,
loosenitandremovethetoolrest.Pullthetoolrestassembly
straightoutandinsertfromtheotherside.Makesurethebevelson
thetoolrestclampbushingsarelocatedtoacceptthetoolrestpost.
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‐American
Beautyshown–S16operatesthesame




TailstockOperation
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thelockthetailstockinplace.
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:adjusttheQuillLocksothatitislevelwhenlocked,thatway
itonlytakesa¼turntounlockit.
Thetailstockquillacceptsaccessorieswith#2Morsetaper.
ToinstallanaccessorywithaMorsetaper,firstcleanthemaleand
femaleparts.Useaquick,firmactionbyhand.Donotpound.
Toremovetheaccessory,turntheQuillHandwheeltoscrewthe
quillbackintothetailstock,andtheaccessoryshouldself‐eject.
Pleasenote,ifyouraccessoryisshort,self‐ejectionmanynotwork.
Useyourknock‐outrodtoremovethoseaccessories.
UsingtheTailstock

 Neverloosenthetailstockwhiletheworkpieceisturning.
To lock, push
lever down
Quill lock
Tool Rest Clamp
adjustable locking position

8
SpindleRemovaland/orBeltReplacement

YourlatheisequippedwithahighqualitytengroovePoly‐Vbeltthatisdesignedtoprovideyearsofservice.If
youshouldeverfindaneedtoreplaceit,followtheseinstructions.
1. Stopthelathe,disconnectfrompowerand
opentopandfrontheadstockcovers.
2. LoosentheBeltTensionandMotorPivotNutsand
raisethemotortoloosenthebelt.Snugthenuts
oncethebeltisloosetoholdthemotorinplace.
3. Lockthespindleusingthespindlelockandremove
thenutsecuringthehandwheelusinga1‐7/16”
socketwrench.Thenremovethehandwheeland
unlockthespindle.

4.Removetheindexscrew.OKtoleavethebracket.
5.Usinga3/16inchAllenwrench,removethecap
screwsonthefrontspindlebearingboss.
6. Thespindlecomesoutasacompleteunit.To
removeit,tapthehandwheelendofthespindle
withablockofwood.Youcanalsoscrewtwoof
thecapscrewsintothethreadedjackscrewholes
inthebosstopushthespindleassemblyout.You
mayneedtocleandebrisfromtheholesfirst.
7. Removetheoldbeltandreplacewithnewbelt.
8. Ifyouusedjackscrewstoextractthespindle,now
isthetimetoremovethemfromthebearingboss.
9.Cleanallmatingpartsbeforereassemblyandclean
thegroovesinthepulleys.Cleanthegroovesin
thebelttoo.
10.Insertthespindleassemblybackintothe
headstockandreplaceandtightenthecapscrews.
12.Reinstalltheindexscrew.
13. Reinstallthespindlehandwheelandnut.Thenut
shouldbetighteneduntilitjustseats,andnomore.
14. Positionthebeltonthepulleysandtightenthe
belt.
15. Closethetopandfrontheadstockcovers.




Liftingoutthespindle
Motor Pivot Nut
Belt Tension Nut
Lock Spindle
Remove nut using
1 7/16” Socket
Remove cap screws
from bearing boss.
Spindle comes out as
a unit

9
AdjustingDriveBeltTension 
Thebeltdoesnotneedtobeovertight.Havingthebeltabit
looseisactuallybeneficialsometimes,likewhenyouarecoring,
asthebeltwillslipinsteadofstallingthemotorwhenyougeta
catchoroverloadthesystem.
Toadjustthebelttension,removethecoverplateandloosen
boththeMotorPivotandBeltTensionNuts.Youdon’tneed
anymoretensiononthebeltthanyoucanapplybyhand.Do
notusealeveronthemotororpulleytoincreasetension.
Doingsojustputsneedlessstressonthemotorbearingsand
willleadtotheirprematurefailure.
OptionalVacuumAdapter

Thevacuumadaptersimplyslipsintothespindleonthe
handwheelend.
SomelubricantontheO‐ringsmakesthisprocesseasierand
extendsthelifeoftheO‐rings.IfyoudowearouttheO‐rings,
theyareacommonsizeandfoundatanyhardwarestore
Motor Pivot Nut
Belt Tension Nut
If the wood has structural flaws, do not turn it!

10
MountingaWorkLight
Alightstand‐off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pictured.
Recommendedbulbsincludepigtailstyle
fluorescentsandLEDlights.Bothgivehigherenergy
efficiencyandcooleroperationthanincandescents.
Atungstenbulbcancauseburnsiftouched.
LightStand‐off

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.
DRIVECENTER:Thecupstyledrivecenterisperfectforsafely
drivingspindlesandsmallbowls.Touseit,tapitintothewood
beforemounting.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.

BOTHCENTERS:Thecontactringsofthecentersarethesame
diametersoyoucanreverseyourworkanditshouldruntrue.
Thetipsoftheliveanddrivecentersextendandreverseto
accommodateyourturning.Botharethreaded3/4‐10for
standardaccessories.A5/16”thruholeaccommodatesdrilling
orforknockingthepinout.



Built‐inTurningToolRack
TheSweet16hasabuilt‐inrackforturningtools.Some
turnerslinetherackwith2”PVCpipe.


11
Optional110VoltE‐BoxandTool/TailstockRack
Optionalfouroutlet110voltelectricalboxand
optionaltool/tailstockrackareshown.
TailstockExtension&Wedge

Usedtoextendthequillandespeciallyusefulwhenthe
S16’sgapisremoved.Themaleendgoesinthequill,
andthefemaleendacceptsyourlivecenterorother
#2MorseTaperaccessory.


Awedgeisalsoprovidedtoassistremovingthelive
centerorotheraccessoryfromtheextension.
ReversingtheBanjo
Toreachacrossthegapitissometimes
beneficialtoreversethebanjo.
Thebanjocanbereversedbyunscrewingthe
blackhandlenearthetoolrestandthreadingit
intotheotherend.
Asmentionedpreviouslythetoolrestclampcan
alsobereversed.
Insomecases,youmaywanttousethe
optionalToolRestDogLegtogetoutoverthe
exposedstemofthebanjowhenitisusedin
thereversedconfiguration.Youwillneedto
useLowProfilestylereststokeepbelowthe
centerlineofthework.

ReversedBanjo


UsingtheOptionalDogLeg

12
RemovingtheGapBed
1) Loosenthetwogapbedretainingboltson
topofthegapsectionwiththeprovided¾”
wrenchorusersuppliedsocket.Theyare
captiveandyouwillnotbeableto
completelyremovethem.
2) Liftthegapbedupandoutofthegap.
3) Thegapbedcaneitherbehungonthefront
ofthelatheforturninglargediameterwork
orhungontheendofthelatheforlong
spindlework.
4) Usethetailstocktoalignthegapbedwith
thewayswhenusedforspindleturning.To
dothis,firsthangthegapbedontheend.
Thenslidethetailstocksothatthelarge
keeperwasherunderneaththetailstockis
centeredonthegapbetweenthelathebed
andgapbed.Tightenthetailstockandthen
tightenthenutsonthehangerstuds.
5) Whenreinstallingthegapbed,besurethe
matingsurfacesareclean.

HINT:Watchthevideoonourwebsite
wherethisisdemonstrated.

 Besuretotightentheboltsornutsonthe
gapbed–regardlessofwhereitispositioned,before
youstarttoturn.

 Cleanthematingsurfacesofsawdustor
otherdebrisbeforereinstallingthegapbed,
otherwisemis‐alignmentwilloccur.
GapBedPositionedforLargeDiameterWork
(earlier version of S16 shown)
GapBedPositionedforExtendedSpindleTurning
(earlier version of S16 shown)

13
AdjustingtheHeight 

Theheadstockandtailstocklegsareslottedsothatthespindle
heightofthelathecanbeadjusted.
Adjustmentsshouldbemadeoneendatatime.Supportthe
lathewithajackbeforelooseningallfourlegbolts.Loosenall
fourbolts,adjustthejacksothatthelatheisatthedesiredheight
andthentightenthebolts.
“Settling”thelathe
Itisimportantthattheweightofthelatheissupportedevenlyon
allfourfeet.Afteradjustingtheheightormovingthelathe,you
mayfindthatthelatheisnotsettingevenlyinitsnewlocation.
Tosettlethelatheevenlyonthefloor,loosenthetwoboltson
thesidesandthetopboltontheendjustenoughtogetthe
washersloose.
 KEEPTHEBOTTOMBOLTONTHEENDOFTHELATHE
TIGHTWHILESETTLINGTHELATHE.
Thenrockthebedandletthelathesettletoyourfloorconditions.
Gobackandtightentheboltsyouloosened.Yourlatheshould
nowbesittingwithitsweightevenlydistributedoneachfoot.
Havingthelathesittingevenlyonthefloorismoreimportant
thanhavingthelatheperfectlylevel.Hardrubberpadsarealso
provided.Putoneundereachfootafteryouhavethelathe
positioned.

OptionalTiltAway™
Followtheinstallationinstructionsthatareprovidedifyou
orderedtheoptionalTilt‐Away.Touseit:
1. SlidethetailstockontotheTiltAwayandlockinposition.
2. Whileholdingontothetailstockwithonehand,loosen
theblackclamphandleandthenpulloutandrotatethe
locatingpinwithyourotherhand.
3. Carefullytiltthetailstocktothefrontorbacktogetitout
oftheway.
4. Tobringthetailstockbackup,unlockthelocatingpinand
liftthetailstockupuntilthelocatingpindropsintoplace.
5. Slidethetailstockhalfwayontothelathebedandlock
theblackhandle.


LEAVE TIGHT !
Locating Pin
Clamp

14
ASSEMBLINGTHEOPTIONALCASTERKIT
SpecialNote:Onebargetstwostraightcasters,
putitontheheadstockend.Theotherbargetsa
singleswivelcasterinthecenter,itgoesonthe
tailstockend.
Assembleasshowninthepicturebelow.Please
notetheorientationoftheballjoints.The
threadedstudsmustpointtowardsthebackof
thelatheonbothbars.Also,whenattachingthe
balljointstotheframe,thewrenchflatsshould
bevertical.


Raise casters before turning.

UsingtheCasters:Pressdownonthehandletoengagethecasters.Pulluponthehandletodisengage.
Casters lowered for movin
g
the lathe Casters raised when turnin
g

Ball Joint threaded stud must point
towards back of lathe on both bars.
Wrench flats must be vertical.

15
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:itmayhavejiggledor
beenbumpedupwardjustenoughtoopentheinternalsafetyswitchbutnotenoughto
lockthespindle.Pushdownonthespindlelocktoclosetheinternalswitch.Ifthe
problemhappensfrequently,trytighteningupthescrewthatputstensiononthe
spindlelock.You’llfinditinthethreadedholedirectlybelowthespindlelockknob.

Also,lookfordustordebristhatmightinterferewithmovementoftheswitchesonthe
pendantcontroller.Disconnectpowertothelathe,andthencleantheswitcheswith
compressedair,payingextraattentiontothesmallgapbetweenthepartoftheswitch
thatrotatesandthebezelthatsurroundsit.Somedisassemblymayberequiredfor
especiallydirtyswitches,likethosecontaminatedbyglueorfinish.

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.

INTERMITTENTSTOPPING:Ifyourlatheshutsdownfornoapparentreasonwhileyouaremakingcutsorturningoutof
balancework,butyoucanstartitrightbackup,yourspindlelockprobablyneedsadjusting.Seeabove.

ALIGNMENT:Ifyourcentersareoutofline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,gothroughthesettlingprocedure
describedelsewhereinthemanual.Ifyouhaveboltedyourlathedown,itisespeciallyimportanttogothroughthe
settlingprocedurebeforehandtopreventtwistingthelathebed.

BANJO,TAILSTOCKORHEADSTOCKWILLNOTSLIDEEASILY:Cleanthebottomsandapplyalightcoatingofwax.Also
cleanthecamshaftsandcamsleevesandverylightlyoil.Alsomakesuretheclampleversareverticalbeforeyoutryto
movethecomponent.
VIBRATION:Alllatheswillvibrateifyouhaveoutofbalanceworkandrunthespeedtofast.Forsystemicvibration
problems,startwiththefeet.Allfourfeetshouldbecarryingaboutthesameweight.Thisismoreimportantthanhaving
yourlathelevel.Settlethelatheasdescribedelsewhere.Alsousethehardrubberpadssuppliedwithyourlathe.
Anothersourceofvibrationisloosemountingofyourwork.Chucksandfaceplatesmustseatonthespindleshoulder.
Useathinnylonwasherbetweenthespindleshoulderandthechuckorfaceplate.Ifyourchucksorfaceplatewon’tseat,
seethenextsectiononspindlemaintenance.

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

16
Cleaner”availableatmanywoodturningsupplyhousesisagoodatgettingsoftdebrisoutofinternaltapers.Ifyour
spindleor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.

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wrenches).

!Pleaseseeourwebsiteinformationsectionforamorecompletediscussionoflathemaintenance!

17

RobustSevenYear“HeadtoTail”Lathe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.