WORKSHOP / FROM THE WORKSHOP
Cowells lathe videos from my workshop: the 90ME and 90CW, accessories, lever feed, clock wheel cutting, an electronic divider and a flip-over tool rest.
FROM MY WORKSHOP NOTES
I wanted a Cowells from the time I became interested in clocks and watches at eighteen. Over the years I’ve owned several second-hand machines, and I still regret selling one with a particularly useful collection of attachments, including the wheel and pinion cutter.
This collection brings my Cowells lathe videos together: an overview of the 90ME and its accessories, a look at the 90CW, lever feed versus leadscrew, clock wheel and pinion cutting, an electronic divider and a homemade flip-over tool rest. Choose a topic below to watch it here and find its accompanying project page.
The 90ME overview looks at the lathe alongside its accessories, including the wheel and pinion cutter and rotary table. The separate feed video covers fitting the lever feed and comparing it with leadscrew operation.
My 90CW overview shows an earlier machine with a collet-only spindle. As the original article explains, my later 90CW had a different headstock arrangement that accepted further accessories. The older video reflects that particular machine; the accompanying notes matter when comparing the versions.
The wheel and pinion cutting video follows the setup and a first test cut. Alongside it is the electronic spindle divider and indexer for the 90ME.
For the flip-over tool rest, I worked out the design in Onshape and made the parts from silver steel, brass and mild steel. The original project notes describe the pivoting top plate, clamping arrangement and first test with a makeshift graver.
AT THE BENCH, ON FILM
Choose a preview to watch here, or follow its title to YouTube.
Workshop & machines
An overview of my Cowells 90ME clockmakers lathe and its accessories, including the wheel and pinion cutter and rotary table.
Cowells 90ME lathe — Attachments & accessoriesWorkshop & machines
Fitting the lever feed and comparing it with leadscrew operation on the Cowells lathe.
Cowells Lathe – Lever Feed vs LeadScrewWorkshop & machines
A look at the earlier Cowells 90CW clockmakers lathe with a collet-only spindle. Read the accompanying notes about differences from my later machine.
Cowells 90CW clockmakers lathe — An earlier modelWorkshop & machines
Setting up for clock wheel and pinion cutting on the Cowells lathe, followed by a first test cut.
Clock wheel & pinion cutting on a Cowells latheWorkshop & machines
The digital spindle divider and indexer for clock wheel cutting on the Cowells 90ME.
Cowells 90ME lathe — Electronic spindle dividerWorkshop & machines
Designing a flip-over tool rest in Onshape and making it for the Cowells watchmakers lathe, using silver steel, brass and mild steel.
Making a flip-over tool rest for a Cowells lathe