How to Use a Rand Wood Lathe Duplicator on a Craftsman Lathe

Select an oblong piece of wood stock roughly matching the length and diameter of the item you want to duplicate.

Draw an X-shaped mark across both ends of the wood stock with a felt-tipped marking pen and a ruler. Confirm the lines intersect at the center points of the stock with the ruler. Cut 1/8-inch deep scores along the marks with a wood chisel and mallet.

Place the center pin of a turning spur at the point where the marked lines intersect on both ends of the wood stock. Gently tap the spurs into the ends of the stock with the mallet.

Slide one spur into the lathe tailstock mounting bracket and then snap the other spur into the lathe headstock mounting bracket. Turn the headstock and tailstock spindle locking levers with your hand to lock the stock in place.

Set the Rand duplicator on the front edge of the lathe bench. Open the mounting clamps on the duplicator with your fingers and slide the mounting clamps back over the front edge of the lathe bench as far as possible. Tighten the clamps with your hand.

Insert the original item you plan to duplicate between the spindle locking clamps on the duplicator and tighten the clamping bolt with a wrench. Turn the stock hand-wheel on the lathe until the center of the stock is lined up with the center point on the lathe duplicate.

Insert a rough-cut chisel into the duplicator tool clamp and tighten the tool in place with an Allen wrench and Phillips screwdriver.

Place the duplicator guide lever at one end of the pattern piece. Protect your eyes and hands with a pair of safety glasses and work gloves. Turn on the lathe motor and move the duplicator guide handle slowly and meticulously along the full length of the pattern piece. Turn off the lathe.

Replace the rough cut chisel with a finishing chisel and repeat the process. Turn off the lathe and remove the duplicator from the lathe bench.

Turn the lathe on and run a piece of 150-grit sandpaper along the length of the duplicated object. Repeat the process with 220-grit sandpaper and finally with 320-grit sandpaper.