Compound Slide
Unlike most full size lathes, the Sherline lathe doesn't come with a compound slide. They make a good quality compound slide that can be added on, but it is expensive. I purchased a Taig compound slide from Carter Tools since it was much cheaper. There were two problems: the center height is higher on the Taig lathe and the mounting hardware was incompatible with the Sherline. I made 2 clamps that are secured to the T slots in the cross slide and fit in the groove along the base of the compound slide. The Sherline compound slide is intended to operate on the back side of the cross slide with the tool bit upside down since there is more room. I planned to use this compound slide the same way, so I milled a bracket to hold the tool bit at the correct height. Like most operations on Sherline equipment, you are limited to light cuts, but this worked fine to make the cannon barrel and other projects. Click the pictures for larger images.