Cowells Lathe - Lever Feed vs LeadScrew | Fitting and Comparison

In this video, I take a look at the fine lever feed attachment on the Cowells CW90 clockmaker's lathe and compare it with a new leadscrew upgrade. I’ve had this lathe for around 18 months now, and while it’s a really capable bit of kit, I’ve never quite taken to the lever feed as the main method of control.

Thanks to a kind viewer who sent me a leadscrew assembly, I’ve now swapped it out — and I take you through the fitting process, share some detailed measurements, and give a quick overview of the differences in feel and usability.

⚙️ Topics covered:
Overview of the Cowells CW90 lathe setup
Removing the lever feed attachment
Fitting and adjusting the leadscrew upgrade
Measurements and machining observations
Honest thoughts on how each compares in practical use

This isn’t meant to be a definitive guide — just sharing my experience in case you’re considering the same change or building your own. Always happy to hear your thoughts if you’ve made a similar mod or have tips on improving the setup.

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Thanks for watching — feel free to leave a comment with any questions or ideas. #engineering #metalworking #diy #clock #horology #homeworkshop #clockmaking #handmade #mechanicalclock