The Sherline P/N 3100 thread cutting attachment includes a large 4" handwheel that drives both the spindle and saddle leadscrew once the engagement lever is turned clockwise to engage the geartrain for the selected thread. To make room for the gears and support arms, the motor and speed control are removed from the lathe. Flosi Guðmundsson of Reykjavík, Iceland has found that right-handers prefer to operate the handwheel with the right hand. Now that the motor is out of the way, to do so requires only two steps.

1. Turn the lathe around 180° on your workbench and

2. Install the crosslide table from the other side of the saddle so that you can use that handwheel as well.

The only disadvantage is that you will now be cutting on the "back" side of the part, and you might have to lean over a little more to keep an eye on the cut.

In these photos you can see how a right-handed operator might find this positioning of the lathe more comfortable to use. With the motor and speed control out of the way, there's no reason not to if you don't mind the unconventional positioning of the lathe. (Click on either photo to view at 800 pixel width.)