Originally Posted by
keebler303
Have you ever used a standard manual lathe? Almost all of them have a variable speed automatic feed driven off of the spindle. It would be perfect for you.
You don't need a stepper, just a DC gearmotor and a couple limit switches. You could control the speed with a rheostat. This is like a power feed on a manual milling machine.
If you want to use a stepper you can google a 555 timer circuit and use that to control the speed, add in a few pushbuttons and limit switches and your problem is solved.
There are many ways to go about it and only you know which is best.
Good Luck
Matt