Hi, very new to turning, but have read a lot and watched many videos. I have an old craftsman lathe, for which I just bought a new spur center and a new spindle. Now, whenever I apply too much pressure, the woodblock stops spinning, as does the spur center, but the spindle continues. This has already created a rough cut on the taper part of the center, and I’m worried it might get too damaged if I continue. Any advice on why the center would not sit well in the spindle? I cleaned both with acetone, I have tried different speeds, and both parts are the correct ones, following the old craftsman manuals. Perhaps my tools snag on the irregular wood, but I have seen people turn blocks much more irregular than what I am trying.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
thanks,
Dirk
Replies
I have the same 4 claws spur Center and just love it, it is far superior to the original one I had on my general 260 lathe. I do not see from the pictures that you have carved or cut a X in the blank for the jaws to bite. Preparing the blank will save time and hassle on the lathe, I first mark and Center drill both sides of the blank and cut or chisel a X on the drive side for the spur to positively catch, just did 4 turnings today and prepared a dozen blanks just like that.
There are different Morse tapers in lathes, and you said you just got a new one. First item to check, do you have the right one? I think the old Craftsman lathes had a #1 MT, and a lot of newer types have MT #2.
Thanks for your comments! It is a MT1, as the old craftsman lathes use. So that is correct. As for pre-cutting, I do sometimes, but in this case the problem is not that the center is not catching in the wood block, but that the center isn’t catching in the spindle.
Google is your friend. Do a search for "Morse taper rotates in lathe" or Morse taper isn't holding" or some such wording. Jeesh!!!
I apologize, I assumed this was a friendly community where people with tons of experience would help out beginners (especially since I post this in the New section), but clearly that is wrong. Apparently then, google is better than people with decades of experience. If so, what is the purpose of this forum?
I am not much of a turner, but have had some experience with lathes over the years. First you may be asking a lot of that old Craftsman lathe. If it's the type with the single pipe instead of a cast iron bed they really weren't great lathes. The gentleman I apprenticed with had one tucked in a corner and it seldom got used mostly accompanied by a lot of cursing.
But that doesn't solve your problem. I trust that you have the proper center for the headstock taper since you say you check the Craftsman manual. Your comment that if you apply too much pressure, I assume you mean cutting pressure, the block and center stop spinning makes me wonder if the answer is as simple as you need to increase the pressure of the tail stock to press the center tighter into the taper.
Thank you very much! I’ve tried that too, but the (known) problem with old craftsman lathes is that if the tailstock center is pressed too far in, it causes friction and burns. I’ll push it a bit further to see if it helps. You may also be right that I am asking too much of the lathe, it is indeed one with a single pipe, though a lot of people seem to like it!
Dirk_Booms
If by burning you mean the tail center burns the wood that is easily solved with a live center for your tailstock.
Yes, that is absolutely true. I’ve been trying to keep using the parts it is meant to go with, but you are right and I should probably get a live center.
Meant to go with when it comes to Craftsman usually meant the cheapest accessory they could get away with. A live center should be standard.
Yeah live center is your best bet. Pennstate Industries or Woodcraft has them just be sure you get the same MT as your spur. The head and tail should be the same. Then knuckle down the tail stock and crank the live center as you do watch the spur get pressed into the head stock. I should be open all the way through and inserting a rod with a light tap should release your spur from the head stock.
Thank you both! What do you mean with “it should be open all the way through”?
Still not entirely sure this will solve my problem, and possibly my spindle and spur center are damaged, but I can give it a try.
The spindles should be bored clean through. This is to allow you to put a steel rod through the head and tail stocks, and with a couple of light taps with a hammer and the centers will pop out. If you can remove your centers easily you aren't putting enough pressure on your work piece.
Thanks
I had the monotube lathe for years. The first and only change I made was a live tailstock center. They really are pretty cheap, and I think are absolutely necessary. I think that will solve your issue.
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