Thread: Lathe & chuck/jaw gripping question.

Thanks Dave, you've been of great help on here and for directing me to the other forum

Just ordered the slightly larger lathe and 'starter' tools - excited!

Thanks, it's good to hear your on your way. You have come from wanting a job done to buying a lathe to do the job yourself, look out a mill will be next.
Dont forget the HSS if they sell it. Saves paying for postage later.
Dave

Sadly they don't stock any HSS sticks so I'll have to get that somewhere else.

Yes, it's been confusing process... I probably gave it too much thought in the end. There were options that were just a couple of clicks away that I probably should have taken straight away, but atleast now a have a better understanding of things and my options for the future

Now i can hopefully do a few test runs and get to grips with how to operate it.

Good news and bad news.

Good news: ordered yesterday afternoon, arrived this morning at 9am - fantastic! Seems a good kit.

Bad news: something is misaligned. Either the face plate or the chuck. But you can see it's not running true and testing it with a small aluminium ring confirmed that. They are sorting out a replacement chuck and plate for me now.

Frustration. I can see it will do exactly what I want! But i can't yet use it.. sigh..

Hi,
Good to hear you are happy with the size one you picked. That was quick delivery and it sounds like the will sort the chuck or backplate out for you.
The best way to test it is to put the smooth shank part of a drill bit in the chuck, then check it with a dial indicator (something you need to buy). You will also need a dial indicator to set up some of your camera jobs. A cheap one will be good enough for now and you will also need a magnetic base for it.
These are from the same place you bought you lathe, so you may be able to get them posted with the other parts for free.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-Dial-Gauge-21170.htm

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-Magnetic-Base-22663.htm

Not sure if you have read it, but we have a another member here having troubles with his large lathe, because it has been droped while getting delivered.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I'm unsure of how i would use that exactly, but have a few questions which might lead me to buying one of those (axminster seem to be out of stock, so will look elsewhere)

(1) If I am simply pushing a flat object (eg a ring/small tube) flush against the jaws in the self-centering chuck, does that mean that the object I want to turn will be perfectly aligned? May sound silly, but it was just my assumption that the chuck/jaws at perfectly aligned. Perhaps there is something I'm missing, a step that i have to go throught to align something perfectly each time? (ie perhaps this is where the dial gauge comes into place)

(2) How do I check if the spindle is in line/running true? I opened up the back and it seems awfully dodgy. It appears to wobble as well, but that could just be an illusion from the parts that are holding the cog(s)/band in place, rather than the actual spindle. If it is out of line, i will have to send the whole thing back which will be a real pain .

I was able to use it to cut the face off a small tube earlier ~ 1.5mm. But when i come to shave anything thinner it is very hit and miss (because of the wobble). It's workable, but not something i would like to live with or be able to use for more precise things.

Axminster don't seem to be open over weekends, so will have to wait until Monday until I hear back.

Again, thanks for your time

Nothing is ever perfectly aligned, as perfection is unattainable. One thousandth of an inch is as good as you're likely to get (usually more than enough). Pushing a workpiece that is square and devoid of dags up against the chuck jaws' steps will be quite accurate, as regards cutting square, but not necessarily on centre.
Use a dial gauge to test spindle runout (slowly, not with motor running). Put the probe on the ground spigot surface that locates the chuck (assuming your lathe has a spigot). Also check the inside taper, if you have one.
Don't trust a 3 jaw chuck for accuracy - that's not what they are best at. A 4 jaw can be adjusted as close as you need, but takes time. If you have many tubes that are similar in size, you might organise a collet type holder that will be quick and accurate.

Jordan