Mystery lathe spindle attachments

**LanceC** · 28th May 2021, 03:05 PM

I was given a box of attachments from a local who used to have an old woodfast lathe like mine. There are two attachments however which are a mystery to me.

Both are threaded for the bed end of the spindle. One looks like it's just a cover with a knurled surface. The other is a cup, roughly 65 mm tall, with an internal depth of 35 mm, and internal diameter of 50 mm.

Any ideas?

**China** · 28th May 2021, 04:04 PM

Small one is a spindle protector, large one is a jam chuck.

**LanceC** · 28th May 2021, 04:37 PM

Thanks China.

When is the spindle protector used, and is it still a common accessory? The only time my spindle is exposed is when turning between centers... but that's hardly an operation which possess a high risk of damage to the spindle, in my limited experience.

That's interesting about the jam chuck. I only know them as self made timber items. It never occurred to me that they may be made from steal as a premade item.

**pommyphil** · 28th May 2021, 05:25 PM

Also called a cup chuck.

**artful bodger** · 28th May 2021, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by LanceC

Thanks China.

When is the spindle protector used, and is it still a common accessory? The only time my spindle is exposed is when turning between centers... but that's hardly an operation which possess a high risk of damage to the spindle, in my limited experience.

That's interesting about the jam chuck. I only know them as self made timber items. It never occurred to me that they may be made from steal as a premade item.

Hi Lance. I used to use timber jam/friction chucks for holding bowls when hollowing out the inside before I bought a couple of vicmarc chucks. The cup chuck you scored looks like a beauty, they are more for holding longer items like goblets etc (which seem to be a thing of the past). Also good for lidded boxes.

**powderpost** · 28th May 2021, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by LanceC

Thanks China.

When is the spindle protector used, and is it still a common accessory?

The thread protector was fitted to the nose thread for protection in transport, not necessarily as an "accessory".

Jim

**Old Croc** · 28th May 2021, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by LanceC

Thanks China.
The only time my spindle is exposed is when turning between centers... but that's hardly an operation which possess a high risk of damage to the spindle, in my limited experience..

Well you obviously have not slipped and had the nose thread mash your knuckles at 2000 RPM. I use one whenever there is no chuck on the lathe.
Rgds,
Crocy.

**LanceC** · 28th May 2021, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Old Croc

Well you obviously have not slipped and had the nose thread mash your knuckles at 2000 RPM. I use one whenever there is no chuck on the lathe.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Ahhh, so a knuckle protector then. That does sound painful.

**chuck1** · 23rd July 2021, 05:05 PM

Surprisingly good holding power with the old cup chuck I have a couple I use from time to time.
We used them at tafe turning 250mm long urns.

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