Thread: Opinion on a lathe

Originally Posted by Paul39

Don,

If you can't get the spindle to move in the tail stock you will have to buy the whole TS.

If you soaked the TS in oily stuff before trying electrolysis, it is not likely the E. solution got where it needed to by as the narrow space was occupied by oily stuff.

Its starting to look like it. When I get the chance I will give the electrolysis another shot, after a liberal cleaning to get rid of oily stuff, then I will give your ideas a shot. Thanks heaps for the help.

I think from what I have read, and your amendment to my drawing, that you have a spindle that slides in and out and is threaded on the inside with the hand wheel side threaded on the outside to push or pull the spindle.

If I look down the middle of the tail stock, I cant see any threads, if that makes any difference.

Below left is my $850 Woodfast just after I got it home and put back together. (Two trips in a Kia Pride - Ford Festiva in the US.) The left hand wheel, face plate, and live center were all rusted in place. I used the above procedures to get everything apart, then polished all the bare metal with light oil and 400 grit paper.

In middle is a Woodfast tail stock. The spindle goes in and out and is locked by the lever on top. The hand wheel is on a threaded hollow rod that runs inside the threaded spindle. There is a groove in the shaft and a C shaped piece fits into the groove to keep it from winding in and out. You can see the top of the piece of metal on the top right of the TS.

On right is my 1995 20 inch swing, short bed, DC variable speed, Woodfast in place. Wonderful machine.

They look like some nice machines =)

Thanks again for your help.

Don,

Electrolysis works fine on bare metal that is in line of sight of the anode. See one of many explanations:

Rust Removal Using Electrolysis

The places that are sticking are shielded from the anode and have oil in and around the rust. I would have a go as described in my last post.

If you would like to try a chemical method, stick the top of the tail stock in a pot, cover to above the spindle with white vinegar and put it on the stove and keep at a simmer for several hours. That may get between the tight places.

There are other stronger solutions that work faster but are hazardous to your health.

Electrolysis is one way, but it chews the metals (this may be desirable)

When I'm restoring, I use this stuff: Evapo-Rust Home Page

It's magic.