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  1. #1
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    Question Old Woodturning Lathe Live Centre

    Hi everyone,

    Not sure if this is in the right place, please re-direct me if i need to post else where.

    I've recently been restoring my Grandpa's old Woodfast lathe during covid times in 2020 and happened to stumble across this forum when searching for information.

    Restoring an early 80’s Woodfast Lathe <-- very helpful, thank you @LanceC, i didn't go as far as you but i may look at pulling out the entire drive / bearing housing in the future.

    My problem however is about the live centre on the tail stock.
    It doesn't move freely and on a quick test spinning some wood, it got very hot. I was hoping to open it up, clean it out and see if anything needs replacing.

    However i can't seem to get it open?

    I've pumped it full of grease to see if that would work, no luck.

    I've attached some photos. I can't find any information about it anywhere and i feel it my be pressed together? as there are no screws or plugs that i can see.
    The only marking on it says "2H Austra", i would think its circa 70's, 80's(most probably) ,90's?

    Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks

    Live Centre 01.jpg, Live Centre 02.jpg, Live Centre 03.jpg, Live Centre 04.jpg

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  3. #2
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    Have you contacted Austra

  4. #3
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    On the tail end of the taper, is that a bolt of some sort? If so, if it's possible to remove it, and check to see if the taper is hollow. If it is, you could possibly use a knock out rod and remove the nose just like you remove some live centers from quills. That might also drive out the bearings. Then you could clean or replace them if needed..... Jerry (in Tucson)USA

  5. #4
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    I assume you pumped grease into the spring loaded ball area in photo 2. I suspect the center is designed to be oiled rather than greased and the increased friction makes it get hot.

    I would stick the working end into a container of mineral spirits, heating oil, or diesel fuel, let it soak overnight them turn the rotating part to see what might come out between the rotating and fixed part. If the grease comes out repeat until it frees up.

    You might see if you can force some of the above solvents in through where you put the grease.
    So much timber, so little time.

    Paul

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    Live Center Bearing Cleaning and Repack - YouTube

    One style of live center though many now use open or sealed ball bearings / roller bearings in the design.
    Mobyturns

    In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever

  7. #6
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    I haven’t had any luck in finding them (Austra). I’m not sure they exist anymore?

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nubsnstubs View Post
    On the tail end of the taper, is that a bolt of some sort? If so, if it's possible to remove it, and check to see if the taper is hollow. If it is, you could possibly use a knock out rod and remove the nose just like you remove some live centers from quills. That might also drive out the bearings. Then you could clean or replace them if needed..... Jerry (in Tucson)USA
    I don’t think there is any bolt or ability to remove the end. I think it is one whole piece.

    Appreciating all the help!

    tail end 01.jpg, tail end 02.jpg

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Paul39 View Post
    I assume you pumped grease into the spring loaded ball area in photo 2. I suspect the center is designed to be oiled rather than greased and the increased friction makes it get hot.

    I would stick the working end into a container of mineral spirits, heating oil, or diesel fuel, let it soak overnight them turn the rotating part to see what might come out between the rotating and fixed part. If the grease comes out repeat until it frees up.

    You might see if you can force some of the above solvents in through where you put the grease.

    ahhhhhhh... This could be a problem.. I'm very new to alot of this.

    yes i did pump grease into the spring loaded ball joint.

    i might start with what you mentioned and give it a bath in some mineral spirits and see what happens.

    Thanks for the information and knowledge. Learning as i go.

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  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vossy View Post
    very helpful, thank you @LanceC, i didn't go as far as you but i may look at pulling out the entire drive / bearing housing in the future.
    I’m glad you found it useful. I’ve had a blast learning to turn on it.

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Paul39 View Post

    I would stick the working end into a container of mineral spirits, heating oil, or diesel fuel, let it soak overnight them turn the rotating part to see what might come out between the rotating and fixed part. If the grease comes out repeat until it frees up.
    That is also where I would start.
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by NeilS View Post
    That is also where I would start.
    It was worth a shot. I've had it soaking on andoff for almost 2 days now and its free'd it up a little from what it was. Howeverits not ideal, its about a half dead/half live centre at the moment *shrugs*

    I tried ramming spirits in the ball joint but withno luck. I feel it might be tightly packed inside.

    Taking all or any further suggestions?

    Might also need some recommendations for a nicenew 2MT live centre? I seen some that come as kits with changeable ends? Ideallywould be nice to have a serviceable unit too.

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vossy View Post
    It was worth a shot. I've had it soaking on andoff for almost 2 days now and its free'd it up a little from what it was. Howeverits not ideal, its about a half dead/half live centre at the moment *shrugs*

    I tried ramming spirits in the ball joint but withno luck. I feel it might be tightly packed inside.

    Taking all or any further suggestions?

    Might also need some recommendations for a nicenew 2MT live centre? I seen some that come as kits with changeable ends? Ideallywould be nice to have a serviceable unit too.
    Mate, if you don't feel confident pulling it apart yourself, try and find a metal machining shop near you and ask them if they can pull it apart for you. Or you could jump across to the Metalwork Forum, link at the top of this forum and ask them for help, heaps of guys in Melbourne.
    If you're going to buy a new one, I highly recommend the Nova with the interchangeable tips. I have 2 of them, never given me any problems in 25 years of use.
    Yea, Yea, I know they are K1W1, but good gear.
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    Crocy.

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    Vossy, if you haven't already, I would give AGM Engineering a call to see if they have any advice before giving up on it.

    https://agmengineering.com.au/contact-us/

    It looks to me like a live centre that would just about go forever, so worth some more effort to resurrect.

    Some other thoughts...

    Use a fine pin or piece of wire to hold open the spring loaded ball bearing in the lubrication hole and immerse again overnight with that in place.

    Should super glue have found its way inside (some pen turners use it as a polish) then try something like WD40 (and if that fails, acetone) to see if that dissolves any CA that got in there.

    Failing that and before throwing away*, the next thing I would try is to bring it up to a chuck in the headstock (with the turning jaws removed, don't want to spoil those) and firmly clamp the live centre pin with the inner grip of the slides and run on low revs to see if that frees it up. If it heats up then the bearings are probably shot.

    Finally, before abandoning, try to pull the centre pin and bearing(s) out with the pin clasped in the jaws (as above) by retracting the tailstock. If the Morse Taper lets go, drill and tap the tail end and add a drawbar through the back of the tailstock to keep it in place. If that is successful you might be able to cheaply replace the bearings if they are a standard size. If non standard, AGM Engineering might be able to supply the correct size bearings or at least advise on correct size.


    * No, don't throw away even if it can't be used as a live centre. That MT can be used to do other things.
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



  16. #15
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    I have one of these: Teknatool - Nova Live Center System

    It is versatile and works well. I also have an old live tail center which is a hollow cup open through the whole center. Useful for running in a long drill to hollow out a tool handle.

    That your center improved shows progress. Soak your center some more, mount it on the lathe and run it at slow speed until it gets warm. If it is oozing or spitting diluted grease you are making progress, continue the cycle.

    A stronger solvent, lacquer thinner may work faster. It is more volatile & flammable, so be careful.
    So much timber, so little time.

    Paul

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