Bottle Stopper Help

[steiner1000]

Hello,

I am in need of some advice. I have a delta mini lathe and want to turn some bottle stoppers. I did the basic - got some wood, kits, a drill chuck and a mandrel. The problem I am having is that when I am turning my stopper the drill chuck comes out of the lathe after just a slight amount of pressure from my gouge. I bought a cheap tapered drill chuck from Harbor Freight for 10 bucks and was wondering if that is my problem or something else. I really do not want to put the end stock on the piece of wood since it makes things to close for comfort. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Chad

[DJ’s Timber]

Sounds like you need a drawbar mandrel for your drill chuck, this allows you to put a long bolt through the headstock to secure the chuck to the lathe, normally this is the best way to mount a drill chuck to the h/stock as the action of turning can loosen it

[Gil Jones]

Hello Chad, your problem is a normal occurrence, as the Morse Taper can come loose from a drive spindle easily (especially if there is any contaminants, like rust or sawdust, on either surface). If the small end of your Morse Taper does not have a threaded hole in it for a draw bar, you can carefully drill and tap it to take a 1/4" x 20 tpi threaded rod that is long enough to extend through your headstock spindle, and secure it with a washer and nut. This arrangement will keep the chuck from coming loose. See the attached picture.
Cheers,

[Ed Reiss]

Hi Chad...

What DJ said is the best way to resolve the problem.

I did bottle stoppers for years as part of my wholesale/retail items, and used the same method as you i.e. #2mt chuck...not from Harbor Freight (can't comment on their stuff - never bought anything from them), but probably comparable, and had the same problem of it backing out if too much pressure was applied to the piece. Ultimately I resigned myself to leaving an extra 3/8th's of an inch more length on the blank and then using a live center in the tailstock for support, then turning the stopper, then parting of the extra.

Good luck.

[wheelinround]

easier sollution when putting the chuck in to headstock wind the jaws back on the chuck then a short sharp/hard tap with a block of wood & mallet will secure it
same as if you were putting it in a bench drill

[steiner1000]

Thank you very much for all of the help. I can't wait to get back to my garage and give this a try. All the best.

Chad

[Mobil Man]

You can get a mandrel that screws onto the headstock from PSI or CSUSA. That will also let you use your drill chuck for other things.