wtnhighlander Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I am making my first attempt at turning a simple tool handle. I am using an old Craftsman lathe that a co-worker gave me, just to get it out if his basement. It is one of those cheap styles with a tube bed. The tail stock has a "dead" center. My problem is that if I tighten the tail stock enough to keep the drive center from slipping, it bogs the motor down. I tried filing the burrs on the drive center to be sharper, but they still slip easily. Is there some trick I am missing, to mount the work piece solidly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eric. Posted October 29, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Baby sledge. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wdwerker Posted October 29, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I cut an X with the bandsaw to drive the center into , only about 1/8 to 3/16 deep. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strasberry Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Baby sledge. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDi Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I have the same lathe. I take off the spur, tap it onto the workpiece , and mount the spur and workpiece back onto lathe .only way I can get it to bite enough. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Thanks, guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I don't have that problem with my lathe: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I don't have that problem with my lathe: Ha! The only thing mine has going for it over that one is that through-holes aren't required. IF the spur doesn't slip! :o 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I don't have that problem with my lathe: That is an interesting set up Daniel. Is that your own design or a facsimile of something you saw elsewhere? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 That is an interesting set up Daniel. Is that your own design or a facsimile of something you saw elsewhere?Thanks Chet! My own design. The thing is not really a lathe, it's a sander, but been using it to turn small pieces. See the full thread here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Yep to what wdwerker said but I use a hand saw. Clamp your bock in a vice cut the X in with the hand saw. Then I take a hammer and pound the spur center into to the X in the wood. I'm not shy, I put the block down on the floor and use a claw hammer. -Ace- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 Also lubricate the dead center with wax. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 4, 2015 Report Share Posted November 4, 2015 X with the bandsaw. Also, you don't want to tighten down the tail stock live center that much, enough that it keeps the pressure on the spur, but not so tight you're straining the motor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomP Posted November 14, 2015 Report Share Posted November 14, 2015 I do the same as John. Tap the spur onto the wood so it bites into it and put on lathe as one piece. That usually works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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