Lathe Disaster

[Blake Barr]

Well I guess this is what happens when you buy a $25 lathe and chuck up something out of balance and well a bit large.

Does anyone have an old headstock laying around?

[John Keeton]

Somehow, I don't think a hammer and superglue are gonna fix that!!:eek::eek: So, where did this chunk of wood end up?

[Pete Bradley]

Ouch. They stopped making that part in about 1939. Try posting on the "bring out your dead" forum at www.owwm.org (http://www.owwm.org).

[Blake Barr]

I'm waiting for OWWM to approve my registration.... and the log ended up falling to the floor with very little drama.... I have access to a mig welder but I lack the skill to "make it right"

And I JUST ordered a 1" BB roughing gouge

[Myk Rian]

JB weld it.

[Richard Wolf]

I think you should build a head shock out of Ply. It's only a bearing holder for the drive shaft. A little imagination and you could do it.

Richard

[harry strasil]

is it cast iron or cast alum?

[Blake Barr]

is it cast iron or cast alum?

I'm not sure, the broken piece is pretty light but the legs etc are cast iron...

[harry strasil]

I'll fix it fer ye, iffen you want to ship it to me.

[harry strasil]

should fit in a priority flat mail box. or make a wood box and fedex or ups

[harry strasil]

dats what I did fer a living for 55 years. LOL

[Blake Barr]

oh and if it helps when looking at the broken piece the broken edge is "sparkly"

[harry strasil]

more than likely cast iron, see if its magnetic!

[harry strasil]

oops, ck it with a magnet.

[ROY DICK]

Yikes. Sounds like metal fatigue, but what do I know.
I would consider Harry's nice offer though.

Roy

[harry strasil]

Metal fatigue is like when you keep bending a piece of wire till it parts. This is a case of major overload, thin casting and too much stress.

[alex carey]

yepp, you get what you pay for, must have been scary when it happened.

[Blake Barr]

the magnet didn't stick... and it was cracked when I bought it...

[harry strasil]

if its alum then, its an easy fix, if tho its pot metal, zinc, it can still be patched, and I mean patched, straps bolted to the inside with stove bolts.

[Bob Vallaster]

Blake,
Welcome to the School of Hard Knocks.
From the questions in your 10/17 gloat on the lathe purchase, I'm guessing you're new to woodturning.
In this post you've said the piece was "a bit large" and a "log." Those two descriptions don't go with the belt position I see in the first photo (looks too fast for roughing an unbalanced piece).
Nothing gets you up the learning curve like having a mentor (pen pals on the internet don't count). Hook up with a turning club in your area (AAW site lists chapters) or find a Creeker close enough to visit, to observe techniques first-hand.

Bob V

[Dennis McGarry]

heck does it stay straight now?

Duct tape and ca...... :)

Then enter the ugliest lathe contest...

[Paul Atkins]

Something I learned this month was that those lathes had roller bearings, but lousy castings. Too bad. I'd try and salvage it somehow, like casting it in concrete? I wish my 1460 had roller bearings. Harry's the man---

[Blake Barr]

I have a replacement on the way... :)... I plan on taking a class or two. I have a guy on my team at work that's been turning for awhile but he does mostly pens and such....

[Blake Barr]

Something I learned this month was that those lathes had roller bearings, but lousy castings. Too bad. I'd try and salvage it somehow, like casting it in concrete? I wish my 1460 had roller bearings. Harry's the man---

roller bearings?

[Chris Stolicky]

Um, duct tape? Lots of it.

Glad you are okay.

[Paul Atkins]

Blake, yes Timken bearings believe it or not. This is the only Delta model I have seen with them. They are oil bath instead of grease too. Kinda make you wonder why they used such flimsy castings. I think the Conover has them too. (Roller bearings, not flimsy castings)

[Les Kuesel]

Good thing it was still covered under warranty and you didn't get hurt:)

[Blake Barr]

Hmmm there is a huge Timken operation about 30 min from here in Keene NH... I hear they are pretty much top notch for bearings...

[Brian Weick]

I believe that the headstock is a white zinc metal and is not repairable. I would not try to repair that even if it were possible. Best thing to do would be find another headstock as you have done~ Try not to exceed the lathes handling and you wont have any problems.
good luck
Brian

[Blake Barr]

The lathe is alive again thanks to Ray Binnicker.... fixing the headstock was almost as fun as turning itself... now back to learning how to turn!

[Paul Atkins]

Show us! I love 'up from the ashes' stories.