Beale buffer tool won't budge

[Bob Kline]

My lathe has been relegated to buffer duty for over a year and now the Beale bar with the tripoli and wax wheels seems to be permanently attached. I have whacked with a heavy mallet and knockout bar but it won't budge from the Morse #2 fitting. Any suggestions on how to get it out?

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Is there any way to apply heat in a controlled fashion to the female portion of the morse taper. Heat should cause it to expand and maybe loosen its grip.

Maybe use a heat gun and while it's still warm, try the mallet and knockout bar again.

[Thom Sturgill]

You might also try penetrating oil. A test done by Machinst's Workshop Mag apparently found that a 50-50 mix of Automatic Transmission Fluid and Acetone worked best at freeing stuck bolts. Liquid wrench worked far better than WD40.

The problem I see with heat is possible damage to the bearings, but too much hammering can damage them too.

[Bob Kline]

You might also try penetrating oil. A test done by Machinst's Workshop Mag apparently found that a 50-50 mix of Automatic Transmission Fluid and Acetone worked best at freeing stuck bolts. Liquid wrench worked far better than WD40.

The problem I see with heat is possible damage to the bearings, but too much hammering can damage them too.
Thanks for the ideas. I'll check them out tomorrow. I hadn't thought about the possible bearing damage.

[Jerry Toschlog]

I had a fitting stick a few days ago and like you I was hitting the knockout pretty hard. I goggled it and read to ice it for 10 mins. I tried that and in about 4 mins it popped right out.

[Thom Sturgill]

I had a fitting stick a few days ago and like you I was hitting the knockout pretty hard. I goggled it and read to ice it for 10 mins. I tried that and in about 4 mins it popped right out.

Icing the insert would provide the same effect as heating the spindle and is MUCH safer, IMHO.

[Jeremy Pyatskowit]

if you're using a drawbolt, loosen the bolt a few turns, then hit the end of the bolt instead of using the knock-out bar. that worked better than a knock-out bar in my lathe.

[Bob Kline]

Thanks for your help. Penetrating oil (plus a mighty whack) finally did the trick.

[Thom Sturgill]

Now get one of these:
272858
and make sure you keep the Morse Taper clean.

[Roger Chandler]

Now get one of these:
272858
and make sure you keep the Morse Taper clean.

+1 on Thom's advice...........keep it clean and those occurrences are far less likely to happen!