Jim Constantino
12-18-2013, 10:37 AM
Hello Everyone
I am new to this site and new to wood turning. I was given an old Dunlap wood lathe, see attached pics. when I 1st received it I noticed the headstock bearings were worn - about an 1/16th-inch of play on spindle. The bearings or bushings were oilite bronze 3/4-inch ID and about a 1-inch OD. Local bearing shop provided replacement bearings/bushings which I installed. I have about three or four questions regarding this issue, so here goes;
1) This is where my problem starts - with new bearings in place the spindle would not fit, but dry fit before pressing into headstock the bearings were fine. I assumed the OD was somewhat oversize and compressed the bearing a little. I purchased a brake hone and honed the bearings until the spindle slipped in OK. The spindle spun freely and I ran the lathe with no load for about 15 to 20 minutes and checked the spindle still spun free which it did. I added felt to the oil cups and use non-detergent oil for lubrication. When I set up the lathe with a drive center and free center on the tail stock they were slightly out of line vertically - about a 1/16th-inch with the headstock center higher (I think, memory isn't great). Now after making about 15 small handles for Xmas presents :) the bearings are shaking about a 1/16th to 3/32nds of an inch.:(
2) I had to build a lathe stand and wanted to mount motor below lathe. As photo indicates it is on a hinged board. Since I was not sure of belt tension I added a 3/8-inch threaded rod to support the hinged board. I also used a link belt. I have searched internet about aligning a wood lathe and have come across some descriptions that include leveling the stand and the lathe base both across and along the length and shimming the headstock and/or tailstock so that the centers are in line. Any suggestions here????
3) While making the handles - mostly pizza cutter handles out of maple, I made a jig that mounts in a Penn State Economy chuck. The jig is a square block with a 5/16 lag screw by 5/16x10 metal screw in the center. I center my handle stock on drill press and drill 5/16th pilot hole, then drill another larger hole to accept the 1/2-inch insert. I install the insert then mount the handle stock onto the jig and bring the tailstock upto the center of the handle stock and tighten everything into place. It seems to work OK. I can pretty much finish each handle with the one set-up and the final cut off involves a small amount of extra sanding and the handles are complete.
4) I have no experience with lathes prior to this. No manual on setup. I have been making Xmas presents for family and friends for over twenty years so have some experience in the wood shop.
4) If I just replace my bearing again I assume I will have the same problem again. Issues are; is the belt tension a problem, is the center alignment a problem, is the jig a problem, or/and is this a lathe setup problem.
thanks in advance for any help
Jim
I am new to this site and new to wood turning. I was given an old Dunlap wood lathe, see attached pics. when I 1st received it I noticed the headstock bearings were worn - about an 1/16th-inch of play on spindle. The bearings or bushings were oilite bronze 3/4-inch ID and about a 1-inch OD. Local bearing shop provided replacement bearings/bushings which I installed. I have about three or four questions regarding this issue, so here goes;
1) This is where my problem starts - with new bearings in place the spindle would not fit, but dry fit before pressing into headstock the bearings were fine. I assumed the OD was somewhat oversize and compressed the bearing a little. I purchased a brake hone and honed the bearings until the spindle slipped in OK. The spindle spun freely and I ran the lathe with no load for about 15 to 20 minutes and checked the spindle still spun free which it did. I added felt to the oil cups and use non-detergent oil for lubrication. When I set up the lathe with a drive center and free center on the tail stock they were slightly out of line vertically - about a 1/16th-inch with the headstock center higher (I think, memory isn't great). Now after making about 15 small handles for Xmas presents :) the bearings are shaking about a 1/16th to 3/32nds of an inch.:(
2) I had to build a lathe stand and wanted to mount motor below lathe. As photo indicates it is on a hinged board. Since I was not sure of belt tension I added a 3/8-inch threaded rod to support the hinged board. I also used a link belt. I have searched internet about aligning a wood lathe and have come across some descriptions that include leveling the stand and the lathe base both across and along the length and shimming the headstock and/or tailstock so that the centers are in line. Any suggestions here????
3) While making the handles - mostly pizza cutter handles out of maple, I made a jig that mounts in a Penn State Economy chuck. The jig is a square block with a 5/16 lag screw by 5/16x10 metal screw in the center. I center my handle stock on drill press and drill 5/16th pilot hole, then drill another larger hole to accept the 1/2-inch insert. I install the insert then mount the handle stock onto the jig and bring the tailstock upto the center of the handle stock and tighten everything into place. It seems to work OK. I can pretty much finish each handle with the one set-up and the final cut off involves a small amount of extra sanding and the handles are complete.
4) I have no experience with lathes prior to this. No manual on setup. I have been making Xmas presents for family and friends for over twenty years so have some experience in the wood shop.
4) If I just replace my bearing again I assume I will have the same problem again. Issues are; is the belt tension a problem, is the center alignment a problem, is the jig a problem, or/and is this a lathe setup problem.
thanks in advance for any help
Jim