Vacuum Chucks for an old lathe

[Olaf Vogel]

I'd love to hook up a vacuum check system for my lathe, but there's one issue I don't know how to solve.
There's an issue with my 1880's lathe, here's no through hole in the spindle.

I had considered taking it to a machine shop and having it drill out.
But I'm not sure this is possible since there is a thrust bearing on the other end. Basically one hardened nib in the middle, up against the back of the spindle.
This would prohibit drilling a hole in through to the middle.

317737

A few years ago I saw a solution that (I think) mounted on the load side of the spindle, but I can't find that any more.
Any ideas are gratefully appreciated.

Olaf

[Dwight Rutherford]

Olaf,
check out this thread on AAW forum http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?731-Getting-started-with-Vacuum-turning-chucking&p=4755#post4755
Should have the solution you seek.

[Jeffrey J Smith]

Olaf - you might check out the Vicmark website - they make a rotating union (their terminology) that may work for you. http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=548

[Olaf Vogel]

Olaf - you might check out the Vicmark website - they make a rotating union (their terminology) that may work for you. http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=548


That's what I was looking for! Thanks
Neither size will work, but at least I can use that as a template for a custom creation. And I don't have to drill out the spindle.

Thanks again!