Old Chicago Tool Wood Lathe Tailstock Center removal

[Clarence Martinn]

Yes, I know, they are pretty much bottom of the barrel . But, I got 2 of them that I have had for years , and they run pretty good ! LOL Problem is the tailstock. I can't figure out how to remove that tailstock center. I got the live center taken off my Sears 15 inch lathe no problem at all. But the Chicago Tool Lathes are a different breed altogether !!

So, Can they be removed ? I want to replace the centers with something better.

[Richard Coers]

Is there a through hole in the tailstock shaft? If yes you can try a knockout bar. Have you tried to see if it is self-ejecting?

[Walter Mooney]

Clarence,

Crank the center out an inch or a little more from the tailstock, then put your widest scraper or skew or your roughing gouge (upside down) between the level center and the tailstock (I.e., perpendicular to the tailstock and ways) and then retract the live center towards the tailstock. The scraper or gouge will act as a good, solid spacer, and, should help pop the center out once you've applied enough 'pressure' to it by cranking the center back into the tailstock.

Hope that was clear enough. Good luck!