jet mini problem

[Chris Oakley]

The face plate for my jet mini is frozen tight. I cannot unscrew it, even with the provided tool. Any suggestions?

[Jim Becker]

Tap it gently several times around the outside of the part that screws on, lock the spindle and try with the wrench again. Once you have it off, get one of the plastic rings that are designed to prevent this problem or just use an inexpensive o-ring for the same thing. Face plates that lock up are bottoming out on the spindle. The ring helps to prevent that from happening and eliminates the friction that you have where the faceplate meets the lathe.

[Richard Allen]

Hi Chris

Try again. It isn't like the faceplate welded itself to the spindle.

Put the knock out bar in the hole provided on the side of the spindle up near the headstock. Let the spindle turn so that the bar is resing against the bed of the lathe. Now that the spindle can't rotate (in the desired direction) concentrate on getting the faceplate lose. You may have to use a pipe wrench to gain enough mechanical advantage.

http://members.cox.net/gyniahouse/JetMiniFaceplateRemoval.jpg

Next time put a thin plastic washer between the bearing surface of the spindle and the back of the faceplate. You can cut a washer out of the lid of a coffie can or the side of a milk jug.

Thanks