Stuck Morse Taper (Pen Mandrel)

[Dan Stuewe]

I've been neglecting my lathe lately and I think it took it personally. I had left the pen mandrel in the head stock and now it won't come out, even with significant persuasion using the steel rod and hammer. I've tried to use a few drops of 3-1 oil for the last couple of days, but it still isn't budging. What advice can you give me (of course I am planning on showing my daughters how to turn over the Thanksgiving holiday).

Thanks,

[Gordon Seto]

Dan,

Try "BP Blast", a penetrating oil, let soak in. If it is a mini lathe, lift the headstock side up.
Heating the spindle with hair dryer.
Good luck.
You may need a MT reamer to clean up the hole.

Gordon

[John Hart]

Gordon...did you mean "PB Blaster"? I agree it is good stuff.

[Gordon Seto]

John,

You are right. Did a Google search, it is exactly what I meant.

Gordon

[Josiah Bartlett]

This may be impossible with your style of lathe, but automotive tie rod ends and ball joints have similar tapered seats and tend to really stick. The preferred method of removal is to tap the side of the "eye" with a big hammer. It pushes it out of round and forces the taper out of the seat. If you have threads around the head stock it may not be a good idea, and it may also be hard on your bearings, but it usually works.

You could also try a can of electronics "freeze spray" on the mandrel, it should shrink it and pop it loose.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I am not sure how to get it out maybe some penetrating oil or liquid wrench always has worked pretty good for me but would not even ever think of using a hammer period. You are just asking for trouble. If you hit that it may take your spindle out of round or ruin the spindle and or your bearings.

[Dan Stuewe]

Just wanted let everyone know that the PB Blaster did the trick (along with a hammer - not on the spindle, on the knockout rod).

The girls broke me down and I showed them how to turn this afternoon...

[Gordon Seto]

Glad that works out and the joy on your daughter's face, priceless.

Just a safety precaution about her long hair around spinning machinery.

Gordon

[Dean Thomas]

Just a safety precaution about her long hair around spinning machinery.
And to maybe get a pallet or two to stack up so that she can get the spindle closer to her elbow than her nose. :) Safer, saner, and will make for a much more pleasant turning experience for the youngsters. We did that for the turning experiences with the youth at the AAW. We built platforms that were pallet thickness and used one or two of them for the really small kids.

Great smile, though. Makes it all worth it, yes?

[John Hart]

Itty-Bitty-Bonkers!!! Now them's my kinda gals! :)

[Paul Engle]

Yea , elbow not nose, but the smile tells it all , way cool.Good work " dad ".

[Bernie Weishapl]

Glad it worked out Dan. That is so cool.