- Joined
- Jan 4, 2021
- Messages
- 918
Cross posted to PM.
About a week or so ago, my 13" South Bend started chattering like crazy. It's REALLY bad. And I am at a loss as to why. I've owned this lathe for 3 years and never had any serious issues with it.
I attached a video of the bearing clearance checks as well as some video of cutting a piece of mild steel - a piece I have machined on in the past with no issues. I've tried several pieces of stock and can't seem to figure this out.
What I have checked:
Help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!
About a week or so ago, my 13" South Bend started chattering like crazy. It's REALLY bad. And I am at a loss as to why. I've owned this lathe for 3 years and never had any serious issues with it.
I attached a video of the bearing clearance checks as well as some video of cutting a piece of mild steel - a piece I have machined on in the past with no issues. I've tried several pieces of stock and can't seem to figure this out.
What I have checked:
- Spindle bearing clearances. Within tolerance (.0007" to .0010"). If any more shim is removed, the spindle binds up.
- No detectable fore and aft spindle play.
- The spindle is being lubricated. The reservoirs are full.
- Swapped the 3-jaw for a 4-jaw with the same issues (No spindle collet setup for this lathe)
- Checked the headstock bolts and they are tight
- Screws attaching the saddle to the apron are tight.
- Checked the cross slide gib. It was tight. It has some wear so a shim was added just in case.
- Compound gib is fine. Tightened it to the point it's difficult to move. Problem persists.
- There's backlash in the cross slide and compound lead screws, but not that much that it's concerning. No change since it's been in this shop.
- Swapped QCTP's with my other lathe.
- Swapped compounds with the other lathe. No luck.
- Checked the saddle gib and it's tight as it can be.
- Tried varying spindle speeds and turning speeds with no significant change in surface finish.
- Tried three different insert geometries that have been perfect for me in the past.
Help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!
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