I've been doing some gunsmithing with my new lathe and another smith ask me today if I had ever checked the spindle for end play...I replied that I hadn't since the lathe was fairly new I assumed this was set at the factory. He went on to say I should check it by chuck some small bar stock in the chuck and tightening the tail stock chuck on the same bar,put an indicator on the face of the check and run the quill in and out and note movement of indicator.
I did this with an interapid .0005 indicator as he said it should be less than .001 and boy was I surprised when I seen .0035 each direction in and out.
So following the instructions for tightening the spindle bearings I moved the lock ring about a quarter inch radially and let the lathe run at 1100 Rpms for 20 minutes. Bearings were at 76* F and room was 62*. Checked play again and it seems that I made zero progress in eliminating any of it.
I'm I on the right track or am I chasing my tail??
Thanks in advance.
Jb
I did this with an interapid .0005 indicator as he said it should be less than .001 and boy was I surprised when I seen .0035 each direction in and out.
So following the instructions for tightening the spindle bearings I moved the lock ring about a quarter inch radially and let the lathe run at 1100 Rpms for 20 minutes. Bearings were at 76* F and room was 62*. Checked play again and it seems that I made zero progress in eliminating any of it.
I'm I on the right track or am I chasing my tail??
Thanks in advance.
Jb