- Joined
- Nov 19, 2023
- Messages
- 7
Hi all,
I recently set up my Atlas 3996 to machine(read grind) a rubber contact wheel for a mobile belt sander at work. It didnt go particularly well, but the wheel is in use and so far doing what we wanted.
Something that came up whilst I was working- I absentmindedly flipped my fwd-off-rev switch the wrong direction, spinning the spindle reverse for about 20 mins of work. During a break from the grinding smog, I ran an indicator check and noticed that my chuck had backed off 1.5-2 turns without me noticing. Ive never had this happen with "normal" turning ops, but it has been 5-6 years since I've run the lathe.
This got me thinking something again that I had debated when I originally brought the lathe home- machining a flat on the spindle nose thread and a set screw into my chucks. Ive dreamt up several other ideas, but don't see the clearance to be able to do them...
I have a new to me spindle sitting in my eBay cart, basically in case I muck up the milling job.
Has anyone done anything along these lines, if so, is it worth the effort and what surprises would I be up against?
Order of Operations:
1) determine size of setscrew & flat
1a) measure spindle thread depth
1b) measure rear stubs on most used chucks (8" 4 jaw, 5" 3jaw, future ER40)
2) spindle in v-blocks and mill vise trued to mill x axis
3) cut keyway/flat on spindle nose
4) mark spindle nose and rear exposed portion of spindle to give visual for step 5.
5) install chuck on spindle at recommended torque.
6) mark chuck stub
7) drill/ tap for setscrew
8) reinstall chuck, tighten setscrew- turn in reverse to dumb heart's content!
This is still in the 'once I have time, if it makes sense' stage, therefore I'm running it by y'all first.
Thanks,
Ian
PS. After I hit 'post' I got thinking of things that could go wrong, maybe brass/plastic setscrews would be pertinent in case of a crash (never had one, but...).
I recently set up my Atlas 3996 to machine(read grind) a rubber contact wheel for a mobile belt sander at work. It didnt go particularly well, but the wheel is in use and so far doing what we wanted.
Something that came up whilst I was working- I absentmindedly flipped my fwd-off-rev switch the wrong direction, spinning the spindle reverse for about 20 mins of work. During a break from the grinding smog, I ran an indicator check and noticed that my chuck had backed off 1.5-2 turns without me noticing. Ive never had this happen with "normal" turning ops, but it has been 5-6 years since I've run the lathe.
This got me thinking something again that I had debated when I originally brought the lathe home- machining a flat on the spindle nose thread and a set screw into my chucks. Ive dreamt up several other ideas, but don't see the clearance to be able to do them...
I have a new to me spindle sitting in my eBay cart, basically in case I muck up the milling job.
Has anyone done anything along these lines, if so, is it worth the effort and what surprises would I be up against?
Order of Operations:
1) determine size of setscrew & flat
1a) measure spindle thread depth
1b) measure rear stubs on most used chucks (8" 4 jaw, 5" 3jaw, future ER40)
2) spindle in v-blocks and mill vise trued to mill x axis
3) cut keyway/flat on spindle nose
4) mark spindle nose and rear exposed portion of spindle to give visual for step 5.
5) install chuck on spindle at recommended torque.
6) mark chuck stub
7) drill/ tap for setscrew
8) reinstall chuck, tighten setscrew- turn in reverse to dumb heart's content!
This is still in the 'once I have time, if it makes sense' stage, therefore I'm running it by y'all first.
Thanks,
Ian
PS. After I hit 'post' I got thinking of things that could go wrong, maybe brass/plastic setscrews would be pertinent in case of a crash (never had one, but...).
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