monophoto
Member
So I was turning a spindle using a brand-X morse taper steb-style dead center in the headstock when the spindle came off the lathe.
Plan A says turning between centers is the safest way to turn because the workpiece is locked between centers. Perhaps, but not in this case. I suspect the live center wasn't properly seated in the dimple in the end of the turning - I had turned of the lathe to check the diameter of the spindle against the drilled mortise that it was meant to fit into, and when I turned it on again it made a rattling sound, but then flew off the lathe before I could react and turn the lathe off.
Plan B says that steb centers are generally foolproof - if something happens, the piece simply spins between centers with the teeth in the steb drive cutting a circular groove in the end of the piece. Perhaps, but not in this case.
Plan C says that the pin in the steb center is held in place with a grub screw. Perhaps, but not in this case - apparently, the screw was loose, and the spring forced the pin out of the drive and it disappeared into the shavings around my lathe.
Plan D says that if I lose something made of steel in those shavings, I simply reach over to grab the Harbor Freight cup magnet that is mounted on a handle and wrapped in a plastic bag - and just wave it over the shavings to find the lost item. Perhaps, but not in this case - I couldn't find the pin when I cleaned up under and around the lathe, but I didn't pull it away from the wall and filter through the shavings back there. I'm sure it will turn up someday - - -
So that brings us to Plan E - the pin measured just under 1/4" in diameter, so I cut off a length of 1/4" steel rod, mounted it in a collet chuck, and used a file to shape it into a new pin for the steb drive.
It's all part of the fun of turning!
Plan A says turning between centers is the safest way to turn because the workpiece is locked between centers. Perhaps, but not in this case. I suspect the live center wasn't properly seated in the dimple in the end of the turning - I had turned of the lathe to check the diameter of the spindle against the drilled mortise that it was meant to fit into, and when I turned it on again it made a rattling sound, but then flew off the lathe before I could react and turn the lathe off.
Plan B says that steb centers are generally foolproof - if something happens, the piece simply spins between centers with the teeth in the steb drive cutting a circular groove in the end of the piece. Perhaps, but not in this case.
Plan C says that the pin in the steb center is held in place with a grub screw. Perhaps, but not in this case - apparently, the screw was loose, and the spring forced the pin out of the drive and it disappeared into the shavings around my lathe.
Plan D says that if I lose something made of steel in those shavings, I simply reach over to grab the Harbor Freight cup magnet that is mounted on a handle and wrapped in a plastic bag - and just wave it over the shavings to find the lost item. Perhaps, but not in this case - I couldn't find the pin when I cleaned up under and around the lathe, but I didn't pull it away from the wall and filter through the shavings back there. I'm sure it will turn up someday - - -
So that brings us to Plan E - the pin measured just under 1/4" in diameter, so I cut off a length of 1/4" steel rod, mounted it in a collet chuck, and used a file to shape it into a new pin for the steb drive.
It's all part of the fun of turning!