My live center is hot!

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brownsfn2

brownsfn2

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Jun 23, 2011
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Plain City, OH
I just purchased this live center from Grizzly:

G9361 Heavy-Duty Triple Bearing Live Center MT2

I have been using it for just a few days and it gets hot when I use it. Almost too hot to touch. It is one of those livecenters where only the center moves and not the outer housing.

It does have a screw to remove to lubricate the bearings but I would think it would not need this right away would it?

Anyone else have this one?
 
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I don't have that one, but if it has a screw for adding lube, try it out with a half teaspoon of gear oil. Shouldn't be getting THAT hot. Just my guess.
 
Are you putting to much pressure on the tail stock when you snug it up?? Doesn't have to be tight, only enough to turn the blank. Or as Chuck suggests, see if the lube has dried or is low. Also spin the live center slowely by hand to feel for any drag or if any binding happens. Call Grizzle and have them send you a new one. Explain what is happening, they may have an answer for you. Jim S
 
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A triple bearing, heavy duty live centre should be able to take a heavy load and not get hot. Since this is new, I recommend returning it. I suspect the bearings are not aligned properly and that is pre-loading the bearing balls. It should not need lube, unless they missed lubricating it. Whatever the cause, it likely will not live long, return it.
 
I have a slightly different take on this. The live center may be meant for metal work where loads are higher, but the RPM speed is much lower. Grease can heat up at high speeds.

Grizzly Tech support is very good, so call them and discuss the matter.
 
I had one that was getting quite warm, I took it to a machinist and he told me that I was likely running it faster than it was designed to go. He told me to stick with higher quality ones and they would not do that. I have a new one but no lathe until me new lathe gets here!
 
Never had a live center run hot.

I think I'd contact Grizzly and ask them before doing anything or using it much.
 
When I started turning between centers, I ordered a live center from JohnnyCNC Reviews: MT2 live center [MT2LC-SBG] - $64.00 : Penturners Products!

and it has been great. I turn at all speeds and it never gets hot. It may cost a bit more, but the few dollars difference will sure feel like a good investment if/when the one you have fails when you need it most to finish an important pen or other project.

Just a thought...

Jim Smith
 
Thanks for all the replies. I am pretty sure I am going to return it. I already marked it up though. Hope they still accept it. I think that it was mislabeled. The manual says 3000 rpm max. I run at 4000. I think that might be the problem.
 
Ron,
Yes I have tried that one. and a LOT of what's out there.
My luck was that if it's made in China I was having about a 50% out of the box garbage rate.
Rough bearings, noisy bearings, tight gritty bearings, lube oozing out excessively like the seals were trash, getting smoking hot...you name it.
I have one on my lathe now, made in Taiwan, not a minutes trouble with it. And I've seen a lot of the Taiwanese that were all good.
The screw, in the back of the one you have-had; yes you can add gear oil or the like.
It's a fix for a while if you need to.
put it point down overnight and let it seep in well.
The ways on my Jet 1014 are perfectly spaced to hold one point down and level.
 
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