How to remove the hand wheel on a Conover lathe?

[wilburpan]

I have a Conover lathe and would like to get to the bearings to regrease/replace them. I'm stymied by one thing: I can't get the hand wheel off to remove the spindle. I'm talking about the wooden hand wheel to the left side of the headstock in the attached picture.

I think that it screws onto the spindle, and is just stuck, but I'd like to know for sure before I start breaking out the big can of whoop-butt.

Does anyone know for sure how this hand wheel goes on the lathe?

Thanks!

 

[steelguy]

Ask Ernie

Why not ask Ernie Conover himself. He is a great guy and still is very active teaching. I'm sure he would answer your question.

Phone: (440) 548-3491
info@conoverworkshops.com

Jerry

 

[wilburpan]

I did, and he did answer me. What a great guy!

As it turned out, the hand wheel is screwed on with a left hand (reverse) thread. I had been trying to get it off by turning the hand wheel clockwise, so I was on the right track. It seems that all I needed to do was to let the Liquid Wrench soak for a longer period of time, and it eventually came off.