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need help

G

grandy

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Oct 16, 2006
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I feel foolish having to ask this. A few months ago I purchased a used Jet Lathe. First time putting on the chuck the other day. Did not look at the lathe very well. Started to take the chuck off, looked for the 2 wrenches to do it with. Had none, ok, I have more. Now the foolish part. It doesn't take the wrenches to remove the chuck and I don't know how to get it off. Looked in my manual and showed nothing about using the chuck. First lathe was a Harbor Freight, and used 2 wrenches to remove the chuck.
Please help with advise.
Sandy
 
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[FONT=&quot]Hi Grandy,
See if you have a 3/8" or 5/16" steel rod (maybe one came with the lathe to knock the drive center out of the spindle). Insert it in the little hole in the chuck, and a second rod into the little hole in the outside of the spindle. Then just unscrew the chuck. If you only have one rod, use it on the chuck, and hold the spindle hand wheel with your left hand.
Gil[/FONT]
 
Open the jaws a little and use them as a fulcrum point with a rod, wrench etc.
 
welcome

welcome grandy, we have all been there, you might want to get a craft supplies catalogue (1 800 551 8876) and on page 44 there are some no-lock spindle washers

there has been some discussions that they cause some vibrations, but you can get chuck off with them,, that is most times 😱😀

these washers use a special plastic unlike pressed-fiber washers
 
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Put the end of 1x2 in the chuck and close the jaws on it so the the 1x2 becomes a handle.
lock the spindle and pull.

The spindle doesn't have a nut so it will have a little hole in it for a rod like the knockout bar or it may have a button to push or some other device that drops a pin into the spindle or something connected to it that will lock the spindle in place.

unrecommended by the chuck manufactures but done by just about everyone is to use the chuck's key or tommy bar to unmount the chuck. Need to lock the spindle.

happy Turning,
Al
 
WOW !!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
it;s true AAW members are a family and there to help. Was getting frustrated, wrote my request and went to the grocery store.
Got home and WOW, great suggestions. Going in the shop now and give it a try.
Getting it used I did not get a knock out bar, however I had an extra from my last lathe.
Will let you know if it works.
THANKS again, Grandy
 
the chuck is a Nova Midi if that makes a difference.
grandy
 
I've been there!

I don't know what model you are talking about but I had the same problem with my 1442.
The day I bought it home (new) I got a chuck stuck on it.
The suggestions above are good for holding the chuck but holding the shaft is a big challenge.
HERE IS WHAT NOT TO DO:
Use the index button: this button interposes tangs on the pulleys in the drive they are AL and will break off with even the lightest of force.

Do not lock the spindle with the index screw (three holes in the casting at the threaded end of the casting) the casting with break with almost any pressure.

I ended up replacing the casting and the internal pulley assy, not a fun job 🙁.

___________________

After damaging my new lathe i made a clamp with 2 pieces of 2x4 that I clamped on the hand wheel.
Rotate the lever in the chuck jaws until it interposed the bed I then used the 2x4 to break loose the chuck.
There isn't really any good and safe way to grip the spindle.
Since that time I made (welded) a spanner that fits the shaft just inside the hand wheel.

If need be I can post a picture of the wrench I made. BTW you will need one of these if you ever have to replace the belt. I was very annoyed that Jet didn't provide this as part of the tool set.

I use washers on all my lathes with no problem, but I know this is a controversial subject.

Hope this helps

www.turnedoutright.com
 
Hi, just one more thing to add after the fact. You can make washers to put on the spindle to prevent locking. Get a gallon plastic milk jug and using a flat part of the jug, drill a hole in the plastic the size to fit the spindle. clamp the plastic between 2 thin pieces of plywood to drill the hole.then trim the outside with scissors or a utility knife. As was said, washers arent recommended, but dont think those people ever had a stuck chuck.hopefully helpful, Max
 
I managed to get the chuck off with everyones help. I did have a washer made of milk carton, but not with plywood in the center,(I do now). A pic of the wrench may help in the future, or I should say hopefully I will make it and never use it.
I was just glad to hear others have had the experience as well and knew what to do.
Thanks again everyone for your help.
Grandy
 
chuck lock?

You do know that the plastic washer doesn't completely eliminate the problem, right. The real problem is that the threads of the chuck and the threads of the lathe don't match. There is nothing that will fix that. The washer just gives you a buffer, which can sometimes lead to the problem. Good advice is never, ever, snap a chuck into place. Hand tighten it and leave it alone. Snapping leads to cross-threading. Leaving a gap leads to cross-threading. A buffer may.
Just pointing out the obvious, that's what I get paid for.
 
Spindle Washers

If you experience vibration, you will find it most noticeable if you're holding something long/thin in your chuck. For example, turning a finial held in pin jaws, or a bottlestopper. That's when I discovered the vibration - it was evident on the turning. I had a very subtle swirl pattern on the surface, that I could not turn (or sand) away. This is of course after the tailstock has been taken away because I'm finishing the top/tip.

That was a few years ago, and I've since removed all washers, and now very carefully thread the chucks on the lathe and handtighten only.

Oh yeah, and welcome to the addiction😀 You're among friends here😀😀
 
Grady,

The Nova Midi "chuck key" and "wrench" is 2 straight steel rods of 5/16" diameter, 4½" long each. They are called Tommy bars.
You don't need the washer. Always hand tighten the chuck into the spindle first. Never let the chuck slam into a spinning lathe. Over tightening would deform the washer and cause more problem down the road.

You should also make yourself a knock out bar for removing the accessories in the Morse taper in headstock. If you have a Jet mini lathe, the knock out bar is also 5/16" diameter. Make it at least 7" long.

Gordon
 
Washers & breaking loose chucks

This isn't the first time I've been in this discussion. Here is what my experience has shown including my personal conclusions.
  • It is good advice to hand tighten a chuck as was previously stated. Its even better to tighten it with a wrench, but I am often to lazy to do this.
  • Home made washers tend to create wobble problems, although I haven't tired the milk bottle trick. The machined ones from Woodcraft aren't that expensive relative to the problems they create. Better yet don't use one. You need a very flat material with consistent thickness between the chuck and the seat of the spindle.
  • In all cases and in other than small pieces under light loads, chucks will stick. Every chuck I have (4), stick on every lathe I have (3). Even with a washer chucks can be hard to remove. Its not that they are stuck its that they are tight and without some leverage they can be difficult to loosen.
  • For the best accuracy it is best not to use a washer.
  • With good leverage on the chuck and the spindle you can easily break loose the chuck.
  • I made a breaker bar that fits in through the chucks key hole and contacts the shaft adapter. That provides solid leverage at the chuck.The problem is good leverage on the spindle.
  • On my stubby the spindle has a flat and a spanner comes with the machine, so its no problem.
  • On the jet its another problem. There is no easy way to grip the spindle...... thats where the shop made spanner comes in.
I will see if I can get time to post pictures on my site and let you know here when I do.

www.turnedoutright.com
 
Glad to hear that you got it off. The one thing that I do is a light lubrication from time to time and hand tighten only. Some times bad catches cause it to tighten, very tight if it is not up aganist the shoulder. I do not use the washer thing.(have used it but did not like it)
 
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