What Kind of Adapter? - Rockwell/Beaver 3401A

[Allan Phinney]

Hi,

I am relatively new to wood turning and I would like to start with some bowls and plates.

I have a faceplate that came from a craftsman lathe I do not own anymore.

I have just purchased a Rockwell/Beaver 3401A lathe and discovered the faceplate from my old craftsman lathe does not thread onto the Rockwell lathe.

Is there some kind of adapter I can buy so I don't have to buy new faceplates?

I have attached pictures of the craftsman faceplate and also the threads on the Rockwell.

I would also like to buy a chuck for the lathe but am unsure what to buy.

Thanks

 

[Vern Crandell]

Allan, you need to know the diameter and thread pitch of both the spindle and the faceplate that you are trying to adapt it to. A machine shop or mechanic may be able to help you with that, if you don't know. Oneway manufacturing in Stratford, ON makes some adapters. They may make one that would work for you but you need to know the sizes. They also make very good chucks and multiple sizes of adapters to fit them.
Hope this helps.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Supposedly the old Rockwell/Beaver lathe has a 7/8-14 RH thread on the inboard side of the head stock.
If you know the model of Craftsman lathe you had you can look up the specs and determine the threads on
your face plate. It might be cheaper to find a face plate that has the 7/8-14 thread, a bushing/adapter/reducer
may cost as much as a used face plate if you can find the correct one.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

Keep in mind, that when you add an adapter, you also add another variable in tolerance, meaning that an adapter may throw things off a bit. And, if the adapter has a longer projection to it, the untidy tolerance gets even worse. If you can get a chuck, like a Oneway, that has a built in adapter, you're better off.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Allen the Original Beaver lathe had a MT in the spindle, when Rockwell bought the Co. they changed that to a solid shaft, kept the original tread and spindle sizes.

I Pulled some info out of the Beaver and Rockwell manual info I have.




If you go to the Canadian woodworkers forum you will find a lot more info on these lathes, as there are many still being used by turners and wood workers 🙂

 

[Mike Johnson]

Busybeetools.com lists a 7/8x14 6" lathe face plate for under $15.00
If you search Ebay for a while you may find a face plate with that thread.

 

[john lucas]

Looks like it's either 3/4x16 to me. You can buy a nut that size from the hardware and check it to see. If so it's easy to get an adaptor or depending on what chuck you buy you can get an insert that size to fit. OH and you don't need a chuck. I turned bowls for many years with nothing but a faceplate. Just ask and we will explain how to use it.

 

[Allan Phinney]

Thanks Everyone for the response!

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Looks like it's either 3/4x16 to me. You can buy a nut that size from the hardware and check it to see. If so it's easy to get an adaptor or depending on what chuck you buy you can get an insert that size to fit. OH and you don't need a chuck. I turned bowls for many years with nothing but a faceplate. Just ask and we will explain how to use it.

Like the manual spells out, ¾” X 16 outboard and ⅞” X 14 inboard, no need for anything else, here in Canada there all kinds of these in use every day as they are well made and low cost, just that solid headstock spindle can be a pain, and yes lots of faceplates to be had and also chucks that use inserts like Oneway Basic or Talon and others.

 

[Mike Brazeau]

Welcome to the AAW Forum Allan. There is also a wealth of knowledge at the home of the largest congregation of Beaver tool owners, particularly 3400 series lathes at Canadianwoodworking.com They are a very hospitable group. Leo, who posted here, is a great example of its membership. In order to view any photos in threads you do need to join. I have been a member for over 15 years and have received nothing of malice as a result. https://forum.canadianwoodworking.com/forum/woodworking/turning

I would also recommend just picking up a faceplate at Busy Bee or perhaps Lee Valley. An adapter is going to cost you way more. A great addition to your lathe would be a chuck. My recommendation is the Talon from Oneway with the adapter for your lathe and Number two jaws. Probably more than you paid for the lathe but opens the doors to so many projects and opportunities. In the late '90's, Purchase of a Oneway Stronghold chuck for an old Delta Rockwell Homecraft I had for over 35 years reawakened my interest in turning, turning (npi) it into an obsession. That is why I am here!

 

[Allan Phinney]

I stopped into a shop that sells bolts nuts etc and bought a:

3/4" 16 TPI Nut
7/8" 14 TPI Nut

The 7/8" Nut worked on the inboard!

I think I will buy the 7/8x14 6" faceplate from Busybeetools.com as there is one located in Nova Scotia. Currently on sale for $13.99 Canadian.

I tried the 3/4" 16 TPI Nut on the outboard put it did not go on, so I'm not quite sure what that one is.

I will probably invest in the chuck as well.

Thanks!

 

[Tom Gall]

I tried the 3/4" 16 TPI Nut on the outboard put it did not go on, so I'm not quite sure what that one is.

Most likely the outboard thread is a LH (left handed) thread.

 

[Allan Phinney]

My recommendation is the Talon from Oneway with the adapter for your lathe and Number two jaws. Probably more than you paid for the lathe but opens the doors to so many projects and opportunities.

Mike, would this be the chuck you are recommending?
https://oneway.ca/Talon-Chuck-(Complete)

 

[Mike Brazeau]

Yes, that is it. If you get bitten by the bug, you can always get another taper adapter for it too when you upgrade your lathe. Tell them which lathe you have and they will supply correct adapter.

 

[Allan Phinney]

Yes, that is it. If you get bitten by the bug, you can always get another taper adapter for it too when you upgrade your lathe. Tell them which lathe you have and they will supply correct adapter.

Thanks Mike!