hawkeye10 Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 I bought a step drive (I think that is the name) and I can't turn without it catching. It is stopping when it shouldn't. How much pressure can I put on the headstock with the tailstock? My lathe is an old spindle lathe with a 1/2 HP motor. I was practicing turning a small leg (8.5") and getting nowhere. Oh yes, I was turning pine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Buskirk Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Hawkeye, Are you talking about a step pulley drive? Is the belt slipping when it stops turning? If not your motor might be weak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Buskirk Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Might be the motor is wired for 220 Volts, and you're trying to run it on 120 Volts. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen that. It would seem like it develops full power but, stalls when you put a load on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 A while back you asked about a safety drive spur. Is that what you are referring to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Is your blank already round? If not, maybe you are trying to take to big of a bite. A very light touch is all you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 I feel you are talking about a "Steb Center". It is meant to do what you say it is doing if you get a catch. It should let the turned piece to stop rather than give you the jolt a catch usually renders. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 11 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said: Might be the motor is wired for 220 Volts, and you're trying to run it on 120 Volts. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen that. It would seem like it develops full power but, stalls when you put a load on it. Larry I will check that out today even tho I don't think it's wired for 220 but you never know. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 8 hours ago, HandyDan said: I feel you are talking about a "Steb Center". It is meant to do what you say it is doing if you get a catch. It should let the turned piece to stop rather than give you the jolt a catch usually renders. Thanks, Dan, I was thinking it was pronounced "step" when it really is "steb". Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 3 minutes ago, hawkeye10 said: Thanks, Dan, I was thinking it was pronounced "step" when it really is "steb". I forgot to say they don't work well in pine. Too soft. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 3 hours ago, HandyDan said: I forgot to say they don't work well in pine. Too soft. I found that to be true about pine. I had a piece of hedge apple and put that in there so I am doing better now. I also found my tailstock is moving toward the rear when I tighten it up on what I am turning. Am I putting to much pressure on it? I took it off and adjusted the two nuts on the bottom but that didn't do anything. I tried to move it with my hands and could not. I really tried hard. Plane Sawn: Plain sawn lumber is the most common type of cut. The annular rings are generally 30 degrees or less to the face of the board; The resulting wood displays a cathedral pattern on the face of the board.">PS ; Did you know those drive centers are sharp? Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 15 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said: Might be the motor is wired for 220 Volts, and you're trying to run it on 120 Volts. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen that. It would seem like it develops full power but, stalls when you put a load on it. Larry, it's a 115 volt only motor. It can be wired to run in reverse so I might look into that later. It would be nice for sanding. Larry Buskirk and Cal 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 1 hour ago, hawkeye10 said: Am I putting to much pressure on it? You need to hold the wood tight enough to the steb center for the teeth to bite into the wood. Remove the tail stock and check the bottom. Make sure it is clean. Sometimes wood dust can build up and get fused to the metal. Also check the clamp piece under the ways. If it is bent replace it. It needs to hold tight too. 1 hour ago, hawkeye10 said: I took it off and adjusted the two nuts on the bottom but that didn't do anything. It is possible those nuts are too tight and the lever mechanism isn't staying tight. From loose to tight the handle should move as close to 45° as possible without going over center. If it goes over center you will know it because the handle will get loose again. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted November 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2018 4 hours ago, HandyDan said: You need to hold the wood tight enough to the steb center for the teeth to bite into the wood. Remove the tail stock and check the bottom. Make sure it is clean. Sometimes wood dust can build up and get fused to the metal. Also check the clamp piece under the ways. If it is bent replace it. It needs to hold tight too. It is possible those nuts are too tight and the lever mechanism isn't staying tight. From loose to tight the handle should move as close to 45° as possible without going over center. If it goes over center you will know it because the handle will get loose again. Thanks, Dan. I know the clamp is clean because I cleaned it when I first got the lathe. I will post about the rest of your suggestions in the mourning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted November 17, 2018 Report Share Posted November 17, 2018 I had the same trouble with my Delta lathe. The tailstock would slide on the ways when I applied pressure. I found that I couldn't get enough torque on the short lever used to tighten the tailstock down. I made an extension handle that slips over the original handle. It makes the total length about twice the original. Much easier to operate and provides more torque/pressure. I split the lower inch or so of the hollowed handle and used a hose clamp to secure it to the original handle. Cal and hawkeye10 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.