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2 Mercury questions

Hi,

I'm new to turning. I purchased a Nova Mercury lathe and have enjoyed it a lot over the past couple of months. I've run into two problems:

1) The tailstock handwheel (I'm not sure if that's what it's called; it's on the outboard side on the tailstock spindle) doesn't move the tailstock center in and out, even though the stop pin on top is loosened. Strangely, I _can_ move the tailstock center toward the headstock with the stop pin screwed down, by turning the handwheel in the opposite direction! It's hard to turn this way, and I feel I'm doing something very, very wrong. Have I messed up the threads?

2) I bought a 3rd-party handwheel for the headstock (Best Wood Tools). It tightens when the lathe is running but spins off as the lathe decelerates when I turn it off (or turn it down--it has variable speed).

What am I doing wrong? Many thanks,

--tb

Reply to
Toby Bologna
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Hello Tony,

It sounds like the lockdown screw, which also serves to hold the tailstock spindle still so that it can be moved in and out with the handwheel, is out of the groove on the top of the tailstock quill. Carefully align the groove to the top and gently tighten the lock screw. This screw has a sort of tenon on the end that rides in that slot and keeps the quill from rotating as you turn the handwheel. This will probably fix your problem.

Most lathes with outboard screw threads and a handwheel that does not have a set screw to lock it in place will tend to unscrew when the lathe is turned off, especially if you help stop it with your hand. A had a Carbatec for several years that often unscrewed and went rolling across the floor when you turned it off. You might try putting a fiber or rubber washer on the spindle before screwing on the handwheel, make it bind a little before it starts to unscrew.

They are a fine little lathe, I've had one for three years now and am very pleased with its performance. I really believe it is the best small lathe for the money on the market.

Fred Holder

Reply to
Fred Holder

You were right on the money, Fred. the lockdown screw does need to seat in the recessed surface of the tailstock quill. Everything works great now.

Thanks a lot!

--tb

Reply to
Toby Bologna

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