Inexpensive face plates

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Maxpr> Can anyone recommend a source of relatively inexpensive face plates in 1 x 8

Thanks, Randy. They are indeed inexpensive, but he acknowledges that they "are not precision faceplates" and I wonder if there will be too much wobble to be used in my application?

Max

"Maxprop" wrote: (clip) "are not precision faceplates" and I wonder if there will be too much wobble (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^ If you are using it as a sanding disk, for example, the wobble will not be there after you true up the wooden disk.

You might also check the accessory/parts lists for a Harbor Freight lathe. I have found some real bargain prices on faceplates, live centers, tool rests, spur drives, etc for the HF knockoff of the Jet 1236. It uses a

I use a fixture to make these "inexpensive" faceplates - there is not a lot of wobble. You will note that I offer a machining step for more $$ - if you want the runout to be under .005, just say so - I do have a metal lathe afterall and I'm game for any excuse to use it.

On the other hand, if you just mount a piece of wood to the faceplate, true that up and then attach your sanding disk to the trued up wood, it will be perfectly true on your lathe.

you can contact me using the e-mail address displayed on my web site and continue the discussion, or you can ask here on the NG and get a range of opinions.

bill

Both Leo's and your responses point out the obvious--that I'm as green as most of the blanks I've been turning lately. Never occurred to me to true up the wood backing plate (MDF, actually), but that sounds like a perfectly logical thing to do. Or, if you really want to warm up that metal lathe . . .

I'll contact you via email, Bill. Thanks.

Max

Are you wanting the faceplates for your bowl projects or just to replace the sanding disk apparatus? If it's for your bowl projects, how big are the bowls/blanks? If not too big, heavy, out of balance, etc. or for just the sanding disk then you can just make your own faceplates for about $3 in materials.

A simple hex nut in the size you need glued into a recess in a piece of maple, for instance, is about all there is to it. True up and shape the maple to the size you need. I have several of these for general waste block, glue blocks, jam chucks, sanding disks, and light-duty bowl/vessel (under 10"x5") faceplate chores.

- Andrew

Or for a really KISS sanding disc, Max, drill a spindle (or just under) size hole in a hardwood disc, harden the hole with a coat of superglue and thread it onto the spindle. Or for a real smootch omit the glue. ;) Arch

Fortiter,

snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net (Arch) wrote in news:12892-40A21758-431@storefull-

Sometimes it helps to restate the obvious. Be absolutely sure the super glue is dry *before* threading the disk onto the spindle. :o)

LD

I don't use face plates very often anymore, I make my own wooden ones, as shown here:

Maxpr> Can anyone recommend a source of relatively inexpensive face plates in 1 x 8

The latter.

Interesting idea, and one worth trying. My next question: where does one obtain 1 1/4 x 8 or 1 x 8 hex nuts? Are these commonly available thread patterns?

Max

I actually attempted this last night, Arch, with less-than-stellar results. I apparently pressed a bit too hard on the sanding disc and it separated from the spindle, which, by the way was almost a perfect Morse #2. But I didn't use the CA glue to harden the spindle. Might try that.

Max

I get my 1 x 8 hex nuts just at the local hardware store. Lowes/Home Depot/etc. should have them too. For the 1.25 x 8 hex nuts, you might try a farm/ranch, machine shop supply or steel construction suppliers. I get really large ones for the farm equipment at the farm store. Of course, then there's always online and you'll find tons of suppliers.

- Andrew

Thanks, Andrew. Much appreciated.

Max

Guess I should explain that. After re-reading my own post it probably made no sense. What I did was turn an insert(beech) to roughly a Morse #2 taper, cut a spigot on the end, and inserted it into a snug hole in the MDF backer plate. Worked well for about three minutes, then the plate separated from the wooden spindle. So today I glued the assembly together with Gorilla. With luck it should work.

Max

if you want just the nuts, I can sell you those, or as andrew pointed out, you can chase them down yourself - I found that to get a decent price I have to buy them in quantity - by the barrel - 1X8 is easy to find, the larger ones take a little more searching

bill

================================= William, How many 1X8 nuts are in a barrel, and what's the cost per barrel?

Ken Moon Webberville, TX

I found 1x8 nuts at Lowes, but no 1 1/4x8s yet--still searching. My lathe has a 1x8 spindle, but I bought a 1x8 to 1 1/4x8 adaptor, so any further accessories I buy will mostly likely be the larger size, unless fairly inexpensive. I plan to order a few of your small faceplates soon.

Max

================================= Max, What's the reason for the adapter to a larger size? Are you planning to go to a larger lathe later on? Just trying to figure it out...

Ken Moon Webberville, TX