Jet 1236 Outboard Thread

Howard wrote: Anybody know what thread size is used in the outboard end of a Jet 1236 lathe spindle? (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^ It is 1/2" x 12 TPI--left hand, which is not a standard thread. The standard pitch is 13 TPI. If you want to make a handwheel, you can do what I did: Buy a length of 13 TPI-LH Allthread, and cut off a piece. It will go in a few turns and bind, because it is off-pitch, but that is OK, because you want the handwheel to be tight.

I discussed this with an engineer at Jet when I first bought my lathe, and he said he had no idea why they used a non-standard pitch. It can't be to force you to buy the handwheel from them, because they don't offer one.

There are after-market handwheels available.

Leo

Thanks for the answer. Actually I'm considering making a vacuum chuck and I am working out how to get a tube into or through the spindle. Likely candidate right now is the hollow threaded rod used in lamps.

Thanks again,

Howard wrote: (clip)Actually I'm considering making a vacuum chuck and I am working out how to get a tube into or through the spindle(clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The way I did mine was to make a wooden handwheel, using a short piece of the 13 x 1/2" LH threaded stock, and drilled through it lengthwise to pass the vacuum. You can turn a recess in the side of the handwheel to receive a double-sealed ball bearing to allow the vacuum line to connect without rotating. Very easy to do and costs almost nothing.

Besides, it's nice to have a handwheel on the lathe. Only downside is you have to remove the handwheel to use the knockout.