1. Home
  2. Woodturning Crafts
  3. jet mini lathe problem

jet mini lathe problem

i just received a jet jml-1014 mini-lathe as an early Christmas present, i have noticed the pens i have turned are oval and off center. i can feel vibration on the piece as i turn it, it seems like the shaft is off center, the hand wheel also is rotating off center. i have cleaned the taper, tried different mandrels, different live centers. i do not have a dial indicator yet so i cannot say how far things are off but i would guess around 1/16-1/32 inch on the right end of the shaft and around

1/8 inch or more on the hand wheel end. anybody have any suggestions as to what the problem could be? i am going to call jet tomorrow morning but i am looking for advise before i call.

snipped-for-privacy@buckeye-express.com

formatting link

Reply to
Jeremy Hopkins
Loading thread data ...

jeremy wrote: (clip) would guess around 1/16-1/32 inch on the right end of the shaft and around 1/8 inch or more on the hand wheel end. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^ Runout in the handwheel may not be important, unless it originates in the spindle. Your problem could be due to spindle runout. When you refer to

1/16 to 1/32 runout, how are you judging it? I recommend you bring your toolrest up very close, and turn the lathe slowly by hand.

Another test I would try is to insert the pen mandrel, and leave the tailstock end free. Turn the lathe by hand, and see whether the free end "orbits." If it does not, you problem is probably due to excessive tailstock pressure, as has been suggested by Chuck. If it does, it could be a curved mandrel, or a bad spindle. To determine which it is, turn the mandrel 180 degrees in the spindle, and see whether the runout at the end of the mandrel changes sides.

Or, if you have a drill bit with a Morse taper shank, insert that, and see whether it runs true.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

Is your tailstock staying tight while you turn pens? Check to make sure that the set screw is engaging the groove on the back side of the quill.

Have you snugged it up to the mandrel, __but not too tight__? If you put too much pressure on the pen mandrel, it will cause it to bow, and make your pens go oval. You only need to tighten it up enough so it makes the bearings in the live center engage. Also, are you using the correct bushing for the model of pen you are turning?

To see if the tailstock is out of alignment, push the tailstock up to the headstock and see if the pins in the drive center and the live center line up with each other.

Finally, make sure you have the belt on the appropriate wheel, ie. the one that is directly above and below one another, rather than crossed over. I suppose it's possible that this could make the motor vibrate.

That's about all I can think of at the moment...give those a try. I'm going out and turn on mine in a few minutes.

-- Chuck *#:^) chaz3913(AT)yahoo(DOT)com Anti-spam sig: please remove "NO SPAM" from e-mail address to reply. <

September 11, 2001 - Never Forget

Reply to
Chuck

Reply to
Jeremy Hopkins

Wow, I gotta get some sleep. After that other thread, I mis-read this one. I was thinking it was strange you had a brand new lathe, and your first project was turning a penis. :)

(Following the thread with interest, but unable to contribute anything useful. SWMBO still has my JET mini is still stashed in Mom's closet somewhere. It's a feminine conspiracy I tell ya!)

Reply to
Silvan

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.