[pitchwest]

Hi. I just bought my first lathe. It's older. The non-motor side has a whatever that pin is called, but does not move. So I' burn my wood.

The motor side, the part has a pin in the middle and four teeth for gripping. I'm turning Purple Heart. The grip sometimes cuts through the wood rather than gripping it. I've even tried hammering it on to get the teeth deep.

I'd like a self centering grip. I have a circular pad that will screw on to the motor side. It has holes so I can screw wood on to it. I've seen guys use this for the outside of bowls. It has four slots. I was wondering if there was attachments I could buy to make this into a self centering grip?

 

[Walleye977]

I'm in the same boat I bought a older craftsman where the motor side spur screws on trying to find one going to be tough. How does your spur the pin with 4 teeth attach to yours. Mind is 3/4 screw on type.

 

[pitchwest]

That's the same as mine. 3/4" threads. The other side is screw on too. The lathe came with a set of chisels. I just broke one. I may have had the angle a bit low, but still. Cheap metal! I wonder if I can just buy some chunks of steel and make my own.

 

[Lilty]

Yes you can some chunks of steel and make your own.
You can buy some tools at Habor Freight or Penn State Ind. that are inexpensive.

 

[Manuka Jock]

Just to make life easier


Parts ...... and ...... Names

The motor side = The Headstock
The non-motor side = The Tailstock
The thing in between them = The Banjo and Tool Rest
The circular pad that will screw on to the motor side = The Faceplate
The part has a pin in the middle and four teeth for gripping = Spur Drive
The pin that does not does not move = (tailstock) Dead Center
The self centering grip = Self Centering 4 Jaw Chuck
The base of the lathe = The Bed , or The ways
The lathe operator =

and welcome to the madness :thumbsup:

 

[NCPaladin]

For the tailstock and dead center. Folks normally used a bit of wax in the divot to not burn the wood. Just a piece of old candle will do.

For your drive center (four prong) you can hammer them in. Do not use a metal hammer. Normally, if for spindle work, cut a cross hatch on the end with a saw about 1/8 deep. This will give you the center and a space for the prongs to seat into will minimum effort.
For a larger item (where you can’t cut across) find your center and mark with the point. Use a chisel to clear some wood, again 1/8-1/4 deep. Do not cut a V. If you look at your drive center one side of each prong is angled and one side is flat; the flat side is what provides the drive. If you cut a V with your chisel it can ride out easier. Instead cut straight down then clear the chip from the other side. It will look like this I/ … make sure your flats of the cuts mate to the flats of your spur.