AWGB Woodturning Forum
General Category => Tool tips & reviews => Topic started by: Bill21 on January 30, 2023, 11:23:51 AM
-
Ever since I’ve had my Axminster Lathe and SK100 chuck I’ve found the chuck “sticks” on the spindle a little bit. It’s not been a problem, I just lock the spindle, insert the chuck key and pull on it a little and the chuck easily comes free. I’ve recently bought another Chuck though, a Supernova 2 and this sticks in exactly the same way. Due to the chuck key design though it can’t be used to remove the chuck, and I hasten to say could damage the pinion even if you could. I had to resort to putting a piece of timber between the jaws to remove it as recommended in the Nova manual.
Do any of you experience the same issue and if so how do you deal with it?
I should add there are no obvious faults or burrs etc on the lathe spindle.
-
I had this problem , Made a washer out of a old plastic milk bottle fitted between the spindle and chuck , This worked for me .
-
Yes I’ve heard of the plastic washer idea. I may try that.
-
Even a piece of grease proof paper or I have used a bit of the anti corrosion brown paper that is packed with tools . The advantage is, it is not thick enough to lose the fit of the back register to the chuck body
-
The times I have had that happen with my Nova or Axminster chucks, I have used their chuck spanners (which engage in two of the key holes) to free and remove from the spindle (with the spindle locked).
-
My Supernova 2 doesn’t have any holes for a chuck spanner. The only hole is threaded for a locking screw. ;) I guess this is why the manual says to clamp a piece of wood in the jaws?
-
Hi Bill, I think a photo shows more than words what I mean. The photos show how I use the Nova chuck spanner to release my stuck SuperNova2 chuck when stuck on the spindle. The two lugs on the spanner engage with the two adjacent holes (where the key engages). This always works for me.
(http://IMG_20230130_215402392sc.jpg)
(http://IMG_20230130_215416798sc.jpg)
-
The danger with using any sort of chuck key to release a chuck that has locked onto the spindle, is that it is engaged in a brittle, cast metal gear which is not desiged for taking the sharp knock that might be needed to release it. The safer way is to simply open the jaws sufficiently to put a length of flat-bar between the jaws, across the face of the chuck, and use it as a lever. The chuck has been designed to let the jaws take such rotational forces, but the keyways haven't!
-
Try putting a washer behind the chuck as suggested above. If that solves the problem, it is possible that the thread relief in your chuck thread is not deep enough for your lathe register. It may take very careful measurement to verify this but at least it'll confirm one way or another a potential cause.
Another possibility, also solved by use of a washer, is that the metals of the chuck and the register are "locking" together - I get this with an Axi faceplate but not with anything else.
A Flora tub lid made a good thin accurate washer that doesn't affect the accuracy of the register. A pair of dividers cut out the washer accurately and quickly.
Duncan
-
The danger with using any sort of chuck key to release a chuck that has locked onto the spindle, is that it is engaged in a brittle, cast metal gear which is not desiged for taking the sharp knock that might be needed to release it. The safer way is to simply open the jaws sufficiently to put a length of flat-bar between the jaws, across the face of the chuck, and use it as a lever. The chuck has been designed to let the jaws take such rotational forces, but the keyways haven't!
Yes, agreed about the pinion.
-
Not saying this is the solution to your issue, but a common reason for chucks getting "stuck" is that they were not on tight when you started turning.
It is worth engaging the locking pin and cinching up the chuck when you put it on, then it will not overtighten when you start cutting.
-
Hi Bill,
I think it's worth reviewing your method of securing the chucks on the spindle (I agree with Pete) and also close inspection / cleaning of the register as your problem occurs across all your different makes of chucks.
-
Hi Bill,
I think it's worth reviewing your method of securing the chucks on the spindle (I agree with Pete) and also close inspection / cleaning of the register as your problem occurs across all your different makes of chucks.
I’m a machinist. The spindle is fine and I know how to put a chuck on. ;)
-
Hi Bill,
I think it's worth reviewing your method of securing the chucks on the spindle (I agree with Pete) and also close inspection / cleaning of the register as your problem occurs across all your different makes of chucks.
I’m a machinist. The spindle is fine and I know how to put a chuck on. ;)
Nice , What machine do you have , Singer , Brother , Duke , ;D
-
Hi Bill,
I think it's worth reviewing your method of securing the chucks on the spindle (I agree with Pete) and also close inspection / cleaning of the register as your problem occurs across all your different makes of chucks.
I’m a machinist. The spindle is fine and I know how to put a chuck on. ;)
Nice , What machine do you have , Singer , Brother , Duke , ;D
I’m guessing English isn’t your first language? :D
(https://i.postimg.cc/y8hctL56/72785556-D9-C9-429-D-BA58-11-D98-BE4178-B.jpg)
-
That told me ;D
-
Hi Bill, I think a photo shows more than words what I mean. The photos show how I use the Nova chuck spanner to release my stuck SuperNova2 chuck when stuck on the spindle. The two lugs on the spanner engage with the two adjacent holes (where the key engages). This always works for me.
(http://IMG_20230130_215402392sc.jpg)
(http://IMG_20230130_215416798sc.jpg)
The chuck spanner is designed so the lug you have shown going into the allen key pinion hole is meant to go into the jaw slide slot. You are then exerting any forcees onto the body of the chuck and no damage will be done.
Regarding washers, they should never be used as no matter how thin, they can introduce a wobble. The secret to preventing chucks jamming on the spindle thread is to tighten the chuck onto the spindle, thereby taking up any play. It doesn't need a great deal of force, just enough to secure it in place. Works every time, with all chucks on all lathes.
-
The chuck spanner is designed so the lug you have shown going into the allen key pinion hole is meant to go into the jaw slide slot. You are then exerting any forcees onto the body of the chuck and no damage will be done.
Well that's a very welcome revelation to me as I have always assumed that the lugs on the spanners fit into the pinion holes. A Google search revealed no guidance on the use of these spanners although I guess it should be blindingly obvious to most people (sadly up to now not to me! :-[ ) that the spanner engages with the jaw slide slots and NOT with the pinion holes. Very many thanks for highlighting that.
Tim
-
Hi Tim,
Glad to be of help. You are not the first turner who wasn't aware of this.
-
The secret to preventing chucks jamming on the spindle thread is to tighten the chuck onto the spindle, thereby taking up any play. It doesn't need a great deal of force, just enough to secure it in place. Works every time, with all chucks on all lathes.
That’s never worked for me, and I can’t do any more than screw the chuck firmly onto the spindle. Axminster sell a dedicated chuck removal spanner so I’m guessing it’s a common enough problem. Nova sell one as well but it doesn’t fit my chuck.
The problem with sage advice is that the author often has no idea exactly what equipment others are using.
-
It may be worth mentioning that I have a 150mm faceplate that unscrews itself when stopping the lathe, even with a small blank. Axminster, in their wisdom, manufacture this faceplate without a locking screw. Fortunately I have the tools to drill and tap a hole for an M6 socket set screw to keep it in place.
-
Bill if this happened to me (and it has done in the past) I would get a brass wire brush and clean all the threads. The least little bit of rubbish can cause this, always try to work clean. I would make sure there are no burrs on any thread or face and add the washer as others have suggested. Make sure the chuck is fully "home" before starting the lathe.
-
Heavy lubicating oil on the threads when you put the chuck on. Washer of some kind between chuck and read of spindle, preferably two thin ones then they release easily. Open chuck and put a bar across the jaws, close jaws onto bar, lock spindle & release chuck with the bar easily. Even better still, get a pair of soft jaw pump pliers and hold the shaft with Thor, they won’t marr it up and you won’t bend your locking pin. They’re really designed for holding the shaft in place, not endlessly levering against.