Lathe Issues

[SaturnMarkV]

I have a 70's SS Mark V.

I tried the lathe tonight, and it didn't go well. I tried with a piece of pine, squared off.

The ends were centred.

When I turned on the machine, it ran fine, then seized. I feel it may be picking up too much friction on the end point.

Has anyone else had lathe issues? Any hints for me?

[wa2crk]

A little more info would be helpful. What do you mean by the end point? The tailstock? When it seizes does the motor keep running and just the wood stop turning? Anyone who has ever turned something on a lathe has had issues.
Some other things that come to mind are,
Are the chisels sharp enough for turning?
Have you read any tutorials for turning?
Does the machine run without the wood mounted? If it does then you may have a belt tension issue.
Come back with with your answers and more questions.
Bill V

[JPG]

FWIW, if it is 'seized', it no longer turns at all.

Hopefully it is stalling/slipping.

[SaturnMarkV]

Hi folks, thanks for the help so far.

By end point, I mean the tailstock.

There was one point where the motor just stopped running. I think it was over tightened on the spindles.

I recently replaced a belt, and it's been running fine as a table saw.

I haven't read any tutorials other than the owner's manual.

[SaturnMarkV]

Yes, stalling and slipping.

[charlese]

Hi Saturn..! After reviewing your past posts, I see you have had problems with the motor sheaves. After reading your recent problems with lathe turning, I believe you still have a problem with the sliding sheave on the motor shaft. Does it still slide out and back in smoothly?

If that is working - then deal with the lathe. Assuming you are using the Shopsmith drive center - prepare the wood for that drive center. You do this by sawing an "X" corner to corner, through the center hole. The hole and the "X" should all be 1/8" deep. The dogs in the drive center will fit into the "X". This should keep the wood turning.

Also, put some beeswax on the tailstock dead center. This will prevent burning of the wood.

[roy_okc]

I highly recommend buying and using a live center rather than the dead center, along the lines of these: https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss ... Caps%2C169. I bought one from my local Woodcraft store several years ago that allowed changing the tips after I got frustrated with all sorts of problems trying to use the dead center.

[SaturnMarkV]

Thanks very much. The drive sheaves seem to be moving smoothly. There's tension, from the spring, of course, though the movement is smooth.

I expect that replacement of the speed control will be necessary at some point. At this time I'm just keeping it at one speed. I also think I'll have to clean the main (speed control) sheaves.

I'll try the "X" cut. And the wax.

Thanks for your help. Just trying to make the most of this machine. Learning to do bevel cuts was quite the experience

[Mike907]

At this time I'm just keeping it at one speed.

What speed is that? If you are leaving the Shopsmith at table saw speed (3500 rpm), that is at the high end for lathe turning, and should only be used for items up to maybe 4" diameter, and that is after the item is already round and balanced. Make sure that you are standing out of the way when starting, and wear a face shield.

Mike

[SaturnMarkV]

Oh absolutely, until I trust this machine more I don't trust being in firing range for any sort of start up.