Carriage Position

[gracej45]

Sorry my first attempt did not go very well.

I have a new Mark 7 (4/25). The carriage will not get any closer than 4" from the right base, Why? I have attached a picture that shows it. There is also a Power Lift system installed that works fine.

Can anyone tell what I need to do to fix it. In going through the set up or alignment in the users manual several of the things such as align the miter slot gauge slots was way off (0.035).

Your help would be appreciated.

Jon

[Matanuska]

I’ve found that tightening the bolts on the Power Lift bracket can push the tubes enough out of alignment to cause the carriage to bind when moved far to the right. I loosened the bolts to ease the bind and then carefully retorqued. Carriage still wont go all the way to the right but it’s better than it was.

[chapmanruss]

Jon,

I have a Mark 7 upgraded from a Mark V with the Lift Asist. I can slide the Carriage all the way against the Lift Asist Bracket without binding as shown in my picture below. I would suggest trying, as Matanuska suggested, loosening the bracket after disconnecting the gas cylinder to check if the Carriage can slide closer to the right. Then retighten the bolts and check again.

Note: it is easier to disconnect the Gas Cylinder from the Bracket when up in Drill Press position.

I know having the Lift Asist is a great help when going into Drill Press position especially on a Mark 7 but is a hinderance when tilting the other way.

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Lathe Points.jpg (101.26 KiB) Viewed 1469 times

The picture above was actually taken to show how close the Lathe Drive and Live Tailstock Center get together without the Quill Extended. The Live Center has the Extension attached making it longer.

[gracej45]

Thanks, will try today. Have to remove the gas tub anyway, not working correct. Have to send it back to SS.
Will let you know if it works.

[Matanuska]

The picture above was actually taken to show how close the Lathe Drive and Live Tailstock Center get together without the Quill Extended. The Live Center has the Extension attached making it longer.

Russ - Is this what your live center extension looks like? I was thinking about getting one before the prices go up but I don’t understand why it has threads or how it would attach to my live center below.

IMG_2916.png (184.25 KiB) Viewed 1418 times

IMG_2917.jpeg (247.45 KiB) Viewed 1418 times

[gracej45]

Matanuska suggestion worked. Once the bolts were loosen everything works.

Thanks for all your help.
Jon

[JPG]

The picture above was actually taken to show how close the Lathe Drive and Live Tailstock Center get together without the Quill Extended. The Live Center has the Extension attached making it longer.

Russ - Is this what your live center extension looks like? I was thinking about getting one before the prices go up but I don’t understand why it has threads or how it would attach to my live center below.
IMG_2916.png

IMG_2917.jpeg

The live center has two parts that are connected by a 1/2" thread. The MT2 portion has a male thread and the live center portion has a female thread.

[Matanuska]

Didn’t think to try unscrewing the taper. Thanks!

[chapmanruss]

Just to follow up, that is the Extension I referred to. JPG has given you the answer about it. The Extension was included with the Lathe Duplicator but can be used anytime desired. I have had trouble separating the MT2 Shaft from the Head on some Live Centers which is why it is easy to wonder about the Extension. Things just seem to get stuck over time.

Below is a picture of the Live Centers over the years. The one on the left is the first version from the 1940's and has the original Tailstock Center point without a cup. The one on the right is like the current one but well-worn with little of the black protective coating left. Both cup versions (middle and right) have worn down cups.

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Lathe Live Centers - extension.jpg (108.49 KiB) Viewed 1165 times

[Matanuska]

Mine wasn’t too hard to get apart. I clamped the taper in a metal vise with some rubber jaw inserts and was able to twist off the head by hand. Wouldn’t have guessed it was designed to come apart without the helpful hints here.