Shopsmith Forums

I'm fairly certain I've got the name of the part correct. It's the dead center used for lathe work that fits into the tailstock and doesn't spin and the live center that attaches to the quill. Assuming I have that right, here's my question:

The dead center in one of my 10ers is stuck in the tail stock!

I can put a screwdriver through the hole in the center and rotate it in the tailstock, but it won't make any progress coming out of the hole. I tried tapping the end with a hammer, and while it will move just slightly, it won't move any farther. If I put the screwdriver back in the hole and turn the dead center, it will spin and immediately spiral back in the direction of being STUCK IN THE HOLE! ???

Any thoughts at getting this piece out?

A dead center is one which does not rotate with the workpiece.

A live center is one which rotates with the workpiece.(it has a bearing in it)

Both of those are used on the tailstock.

A spur center is one which drives the workpiece and is mounted on the headstock.

The 10ER tailstock has a removable/adjustable #2 morse taper 'socket' to accept the tailstock centers. The 'socket' is secured by a large nut. The opposite 'end' has a large hex shape like a nut. The socket may be removed from the tailstock by loosening the 'nuts'.

Once removed from the tailstock, the center may be 'operated' on to get it out of the 'socket'.

You will probably need to soak it with penetrating oil for several hours.

If this does not match what you have, a pix would help.

Uh oh...

It looks like my dead center was jammed into the tailstock WITHOUT the nut/socket... I'll have to figure out uploading pictures to the forum to show you, but I think I'm in deep on this part...

Here are pics of my dead center and tailstock.

Any pointers as to separating the two would be appreciated.

Underdog, it looks like, from someone hammering on the end of the dead center, it has been peened over.

You need to get a grinder, and grind off the end of the center, and knock it out with a soft metal drift.

steve

Underdog wrote:Here are pics of my dead center and tailstock.

Any pointers as to separating the two would be appreciated.

That is a 10E tailstock, not a 10ER tailstock.

Has the tailstock been welded, or is what appears so a matter of lighting?

As just mentioned, hitting it with a hammer will peen the end and make it too large to go back through the hole. Grinding the end does seem to be your best option at this point. Actually filing the outer edges may get it back down to size. That would not make it shorter. Not sure if it is too hard to file.

Soak it in penetrating oil(or kerosene) for a couple of days. Then start rotating again and see where/why it stops moving out.

Filing the end didn't seem to do it...

I've got it boiling right now in the electrolysis bath. Will let that go for a while. In the meantime, I'm contemplating the idea of tossing it for an ER tailstock...

Paint should arrive tomorrow. I had to special order the hammered paint as no one in town carried the gray.

Thanks guys for the help! I appreciate it.

Ok, here's the end to the thread...

Came home tonight from work and decided I'd get really aggressive filing the tail end of the dead center down. I got as close to the tailstock as I could (actually hitting the tailstock more than I'd like to admit - but a little work and paint will hide it). I then took an old punch and held it about center of the dead center, and then proceeded to hit that - making sure all the force went to the center of the center and none to deform the edges any further.

Well, it only took about 4 hits to see movement. Hit 5 was the most productive. Hit 6 sent the dead center flying across the floor!

Now that it is out of the tailstock, it is easy to see a slight mushrooming on its end. As I filed the exposed end, I was surprised to see mushrooming was occurring inside the taper hole. Needless to say, that dead center is now dead junk.

If anyone wants the dead dead center, let me know. Otherwise its headed for my scrap pile...

Thanks for all the help and advice!!