The only mistake I've made so far is leaving the Key in the Chuck and
turning the Lathe on....
Went flying, luckily. Didn't hit the Ways !
Right now I am in the process of making a Spindle Hand Crank to manually
thread with.
I've tried using the Leadscrew and gears, but they are just too damned
fast for me.
No time to react for a 'beginner' like me !
I found a Used (beat up) Aluminum Machine (Lathe ?) Hand Wheel at a local Machine Shop
(Bixby Machine Tools) for $5.......7.5" (19 cm) with a hole for a handle.
Here is what I have done so far.
Using a 1/2" Black threaded Water Pipe and a Flange which I faced and cut down in diameter.
Here I am turning some Hot Rolled Mild Steel to construct the "Ram" that will
be forced into the internal end of the pipe to expand the slotted portion to
hold the pipe inside the Spindle.
I can't figure out how to make a very slight (1° to 2°) Taper on the rod.
I wanted to make a slight but long taper - maybe a 3 inches long....threaded inside.
0.625" one side up to 0.635" on the other end by 3 inches long.
A LONG, slight Taper will make more of the flanges contact the inside of the spindle.
The Tail Stock holding the Live Center gets in the way of the Compound holding the tool.
Even if it didn't get in the way, its travel is too short !
My thought is...I'll have to use a file and file down one side on a slight taper.
Maybe make steps with the tool then file that into a taper....not much metal to remove.
I'm too ignorant of Lathes to know any other method.
DoctorBill
PS - THAT is YOUR live center, Buckshot ! I use it all the time !