Lathe Care Tips |
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Lathe bed lubrication.by Frank Clark RPTSpraying the lathe bed or bars with a silicone lubricant or use of a wax lubricant allows the saddle and tailstock to slide easily on the bed. Be careful not to spray the headstock bearings as the solvent in the spray will leach out the grease or oil from the bearings.
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Protection of the headstock thread.by Frank Clark RPTWhere no thread protector is available a short piece of plastic pipe of appropriate internal diameter can be used to protect the headstock thread from damage whilst spindle turning. The ends of the pipe can be cut square by putting it on a tapered wood mandrel and cutting the ends with a skew chisel.
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Protection of the lathe bed.by Frank Clark RPTTo protect the lathe bed from splashes of sanding sealer and other finishes use a piece of thin aluminium sheet bent over at each side to locate on the bed shears or bars. By making two pieces to slide over each other any length of work can be accommodated.
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Removal of hollow centres from the tailstock.by Frank Clark RPTThe removal of hollow centres, used for long hole boring, from the tailstock can easily be accomplished by making a cylinder about 20mm long from close grained hardwood to fit over the tailstock mandrel. Slip this ring over the mandrel before inserting the hollow centre into the tailstock. To remove the centre just wind the mandrel back into the tailstock.
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