Got a lathe and a question

[germdoc]

Well, somewhat unexpectedly I am now the proud owner of a new used lathe. I check the classifieds frequently for tools and came across someone selling an old Shopmaster lathe--full size, swing ~15", about 4 feet long, 1/4 hp. This is not a Delta product, this is an old tool made in the 60's-70's. Pretty heavy duty--nice slides, tool rest, etc., weighs ~125#.

So, after making sure the thing would run and seeing no obvious defects, I brought it home for $80, along with a set of unused Craftsman HSS tools. So far, so good--runs well, not too much vibration, 3 speeds.

Here's the question--it came with a face plate that is connected to the axle by a large threaded piece. It has 2 pointed rods that

[Stytooner]

.........and....?

[germdoc]

[Sorry, got interrupted.] ...screw into the face plate, which I presume are for holding stock. But it doesn't have a 4-point spur. Any type of replacement spur as far as I know uses a #2 Morse taper to fit, but the drive shaft on my lathe doesn't seem to have a Morse taper slot, just the threaded screw. I wonder if this wasn't the standard arrangement 30 years ago.

Any thoughts on how to install a spur on this? (I'll include a pic if it would help.)

[Stytooner]

You can pick up a spur drive that will thread onto the shaft. You need to figure out what the threading is. Penn State has an assortment of different attachments that just thread on the drive shaft.

[germdoc]

Thanks for advice. Here are pics:

[kwgeorge]

Well Jeff that is a pretty neat lathe. I love old tools although I never seem to be able to acquire any myself. The accessories that are available for your lathe will depend greatly on the spindle size and thread pitch. The Shopmaster lathes of the 50’s and 60’s came with a 3/4X16tpi spindle but from your picture that does not look like what you have. The picture appears to be a coarser pitch but it could be just the focus. With that the first thing to do is figure out your spindle size and thread pitch.

[germdoc]

Turns out that is a 5/8" spindle. I believe it is the same as the Shopsmith lathe spindle. I have been able to find a screw head for it, as well as various expanding collet chucks--at Penn State--but not a 4-point spur. I guess I could get a spur and modify it to fit into my faceplate.

In any event, I think I can make do with the face plate and spindle that I have for now.

Any other advice--let me know.

[don_hart]

What I would consider if I was you is this. Remove the spindle from the lathe and take it down to a local machine shop and get pricing on the following making a new spindle with a standard thread size andf a morse taper or just having a morse taper bored in the existing shaft. You might be surprised out how cheaply you can have it done.

[germdoc]

Update--I have checked a zillion sources, finally looked on Oneway's website--they have a couple dozen adapters, including a 5/8" 11 tpi spindle. So I will be ordering a basic Oneway chuck with the 4-point spur insert, which should solve my spindle problems. Moreover, if I get a new lathe I can use the same chuck with a different adapter.

I have jerry-rigged a 4-point spur with a maple disk and some wood screws and have turned a few candlesticks out of elm just for practice and am really looking forward to getting this chuck.

BTW, I called Lee Valley's website to see if I could order this through them, and their customer service rep spent a good 20 minutes talking to me and checking out his sources, etc. In the end he said it would take a bulk order for them to get it and be possibly somewhat costly, so he suggested I order directly from Oneway. Once again I am really impressed with the service and selection of Lee Valley.