many_methods
Member
- Messages
- 67
- Location
- Croydon, UK
Hi I've recently purchased a lathe on a bit of a whim. It's a Flexispeed Mk1 I believe although the original chuck and twin pulleys are missing having been replaced with a single pulley and a standard drill chuck (as shown in the pics).
I've not tried to run it yet as I want to check the electric motor and foot pedal and also the pulley is far too close to the headstock as it is. Assuming I am able to move/replace the pulley, what would I need to fit to prevent lateral movement of the spindle? Presumably some kind of collar around the spindle, butted up against the headstock? Interestingly, photos I've found of the original model show the twin pulleys mounted between the spindle clamps so presumably lateral movement was originally prevented by the pulleys themselves.
With regards to the chuck I believe it should make use of a 4" diameter chuck so if I'm to buy a new one, what should I go for? Bear in mind that I'm not expecting precision engineering here, I just want to end up with something functional for light hobby use. The existing spindle appears to be a 3/8" UNF thread (female thread). Again, according to lathes.com this is not standard as it should have a 1/2" BSF male thread. How best to go about installing any new chuck - i.e. are there any 'off the shelf' solutions or am I going to need to get some kind of adapter/back plate made up? I guess I could replace the spindle itself if this is likely to make life easier.
If anyone has any other info on these lathes or thoughts on how to get this one up to scratch please feel free to enlighten me.
Thanks in advance!
Photo of spindle with chuck removed:
I've not tried to run it yet as I want to check the electric motor and foot pedal and also the pulley is far too close to the headstock as it is. Assuming I am able to move/replace the pulley, what would I need to fit to prevent lateral movement of the spindle? Presumably some kind of collar around the spindle, butted up against the headstock? Interestingly, photos I've found of the original model show the twin pulleys mounted between the spindle clamps so presumably lateral movement was originally prevented by the pulleys themselves.
With regards to the chuck I believe it should make use of a 4" diameter chuck so if I'm to buy a new one, what should I go for? Bear in mind that I'm not expecting precision engineering here, I just want to end up with something functional for light hobby use. The existing spindle appears to be a 3/8" UNF thread (female thread). Again, according to lathes.com this is not standard as it should have a 1/2" BSF male thread. How best to go about installing any new chuck - i.e. are there any 'off the shelf' solutions or am I going to need to get some kind of adapter/back plate made up? I guess I could replace the spindle itself if this is likely to make life easier.
If anyone has any other info on these lathes or thoughts on how to get this one up to scratch please feel free to enlighten me.
Thanks in advance!
Photo of spindle with chuck removed: