Lathe parts / correct nomenclature...

[Tangledfeet]

How are they taught to use a chuck key ?

That's a lesson I love doing. I get the biggest numpty to leave the key in whilst I retreat and then, from behind another machine, tell him to start his machine. A very, very effective lesson.

 

[Arc Tourist]

That's a lesson I love doing. I get the biggest numpty to leave the key in whilst I retreat and then, from behind another machine, tell him to start his machine. A very, very effective lesson.

Back in the 1960's, the teacher in my junior high school metal shop class had this simple safety device attached to machines which required a chuck type key. A true safety feature which prevented accidents from what you have described above. Here is a rough sketch which should be self explanatory, even to numpties.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Back in the 1960's, the teacher in my junior high school metal shop class had this simple safety device attached to machines which required a chuck type key. A true safety feature which prevented accidents from what you have described above. Here is a rough sketch which should be self explanatory, even to numpties.

View attachment 274995

Simple and genius! In twelve years of teaching only once has a pupil left it in. The safety guard on the lathes has an interlock and won't close if the chuck key is left in.

A few years ago schools started getting newer drills with the new kind of chucks, the keyless ones and the joke was how many pupils it took to chance a twist drill bit...

Three; one to hold the top, one to tighten the bottom - and the third to hold the drill bit!

 

[pressbrake1]

I was taught the top slide sits on top of the compound (also known as a Compound slide.)

Personally I would be looking at lathe technical descriptions from 40+ yrs ago for the original 'correct' naming.

Top slide or compound sits on the cross slide. Tool post sits on the compound

 

[Shox Dr]

By having a very conspicuous patch on the door opposite the lathe and telling all the students never to leave the key in the chuck as someone did it once and it went right through the door... At least that's how they did it at our school (I never got to play with the lathe there, I don't think they let any of the pupils until sixth form).

Ours was in the ceiling, some 15-20ft up.

 

[Ali]

Edu spec for lathes should have a spring on the chuck key, think it might be in the regs but I’d have to check.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Edu spec for lathes should have a spring on the chuck key, think it might be in the regs but I’d have to check.

My education authority (as do most) probably go on the advice of SSERC (Scottish Schools Education Research Centre) so may differ from yours; don't think any of ours have springs!