Help please - new lathe spindle wobble

[Steve Appling]

I would appreciate some help. I'm a complete newbie. I took a class, got the turning bug, and began looking for a good deal on a lathe. I bought my first lathe, a Jet 1221vs on Facebook marketplace and thought I got a great deal. I may have figured out why.

When attempting to turn my first spindle piece, I rounded it, cut a tenon, and put it in a chuck. It really seemed to wobble. After more investigation, I see the chuck is at a slight angle. I placed the tool rest very close and parallel to the side of the chuck. As I rotate the chuck, I see the angle of the chuck change

Now that I have it home and look more carefully, I also see that the threads on the spindle are messed up. I understand from the post here, that it is normal for the first couple of threads on the Jet spindle to be flattened like this, but I'm not clear if these threads are right. I can't actually thread either of the chucks I have completely onto the spindle.

I'm guessing that:

1. The threads might be messed up
2. The spindle is warped in some way
3. The bearings are messed up

Any thoughts? Should I just get a replacement spindle and bearings?

 

[Gary Beasley]

Those threads are ruined. The chuck wobbles because it is not completely seated. Running a die to clean up the threads might help but in the long run you need a new spindle.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

I'm somewhat of a newbie as well so take what I say with a grain of salt.

It looks in the first two pics that the chuck is not screwed all the way onto the spindle?

If it were mine I would take a file and try to clean up the threads and try to get the chuck all the way on. That will straighten it hopefully.

Maybe the spindle needs replacing? But at this point what do you have to lose?

Ya, what he said, he beat me to it.

 

[Steve Appling]

Those threads are ruined. The chuck wobbles because it is not completely seated. Running a die to clean up the threads might help but in the long run you need a new spindle.

Thanks - I suspected as much since I can't screw the chuck all the way on. Now on to the adventure of replacing a spindle.

 

[Jim Reynolds]

You might find this You Tube video helpful. It shows a spindle replacement on a Jet 1221VS.

 

[Richard Coers]

Threads should never have flattened crests unless they are Acme threads

 

[Tim Hunter]

Obviously the thread crests have been trashed (likely by a set screw someone forgot to revove). In your third picture, the third thread from the end is deformed on the right side and is likely what is preventing the chuck from seating against the spindle shoulder. Clean it up with a triangle file and get the chuck to seat against the shoulder and it will likley run much better.

Tim

 

[Dean Center]

I have had 2 experiences similar to yours. Due to a monster catch I had when beginning to turn, the spindle on my Jet 1014 got bent and had to be replaced. This was a surprisingly simple procedure for someone with no experience. The new spindle was tolerably pricey.

When I bought a used Powermatic 3520, the chuck wouldn't screw all the way on. With the help of the folks on this forum, I cleaned up the threads with a triangular file and fixed the problem. Also surprisingly simple, if you are careful.

Maybe it's the camera angle, but your third photo looks to my eye like the threaded portion of the spindle is at an angle from the shoulder. If this is the case, the spindle is toast and you can learn for yourself how easy it is to replace.

 

[robo hippy]

Well, not sure, but those threads may be able to be fixed by a machine shop. One thread in particular looks VERY bad. The chuck has to seat against the headstock, and must be flush. It may just take a bit of filing with a triangle file or saw sharpening file. Don't really know.

robo hippy

 

[Wyatt Holm]

Sounds like you need a new spindle. It may be worth replacing the bearing while you're at it. I would search the numbers on the bearings, because it is probably standard size and you won't need oem.

 

[Bob Brown]

Do you know a good machinist? You have to take the spindle out either way ,but a good machinist might be able to true it up. I had one do it to a kelton off set chuck. As Wyatt said replace bearings also. JMO