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Oneway vacuum adapter on a Nova lathe?

Joined
Jun 6, 2024
Messages
12
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Location
Haverhill, MA
Hi, I recently picked up a Nova DVR XP lathe. In the 'box of parts' I found they included a Oneway vacuum adapter. Does anyone know if this will fit into my headstock spindle?

Thanks, Dave
 
Hi, I recently picked up a Nova DVR XP lathe. In the 'box of parts' I found they included a Oneway vacuum adapter. Does anyone know if this will fit into my headstock spindle?

Thanks, Dave

The Oneway adapters, at least the current ones, don't go *in* the spindle. They screw on the outboard side of the spindle in place of the handwheel. It looks like the Nova only has M20x1.5LH *internal* threads on the outboard end of the spindle, so unless Oneway made a Taper-Lock adapter to fit that, I don't think the Oneway vacuum adapter will work on your lathe.
 
Looks like I need to take off my handwheel and see exactly what I have, to determine whether I need to look for a Nova adapter on ebay or somewhere. Thanks for all the help.
 
The one-way vacuum adapter absolutely does work on a Nova lathe.
I have a nova 2024 and the adapter. It replaces the hand wheel. Easy to swap. Just remember, left hand threads.
 
Marc, thanks so much for the info.
One question: with the vacuum adapter installed, and without the hand wheel, how do you remove chucks (when you don't have the 'bar-in-the-handwheel' option)? I think you are not supposed to use the indexing pin to hold the spindle while removing the chuck.
 
I always use the indexing pin on my nova saturn. Been doing it that way for 6 or 7 years. I've never had a chuck stuck on enough that it takes a ton of effort to take off.
 
I never thought to use the handwheel for loosening a chuck. I’ve always used the spindle lock (indexing pin) for loosening/tightening chucks and faceplates. It’s quite robust.

The oneway adapter is also quite robust, and smooth. It works well as a hand wheel itself.IMG_3747.jpeg
 
If you are not hammering on the chuck to get it off the index pins do quite well with no damage. To that effect I bought a 1 1/8” open end wrench at HD and used a belt sander to slim the thickness down to fit behind the chuck. The long arm of the wrench allows a gentle tug to unlock even the most stubborn chuck.
 
Marc, thanks so much for the info.
One question: with the vacuum adapter installed, and without the hand wheel, how do you remove chucks (when you don't have the 'bar-in-the-handwheel' option)? I think you are not supposed to use the indexing pin to hold the spindle while removing the chuck.
You also can't use a knock-out bar/rod with the OW adapter installed. That's why I prefer a slide in/slide out type of adapter (rotary union as it was called decades ago).
 
I never thought to use the handwheel for loosening a chuck. I’ve always used the spindle lock (indexing pin) for loosening/tightening chucks and faceplates. It’s quite robust.

The oneway adapter is also quite robust, and smooth. It works well as a hand wheel itself.View attachment 73343
Hi Marc. Well, the Nova user manual says to use the handwheel to remove faceplates/chucks, and not to use the indexing pin, But I'm sure as long as you don't use a hammer you're fine. Also, I see in the OW vacuum adapter, there is a hole in the body for a bar, so it can be used to loosen the faceplate/chuck. Thanks for the info.
 
You also can't use a knock-out bar/rod with the OW adapter installed. That's why I prefer a slide in/slide out type of adapter (rotary union as it was called decades ago).
You wouldnt want to leave the adaptor in place any longer than you need to use your vacuum chuck. I tried that and noticed the swivel getting warm and figured the friction from the bearing seals was causing it. It only takes a few minutes to swap the handle for the adaptor so why cause any unneeded wear to your adaptor.
 
Thanks for the tip. I was assuming I could leave it there all the time, but it sounds like I should only use it when I need the vacuum chuck. Thanks for the advice.
 
If you are not hammering on the chuck to get it off the index pins do quite well with no damage. To that effect I bought a 1 1/8” open end wrench at HD and used a belt sander to slim the thickness down to fit behind the chuck. The long arm of the wrench allows a gentle tug to unlock even the most stubborn chuck.
Gary, that's a good idea, but are you sure the wrench was 1 1/8"? The spindle alone is 1 1/4", the flats on the chuck will be even larger.
 
You wouldnt want to leave the adaptor in place any longer than you need to use your vacuum chuck. I tried that and noticed the swivel getting warm and figured the friction from the bearing seals was causing it. It only takes a few minutes to swap the handle for the adaptor so why cause any unneeded wear to your adaptor.
That's why I like the slide in/out type connection. Two seconds in and two seconds out ... and no removal of the hand wheel.
 

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True for your lathe. Not all handles are easy to remove. Nova handles pop off pretty easy and thread back on just as fast.
I assume by "handles" you mean hand wheels. As far as I know, all ( most?) hand wheels thread on and off a LH threaded spindle - often needing a wrench. In your post (#13) above you say it only takes a "few minutes" (x2 when you replace it) .... I prefer not to have to do that.
But, since you already have the OW adapter ($$$) I guess you're stuck with that process. To each his own. ;)
 
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