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Powermatic 2014 Headstock Spindle Lock

J

John McAlevey

Joined
Nov 27, 2005
Messages
27
Likes
3
Location
West Bath, ME
I recently acquired a used Powermatic 2014 lathe. The locking lever on the headstock does not engage. There is a collar that spins free and is missing the socket screws which I've ordered from PM. Has anyone else had this problem? Solution? John McAlevey
 
Seems to be a well known problem. Powermatic says to remove the latching mechanism with vise grips to get to the collar and set screws. Sounds easy enough right? Good luck with that. I tried. I'm living with the ticking sound it makes until it quits locking up. Then I guess I'll haul the thing to a Powermatic service rep. Huge pain for me.
 
Mine has stoped locking up but I'll try removing the latching mechanism. Hate to consider taking the headstock to a PM rep. Not sure where exactly the collar should sit on the shaft?
 
I believe the collar is supposed to sit centered on the smaller of the two keys closer to the front. Trying to tighten the set screw is near impossible. Were you able to tighten it? Did you have to remove the spindle lock to access it? I cant get the spindle lock off.
 
Paul Kuflik said:
I believe the collar is supposed to sit centered on the smaller of the two keys closer to the front. Trying to tighten the set screw is near impossible. Were you able to tighten it? Did you have to remove the spindle lock to access it? I cant get the spindle lock off.
Click to expand...
I believe the design of the spindle lock was changed at some point. What I ended up doing was drilling a hole on the top of the housing, right on the parting line. I have a photo of it in this thread somewhere.
 
How I dealt with that issue:

Spindle noise on PM2014

I’m having a problem with my Powermatic 2014 that I’m hoping one or more of you can help me zero in on. I’ve seen posts with similar problems on other lathes, but not on mine. I was doing some spindle turning, and had just tightened the tailpiece. I turned the lathe on and heard a “tick tick...
www.aawforum.org www.aawforum.org
 
I decided to sell my Powermatic 2014 lathe but before I sold it I was determined to fix or have the lock fixed. I found a repair man who had worked for Brentwood Machinery in New Hampshire repairing Powermatic machinery before Brentwood closed down. Working out of a trailer in his driveway he persevered, cussed and with some yankee ingenuity finally after two hours succeeded in placing the set screws and tightening them down. He had no idea what to charge me and I gave him $80: I drove a total of 160 miles round trip. It was worth it to me to have a functional spindle lock for when I put the 2014 up for sale..
 
I drilled a very small hole in the top surface of the headstock. Just large enough for my hex wrench and tightened up the set screw. The hole should have been factory installed by Powermatic since this is a common problem with the machine. It wouldn't cost them anything and would make their customers much happier.
 
Now my 3520 spindle lock has come loose. I can open the door where the belts are, slide it to the right and tighten it with an Allen wrench. Then it comes loose an hour later and I have to repeat the process. PITA.
 
today it broke: Powermatic says the part has been discontinued and I can’t find it on Amazon or eBay. $18 part and I’m headed now to a fabricator.

It’s a locking collar sleeve to lock the spindle lock. Part 3097007.

Then I get the pleasure of trying to install it.
 

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Alan Weinberg said:
today it broke: Powermatic says the part has been discontinued and I can’t find it on Amazon or eBay. $18 part and I’m headed now to a fabricator.

It’s a locking collar sleeve to lock the spindle lock. Part 3097007.

Then I get the pleasure of trying to install it.
Click to expand...
How, I’m sure several of us are wondering, can they discontinue a part from a lathe that’s still in production?
 
I think it’s a completely different piece since they had troubles with the 3520a spindle lock. If the same, they should have told me it was compatible when I called Powermatic, one would think.
 
but I’ve got a solution thanks to this site. Can get this piece cut down and modified.
 

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Alan Weinberg said:
today it broke: Powermatic says the part has been discontinued and I can’t find it on Amazon or eBay. $18 part and I’m headed now to a fabricator.

It’s a locking collar sleeve to lock the spindle lock. Part 3097007.

Then I get the pleasure of trying to install it.
Click to expand...
Our club has the same 3520a lathe and problem. Newer models have a one piece spindle and collar sleeve as one part. We are using a large wrench that requires holding but intend to add a strong rare earth magnet perhaps from an old hard drive fastened to the lathe bed with CA glue where the wrench handle touches the lathe bed.
 
Mike Peace said:
Our club has the same 3520a lathe and problem. Newer models have a one piece spindle and collar sleeve as one part. We are using a large wrench that requires holding but intend to add a strong rare earth magnet perhaps from an old hard drive fastened to the lathe bed with CA glue where the wrench handle touches the lathe bed.
Click to expand...
Once I get my modification done, I’ll repost. Might be a better solution for you.
 
my guy fabricated the new spindle lock but today, instead of just installing it, we took motor and VFD off to take headstock off. He took it to his shop where he will replace bearings and belt, install an rpm tachometer as well as placing the new steel (not cast iron) spindle lock. 3520a VFD just gives a number and you convert via a chart to rpm—a real pain. It’ll be a new lathe! New one on the right. Will be much stronger. Look at all that rust where headstock sat—naval jelly and some work took it all away. IMG_3142.jpegIMG_3143.jpeg
 
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my lathe wizard finished the tachometer and other improvements on my Powermatic 3520 a/b* but then offered something else—since my lathe is outside even with a custom cover he’s afraid motor and VFD may rust w rain. Rust on the rails is easy to remove but motor and VFD rust may be a real issue. So he’s making them detachable from the headstock. I will then just disconnect & bring the VFD and motor into the garage or house.

So I’ll have a tach to see rpm, a steel spindle lock that locks every 90 degrees with 2 set screws (he modified it further after the picture I posted), new bearings, new belt, spindle remachined smooth, and detachable motor and VFD.

He’s going to check out the VFD also and will upgrade if needed—knows how to program.

All under $400 inc parts. Amazing.
IMG_20230921_163448015.jpegIMG_20230921_163519156.jpeg
*a/b since VFD is b, replaced by original owner.
 
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