Hi. Has anyone here ever rebuilt their live center? The one I have came with my lathe, and I think its about 20 years old. It started squealing and got almost too hot to touch last time I used it. I probably had the tailstock cranked down too much. I assume Its a pretty easy thing to rebuild, just looking for some pointers, maybe some part numbers?
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rebuilding a oneway live center
- Thread starter Isaac Davis
- Start date
The manual for the one-way live center suggests sending them back to be rebuilt due to press fits of the bearing to the body and difficulty to remove without the proper tooling.. After 20 years, the grease in the assembly is likely not lubricating any more and is the real cause of failure (lack of lube).
I'd contact One-way and find out how much they want to rebuild your live center.
I'd contact One-way and find out how much they want to rebuild your live center.
I would be curious to know the cost as although my live center is functioning fine, it is also about the same age.
Google is your friend. There are threads n these forums with discussions, and here’s a link to one man’s experience:
docplayer.net
After reading through the linked file, the cost to have Oneway do the work seems pretty reasonable.
OneWay live centre bearing replacement - PDF Free Download
OneWay live centre bearing replacement Why replace the bearings My OneWay live centre had a rough feeling when rotated by hand. This is often an indication of a bearing having worn out. I was not getting
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The info linked above says out of warranty is $35 plus shipping and handling.
Some thoughts on how to do it:
Use a slide hammer attached to the 3/4x10 thread to disassemble, unthreading the brass piece as the assm comes out. The shaft can then be pressed or driven out of the bearings. Obviously once removed the installed brgs are trash, with hammering on them.
For re-assembly the bearings could possibly be pressed onto the shaft with a vice with a deep socket used to press on the brg inner race do not press on the outer race. Freeze the shaft and warm the brgs. Grease the brg ID and shaft OD. Get the 1st brg started, add the inner/outer bushings, then the 2nd brg, progressively pressing. Now freeze that assm, and warm the outer housing.
I would use a threaded rod passed through the whole assemblywith bushings/washers and a nut. Tighten it up to press the brgs in. I’ve done wheel bearings and motocycle steering head brgs this way many times.
Some thoughts on how to do it:
Use a slide hammer attached to the 3/4x10 thread to disassemble, unthreading the brass piece as the assm comes out. The shaft can then be pressed or driven out of the bearings. Obviously once removed the installed brgs are trash, with hammering on them.
For re-assembly the bearings could possibly be pressed onto the shaft with a vice with a deep socket used to press on the brg inner race do not press on the outer race. Freeze the shaft and warm the brgs. Grease the brg ID and shaft OD. Get the 1st brg started, add the inner/outer bushings, then the 2nd brg, progressively pressing. Now freeze that assm, and warm the outer housing.
I would use a threaded rod passed through the whole assemblywith bushings/washers and a nut. Tighten it up to press the brgs in. I’ve done wheel bearings and motocycle steering head brgs this way many times.
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oneway says $48 plus shipping. Ill probably just do that.
You can get a brand new live center and point)no cones) for 119 on amazon with free shipping in a few days. How much will it cost to ship it both ways? You'll have to wait also? Hope you got a spare for a few weeks.
metal lathes drive centers are more robust usually than wood lathes drive centers for same $$$ wise.....do a search, big differences....same m2 & m3
Yes, but they normally come only with a wood splitting point and are usually lower maximum speed, if you want a treaded end then the price goes up a bunch, plus that is not a standard 3/4" x 19 tpi end that is used with the wood turning centers.
Quality does cost.
You'd do better to buy a pair of snap ring pliers and fix it yourself. Bearings are easy to get.
Here's the insides of a similar center. Pretty easy to get apart.
last shot
Another, earlier post. Fairly straight forward project. As stated, snap ring pliers and the shop made spanner are most helpful.
www.aawforum.org
rebuilding a Oneway live center
I have what appears to be the Jet/Powermatic clone of the Oneway live center - it appears the bearings are shot. I already obtained new sealed bearings at a local supply house. Is it as simple as just disassemble, clean, lubricate and reassemble...or am I missing something? thanks!
That spanner looks a lot easier to make than the one I did. Either beat the heck out of needle nose plier points.
I've rebuilt quite a few, two of mine, a couple of friends and a few at the school. I tried bent needle nose first, yep, a no go for sure.
Bob, the little spanner is 1/8" welding rod, bent around a socket then gripped in a vice bent 90° then the legs cut short.
It works, but I like your version. I've had a few tough ones, one disk I believe was CA glued in and took a heat wrench and a few strong words.
I'm sure I have the parts and pieces laying about somewhers, so, I hope you don't mind but I'm going to borrow your idea...
Bob, the little spanner is 1/8" welding rod, bent around a socket then gripped in a vice bent 90° then the legs cut short.
It works, but I like your version. I've had a few tough ones, one disk I believe was CA glued in and took a heat wrench and a few strong words.
I'm sure I have the parts and pieces laying about somewhers, so, I hope you don't mind but I'm going to borrow your idea...
Here's another variation on that theme that I use for another tool. A piece of 1/4" scrap with two 1/8" dowels. I later ground the ends of the dowels flat to get a better bite.
It helps to have a mill and a lathe.
It helps to have a mill and a lathe.
How can anyone tell the Onaway from others?
My Oneway live center is over 30 years old and still rotates smoothly, mind you I'm not abusing it by pressing the center very hard while it is spinning, it is after all only a help to keep turnings steady.
To rebuild, send it to Oneway.
As for cost right now, Oneway asked $35.. US plus shipping and handling, if you use USPS it is very simple and low-cost, no hassle and a quick return.
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My oneway center started heating and making squealing noises. Bearings weren’t the problem at all. It was finish building up between the threaded rotating section and that brass ring behind it. Some good clean-up was all it took.