Safety tip- chucks

[John Torchick]

Taking a break from the lathe and thought I would share this with the forum. I was getting ready to turn a piece of cherry, 3 inches diameter by about 7 inches long. This was in a chuck. I started to turn it at low speed and noted it was giving a noise that made me uncomfortable. It was as if it was out of balance/round. I stopped the lathe and began to check everything in sequence- chuck tight on the tenon, chuck adapter tight on the headstock, and when I moved the wood, I noticed some movement. I found that the chuck was not tight on the 1-8 adapter! I tightened the set screw and started again. Problem solved. I added this small part on the check list to review before turning. Now- back to the lathe.

 

[Dean Center]

Good for you for noticing something was odd and stopping to check it out. You're showing signs of mastery, Gramps!

 

[John Torchick]

Hi, Dean! Trust everything is OK up your way. Now, to learn to use a bowl gouge.

 

[Hy Tran]

John,

Nice tip. Would a "grab-and-shove" test (grabbing the blank, and giving it a good shove-and-shake) have discovered the loose threaded insert?? That's my typical test after mounting a blank in the chuck, then, I do a full rotation (by hand) to make sure the blank clears the tool rest, bed, loose tools lying on the bed, etc.

Happy new year!

Hy

 

[hockenbery]

Great tip
An unexpected noise is almost always caused by something being off.

 

[John Torchick]

Hy Tran, it is now on the list of things to check every time I turn, whether a piece of wood is on the chuck or spur drive. I do the rest of the things you list. Can't be too careful. This is the first time this has happened.