Woodfast M Series Tailstock jammed

[Bradford Whitman]

Is there anyone out there who had or still has this vintage lathe on which David Elsworth taught me woodturning?

My tailstock jammed, and I got an email back from Australia with a Utube video for Powermatic and Jet, but not Woodfast (discontinued).

I cannot get the handwheel removed even after removing the mostly hidden set screw.

I have sprayed WD 40 thoroughly.

I surmise from the very small slot in shaft at the working side that I should stick the same Allen wrench in there to hold it and then unturn the handle?

This did not work.

I suspect my gross negligence in not cleaning the tailstock for too many years to admit has put an end to this machine that has special meaning to me.

Thanks for any reply.

Brad Whitman
PA

 

[Bradford Whitman]

Sorry, Ellsworth two "Ls".

 

[Webb Willmott]

If it’s rust that’s the culprit, use a 50/50 mix of automatic transmission fluid and acetone. It penetrates better than anything on the market. Next is the product Kroil. Both better than Liquid Wrench. WD40 is way down on the penetrating scale.

And if threadloc was used on a set screw, it takes heat.

 

[Wyatt Holm]

I have one, it's a good machine. It is not discontinued, they are still being made in Asia for Woodfast. What exactly happened to the tailstock that you need to remove the handwheel? Can you post a few pictures?

 

[Jamie Straw]

No pure solution from me but two thoughts: (1) Kroil is an excellent penetrant. WD40 is a pretender; (2) No reason to give up, be patient waiting for the best advice. If the lathe were in my shop, I'd apply Kroil repeatedly and strongly "jiggle/pull" the hand wheel (in the past I've been tempted to whack with a deadblow hammer, but resisted the urge). These darn things can get firmly stuck with absolutely no rust - as you surmise, it's due to lack of cleaning. Our Powermatics are particularly susceptible, probably because they are the most heavily used especially for wet bowls of size. Once it's out, clean screw thoroughly, remove any burrs from locking slot and lube appropriately.

PS: if you do give up, I'll pay the freight to Washington State.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

If it has you stumped, visit a local machine shop, they'll take care of it for you. And if parts are worn, they can make replacements.

(Edit- Like Vicmarc lathes, those Aussie-built M-series Woodfast lathes should last about 200 years. Or so. Well, you may need some new bearings at some point... In other words, those lathes are absolutely machines that should be maintained to encourage an indefinite lifespan. They aren't throw-away machines! Even @Odie couldn't wear his out!)

Does the shape contribute to the use of a gear puller tool, such as this generic version? These are usually pretty inexpensive, Harbor Freight and Amazon have them in various shapes and sizes. Auto parts stores and some hardware stores stock them, too.

 

[Dave Landers]

Does the shape contribute to the use of a gear puller tool, such as this generic version? These are usually pretty inexpensive, Harbor Freight and Amazon have them in various shapes and sizes. Auto parts stores and some hardware stores stock them, too.

And some auto parts stores will loan them out. I borrowed one from our local NAPA when I was redoing the wheels on a bandsaw

 

[Wyatt Holm]

I had a problem with my first lathe, a Powermatic 45. It had been out on the weather before I got it, so it was a bit rusty. I tried to get the belt tension lever to move and instead broke it off. So I borrowed a pulley puller from an auto mechanic and removed it. Then took it to a machinist/mechanic and he was able to extract the broken handle. This machine is a 1970. I think it can very well last 100 years.

 

[Bradford Whitman]

This is great--I needed to be told exactly what I always believed and is obvious--that the Australian Woodfast is built for the ages--how rare today!
I will try a serious solvent on the shaft and hope I can get it out and clean the big screw. I have turned almost entirely scavenged wet wood on the first pass. Thank you all.