Lathe chuck

Well, I got an email from Shars.
They said about the same thing as you Tom.

I put a bar in the chuck and zeroed it in and walla nor wobble at 500 rpm.

It is a 4 jaw independent chuck. my first to set up and work with.

Also got to thinking.
If I run the chuck off center it will wobble.

Will head stock bearing preload cause this?
Would adding a little preload solve this problem?
How do you know how much preload to put in?

Thanks for the replies.

Dale
 
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So, the wobble you got at 250 rpm was due to the jaws being unloaded and in different positions, I assume. Once you loaded and centered a bar the chuck runs smooth so it looks like the chuck is okay, right? It's okay; first time using a chuck like this so you won't know this stuff.

Yes, if you turn an off-center work piece you will have vibration because of the unbalanced load. To deal with it, turn down your lathe speed until it runs without vibrating and cut as usual. It is the unbalanced load that is causing the vibration and this has nothing to do with spindle bearing preload.
 
Bolt a counterbalance onto your chuck if higher rpm is needed . Small as well as some of the largest lathes I've run needed to be counterbalanced when running fixtures etc thrown off center . If your lathe isn't bolted down , you may be chasing it across the shop floor one day !
 
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