Pm 1228-vf-lb Lathe Preparations

[Franko]

The jaws on my chuck are pretty tight. Turning them in and out can be a chore.
I started looking around the shop for something to make a crank handle. I measured the chuck wrench and discovered it is 3/8"
I've got 3/8 crank handles all over the shop, including electric powered ones. How convenient. I don't have to make anything.

I think the ratchet wrench is a much better chuck wrench than the t-handle wrench it came with.
The speed wrench is great for opening and closing the jaws to the extremes.

 

[bpratl]

I'm sure that somewhere I own a scissor type knurler. But, durned if I know where it is. Cranking so hard to press in the knurls, I have to watch my QCTP, or it will rotate under the pressure.

Franko, I had the same problem with the QCTP rotating until someone told me to place a piece of "Brown paper bag" under the tool post. It worked. Bob

 

[turnitupper]

I have used paper bags over the years for a myriad of things and now here is another use.
John.

 

[roadie33]

Franko,
I know what you mean about cranking the chucks in or out. I use my Dewalt impact driver with a 3/8" or 1/4" socket adapter in it to speed up opening or closing the big 8" or smaller 6" chucks.
Sure makes it easier than trying to hold the T Handle in and turn at the same time.

 

[Franko]

Franko, I had the same problem with the QCTP rotating until someone told me to place a piece of "Brown paper bag" under the tool post. It worked. Bob

Thanks Bob. If that works, it will be the tip of the month for me!
Do you make a full gasket, or just a slip on one side?

Franko,
I know what you mean about cranking the chucks in or out. I use my Dewalt impact driver with a 3/8" or 1/4" socket adapter in it to speed up opening or closing the big 8" or smaller 6" chucks.
Sure makes it easier than trying to hold the T Handle in and turn at the same time.

It wouldn't work with my earlier mill because of the size of the chuck wrench. I don't know why it took me so long to realize that a 3/8" socket drive would work.

I was gearing up to go to all kinds of trouble and expense to make a crank handwheel for it, trying to figure out how to fit a piece of key stock in an extra hand-wheel I had.

 

[roadie33]

Thinking to hard again. Franko.
I found when I start doing that, I take a break and do something else, then the light bulb comes on ( a little dimmer nowadays) and the easier solution will usually hit you.

 

[Franko]

As often as not, Mike, the easier solution doesn't occur to me until I have completed the complicated solution.

Actually, I have been mulling the problem for about a week.
I had several plans:

1. Get an extra t-wrench and modify the handle to an "L" so I could crank it.

2. Make a clamp-on L handle fixture for the wrench I have.

I didn't really like either of those solutions because the geometry was bad, the t-chuck key is so long and it would still be a two-handed operation.

3. Then I remembered the extra crank wheel handle and 3/8" key stock I had, so how to thread a bit of the key stock to 10 mm threads (I don't have a 4-jaw chuck yet).

4. Eureka! It's 3/8", you idiot. Use your socket wrenches.

I tried an impact driver drill last night and it worked, but I found the clatter and vibration worrisome. I do plan to use a cordless clutched non-impact drill or the speed handle to turn the chuck jaws when I need to move them a lot, but I think the ratchet socket wrench is going to be my go-to chuck key.

 

[bpratl]

Thanks Bob. If that works, it will be the tip of the month for me!
Do you make a full gasket, or just a slip on one side?

It has to be Brown paper ( shopping bag) to work properly. I cut a hole in the center and made it the full size of the QCTP. Bob

 

[wrmiller]

Many times I have grabbed a couple of pieces of notebook paper when attempting to hold small parts in a vise. It simply adds some grip between two metal surfaces, and in my experience works very well.

 

[brav65]

Many times I have grabbed a couple of pieces of notebook paper when attempting to hold small parts in a vise. It simply adds some grip between two metal surfaces, and in my experience works very well.

Bill just watch out for the white papers as they have clay in them that tends to make them slippery, especially under pressure. Brown paper bag does not have clay in it and is stickier than the white paper.