Sheldon Xl-56 Spindle Nose

[Cody Killgore]

Okay guys. I took the chuck off of my lathe today and was a bit confused by what I saw. For some reason, I just assumed the chuck screwed onto a threaded spindle. Instead, I found what appeared to be a tapered spindle and a loose collar with threads that pulled the chuck up onto the taper.

Does that threaded collar come off? I could not see any way to remove it. Wouldn't it bang around if I had a collet in the spindle hole? Or maybe I still would have some sort of plate attached to it?

On another note, I have the handwheel collet thing that goes through the headstock. However, I seem to be missing some type of sleeve to put in the spindle hole. Does anyone happen to have an extra laying around?

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

Okay guys. I took the chuck off of my lathe today and was a bit confused by what I saw. For some reason, I just assumed the chuck screwed onto a threaded spindle. Instead, I found what appeared to be a tapered spindle and a loose collar with threads that pulled the chuck up onto the taper.

Does that threaded collar come off? I could not see any way to remove it. Wouldn't it bang around if I had a collet in the spindle hole? Or maybe I still would have some sort of plate attached to it?

On another note, I have the handwheel collet thing that goes through the headstock. However, I seem to be missing some type of sleeve to put in the spindle hole. Does anyone happen to have an extra laying around?

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My Rockwell has a collet nose piece that goes where the chuck is attaches to the loose ring and also protects the spindle some.

 

[hermetic]

That looks like american LOO taper. My lathe has the smaller LO taper. The collar does not come off, it is fitted as the lathe is assembled. There is a collar available that screws into it to prevent it banging about when not in use, you could possibly make one. On my Colchester Student, the collet chuck is usually the Burnerd multisize type which fits onto this taper and locking ring. To fit the collets inside the spindle you need a spindle bush which reduces the taper in the spindle to your collet size. Sometimes these are a bit rare, but you can make them if you are up for the taper turning challenge!
Phil
UK

 

[Cody Killgore]

That looks like american LOO taper. My lathe has the smaller LO taper. The collar does not come off, it is fitted as the lathe is assembled. There is a collar available that screws into it to prevent it banging about when not in use, you could possibly make one. On my Colchester Student, the collet chuck is usually the Burnerd multisize type which fits onto this taper and locking ring. To fit the collets inside the spindle you need a spindle bush which reduces the taper in the spindle to your collet size. Sometimes these are a bit rare, but you can make them if you are up for the taper turning challenge!
Phil
UK

Thanks! That gave me some search terms to look up some more. I'm not sure if I'm up for the taper turning challenge just yet. I still haven't even got power running to it and I've never used a lathe, haha. That said, I do have a taper attachment which could make it easier I guess (if I can figure out how to use that )

 

[hermetic]

With a taper attachment, you have no excuse NOT to make it, but I appreciate what you are saying. Using a lathe is a journey of skills and comfidence, start off with little steps and you will get there, what I havent gleaned from others I taught myself! I have learned so much from websites like this one, people here are happy to help, just ask away, you may even find someone geographically nearer to you who can help in person as well. As a basic safety to you and all, tie up your hair, wear safety glasses, rollup your sleeves, take off watches and rings, no lose clothing! No gloves! Never touch anything that is moving, never be tempted to remove swarf with your hands! MACHINE TOOLS DO NOT TAKE PRISONERS! Now I have scared you half to death, get the power on and make some swarf!
Phil

 

[hermetic]

And make yourself a board to cover the bed under the chuck when you are changing chucks, so you don't damage the bed. As you have already taken a chuck off, you will now appreciate how heavy they are!
Phil

 

[rick9345]

I taught myself Lathe operation 30+ years. I looked lots of places for info(no internet) bought and read books. The absolute best I found and still keep handy use TO this DAY, is the "The Manual of Lathe Operation and Machinist Tables"
by Clausing Corp better known as THE ATLAS Lathe manual Any published is helpful but the ones from 1976 on are more complete.There are reprints out.
I took mine apart ,enlarged pages to 8 1/2 x 11 put in plastic pages and large 3 ring note book It is on bench next to lathe.It gets used .

Oh I also put my original back together,they have become collectable. Search EBay, get lucky.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

I have an Sheldon EXL with the same thing. L00. I can't post links yet but a quick google search will give you more info. I like mine. Lot more rigid. You can still get chuck backing plates on ebay as well as new faceplates.

 

[Happycamper]

On my Logan with LOO spindle, there is a snap ring inside the collar you can take out to remove the collar. The only time I've taken the collar off has been when I removed the spindle. Once when I replaced the bearings and when I replaced the belt. You'll need a set of snap ring pliers if your's is like mine.

 

[Cody Killgore]

Great information everyone. Thanks!

I actually contacted the guy a bought it from and asked if I could come and look for some tooling I may not have grabbed. Turns out, he had the collet sleeve. Woohoo!