What lathe attachment do I need?

For a quick job I stuff some paper towels around a long shaft to stop wobble. That said it seems odd the 3/4 and 1 inch shafting only 2 ft long would flex enough to be a problem.
 
I have used bicycle cables looped over the length sticking out and pinned to the wall and ceiling as guy ropes, a splash of oil where they touch the shaft and it spins with no wobble.
I find this particularly useful with thin stock
 
epanzella said:
For a quick job I stuff some paper towels around a long shaft to stop wobble. That said it seems odd the 3/4 and 1 inch shafting only 2 ft long would flex enough to be a problem.
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Actually, it may not be a problem for the immediate project I'm working on. There is definite wobbling, but maybe not significant enough to cause a problem.

I have rarely work with anything longer than about 2 or 2 and a half feet, but several weeks ago, I had a longer piece of 1/2" stock in the lathe. I was facing the end when all of a sudden, the lathe starts wobbling and making a racket that sounded like a helicopter about to lift off. I slammed the lathe emergency button and went around to the outboard side. The stock had bent to 45 degrees about a foot out from the end. Luckily, nothing (and no one) was in the path of destruction when the flailing began, but now I'm a little gun shy. To me, this is a win-win: Getting some wise counsel from experts on how to avoid a catastrophe, and a learning exercise on how to make a useful lathe attachment.

Regards,
Terry
 
Place a suitable sized sawhorse or similar near the end of your stock Nail or screw a couple of blocks of wood to cradle and bridge over the stock. Away you go.
kd4gij said:
Sounds like the stock is bent. I would straighten it then run it.
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Straight or not, excess stock protruding from the rear of the spindle will wobble. It is necessary to restrain it.
savarin said:
I have used bicycle cables looped over the length sticking out and pinned to the wall and ceiling as guy ropes, a splash of oil where they touch the shaft......
Click to expand...
Charles' method is also effective

Cheers Phil
 
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kd4gij said:
Sounds like the stock is bent. I would straighten it then run it.
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No, the stock's not bent. See my post above on the near train wreck I had with a longer piece of 1/2" stock. These two pieces are a. shorter than that one, and b. only 'wobbling'. My main objective is to learn what's available out there to avoid another potential train wreck before it happens. I just finished milling the blank for a spider. If all goes well, tomorrow I'll drill and tap for the set screws, then try it out.

Next project will be to make some Delrin plugs like you suggested.

Regards,
Terry
 
tjb said:
No, the stock's not bent. See my post above on the near train wreck I had with a longer piece of 1/2" stock. These two pieces are a. shorter than that one, and b. only 'wobbling'. My main objective is to learn what's available out there to avoid another potential train wreck before it happens. I just finished milling the blank for a spider. If all goes well, tomorrow I'll drill and tap for the set screws, then try it out.

Next project will be to make some Delrin plugs like you suggested.

Regards,
Terry
Click to expand...
Sounds like you're on the right track with the spider. Remember any fixed plugs you make will only work with a specific diameter rod whereas the spider will work with anything that fits thru the headstock and is long enough to reach it.
 
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epanzella said:
Sounds like you're on the right track with the spider. Remember any fixed plugs you make will only work with a specific diameter rod whereas the spider will work with anything that fits thru the headstock and is long enough to reach it.
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Got it. Thanks.

Regards,
Terry
 
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