Where To Buy Cast Iron

Look at the flywheel from an old treadmill.
Search youtube for "Make a lathe back plate for free"
 
Little machine shop carries back p-lates and so cdco even Grizzly has them . A semi finished one should not be verry high.
 
Lucked out on Ebay. I couldn't believe I got it for that amount either. Usually they go for around $100 or more. Especially the reversible jaw type.
 
You did get a good deal on that chuck. I purchased a new chuck and back plate from Shars last year. The back plate was about $45 or so. Yes, it hurt to pay that much for it, but it was sweet. I bored the register for my spindle, then the OD and registration spigot for the chuck and bolted her together. Came out at .0015 for runout, better than I could have hoped for. Long story short, it was worth every penny I paid.

I just looked up class 40 gray cast iron on Speedy Metals. 6" diameter will cost you $15.37 per inch plus shipping. Buying a rough or partially machined back plate is starting to look rather affordable in my opinion.
 
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I have seen people use gym weight plates. They come in various sizes and might fit the bill here. they are cheap at sporting goods stores.
 
T Bredehoft said:
12L14 and whatever the spindle is made from are different metals. I don't believe seizing would be a problem, especially if you put a drop of two of light oil on the threads. Go for it, that's gotta be easier to work than cast iron. Cleaner, too.
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I have steel backplates on a few of my chucks with zero problems. Even my collet chuck is steel. Sure we are taught to use cast iron but I say go for it...Bob
 
I broke down and ordered a back plate from LMS yesterday. Couldn't find anywhere around here that has cast for sale and ordering it online with the cost of shipping was totally outrageous.
So I'll see when it comes in next week how good it is and if it will fit or not. I sure hope it works without to much run out after paying $50 for it including shipping.
 
Made one from steel also. Cheap weld on sprocket and hub from princess auto. Drilled and bored then threaded it. Mounted it on spindle to start cutting off the teeth that tightened it up. Still threaded off easy enough.
Jack

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I've made a couple from steel several years ago. At the time, the cheapest one I could get my hands on was about $130. I couldn't see paying that, plus I didn't have it at the time. One thing I did was apply antiseize compound to the threads and shoulder when mounting on the lathe spindle. Been working for over 14 years now!
Now that I have access to a cast iron source, I'll use C.I. instead of steel.

If anyone out there needs a small piece of cast iron for a project, let me know. If I don't have it on hand I can get it. It won't happen over night, but I can get it. You will have to pay postage for it unless you are close to me.
Ken
 
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