Lathe collets

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

I finally investigated the spindle of my new lathe to determine what collets it will accept. Firstly it doesn’t accept the 2MT centre that the tailstock does so how do I turn between centres?

 

And how do I determine what collets it takes. Theres nowt in the manual I have for the lathe so if they are manufacturer specific, how do I get some?

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

If the MT2 just disappears inside but the angle appears right, try MT3. Plenty of cheap MT3 tooling/adapters about second hand so just buy one and try it.

 

Neil

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Hi Wolfie

 

What lathe is it please and what diameter is the hole at the nose of the mandrel ?

 

Norman

Edited By NJH on 24/12/2011 16:30:48

Edited By NJH on 24/12/2011 16:31:21

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Easiest way to turn between centres without using the spindle is to chuck up a bit of scrap bar, turn to a 60deg taper using the topslide and then without removing from the chuck use that as your centre. The leg of a cranked lateh carrier will usually slip between two of the chuck jaws and allow you to drive the work.

 

When you come to use the centre for the next job just give it a quick skim to true the point.

 

J

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

Its a Smart and Brown A Mk 2

I will have to measure the hole and the machine isn’t here.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Hi Wolfie

 

Well the details I found for for the Smart and Brown “A” gives the size of centres as No2 MT, as you say, but also quotes the spindle bore as 25mm. Now the No. 2 MT has it’s large diameter as 17.78 mm (0.7in) so I don’t think a standard No 2 MT centre is going to fit. ( I guess you already know this!) I do know that some larger lathes have reducing sleeves to fit in the mandrel to go from (say) No 5 to No 3 MT.

Now I’m sorry but I doubt that any of that is very useful to you but, hopefully, another lucky S&B owner will see this post and help. Jason’s method will solve your problem In the meantime..

 

Norman

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Seems like the Mk2 may have a bigger spindle. The 25mm bore would be right for MT4 if so get a short MT4-MT3 reducer and use commonly available tooling, ARC Euro do teh reducers.

 

J

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Hi Wolfie,

 

There is a manual for your lathe here. It may be of some interest and help if you haven’t one,

 

Best regards

 

Terry

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

That manual is better than the one I bought for £11 grrr.

 

However NEITHER of them mention the fact that to engage back-gear you have to throw the lever but ALSO turn an allen screw at the back of the spindle. If another of my club members didn’t also have an S&B I’d still be scratching my head over that one

Still no mention of collet type, but it says that the spindle bore is 63/64″

Edited By Wolfie on 25/12/2011 10:12:02

Edited By Wolfie on 25/12/2011 10:12:19

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Having had a look at the manual that Terry posted it looks like the spindle has a specific taper to directly take a collet and one of the standard accesorioes is a MT2 adaptor, presumably with the collet profile on the outside and a MT2 taper on the inside.

 

Looks like you need to track down some Sharp & brown collets and/or the adaptor.

 

 type of thing

 

J

Edited By JasonB on 25/12/2011 10:41:09

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Looks like you missed out on this set, note the one on the far right without the slots is the MT2 holder

 

It looks like S&B had their own specific collets on your lathe but some of teh others used standard 5C ones

 

Edited By JasonB on 25/12/2011 12:04:02

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Wolfie :

 

Smart and Brown still exist as a trading organisation but under a different name . They have masses of information on the different models and some original spares and accessories .

 

Very friendly and helpful – just ask them for the info you need .

 

http://www.barrystarling.co.uk/id4.html

 

MW

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