ChuckinKona
Plastic
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2008
- Location
- Holualoa, Kona, Hawaii
Aloha Folks,
I have a question on adjusting the “friction” (clutch) on a 20” Model A L&S lathe, and I was hoping that somebody (somebodies?) might be able to shed some light. The lathe is a late (1954) speciman, with s/n of 41590.
The problem is that upon engaging the friction it will sometimes slip out of engagement on its own. It is more inclined to do this while taking heavy cuts, and on occasion has caused some tool breakage.
I’ll try to describe what I think may be relevant in the hope that it may help understand what is going on, and what might be done to improve the situation.
Lifting up on the handle that causes the square control rod to engage the friction. The movement of the tip of the handle is roughly a couple of inches and simply comes against resistance. There is no feel of anything “locking” or going over center.
There is no apparent braking action when the handle is pushed down, just disengagement of the friction.
I have backed out the “Friction Adjusting Nut” shown in figure 2 on page 5 of the manual. One half turn out and there is no engagement when the handle is lifted, one quarter turn shows just a little engagement. Turning the “Friction Adjusting Nut” in from the baseline about on quarter turn results in 100% engagement, that is no matter what you do with the handle/control rod the friction is engaged.
Should I back out the adjusting nut more, then do the proceedure in the manual (page 5)? Perhaps this will find some overcenter or locking function that then gets timed to the friction by turning the Friction Adjusting Nut in??
Appreciate any thoughts that anybody might have!
Mahalo,
Chuck
I have a question on adjusting the “friction” (clutch) on a 20” Model A L&S lathe, and I was hoping that somebody (somebodies?) might be able to shed some light. The lathe is a late (1954) speciman, with s/n of 41590.
The problem is that upon engaging the friction it will sometimes slip out of engagement on its own. It is more inclined to do this while taking heavy cuts, and on occasion has caused some tool breakage.
I’ll try to describe what I think may be relevant in the hope that it may help understand what is going on, and what might be done to improve the situation.
Lifting up on the handle that causes the square control rod to engage the friction. The movement of the tip of the handle is roughly a couple of inches and simply comes against resistance. There is no feel of anything “locking” or going over center.
There is no apparent braking action when the handle is pushed down, just disengagement of the friction.
I have backed out the “Friction Adjusting Nut” shown in figure 2 on page 5 of the manual. One half turn out and there is no engagement when the handle is lifted, one quarter turn shows just a little engagement. Turning the “Friction Adjusting Nut” in from the baseline about on quarter turn results in 100% engagement, that is no matter what you do with the handle/control rod the friction is engaged.
Should I back out the adjusting nut more, then do the proceedure in the manual (page 5)? Perhaps this will find some overcenter or locking function that then gets timed to the friction by turning the Friction Adjusting Nut in??
Appreciate any thoughts that anybody might have!
Mahalo,
Chuck