Thread: Can't get the headstock to release

I saved a SB 16 inch lathe from an abandond shop several years ago, not a bad lathe, ways looked pretty good, several chucks. The roof on the building was bad and there was water standing on the floor.

The motor appeared to have bearing problems, so I had a 1ph motor that I substituted to get it going.
After lubing things up, I gave it a go to see how it did. Seems tight enough. When I tried to get the pin to release the bull gear (right behind the chuck) It won't slide down to release, I can pull it out and wiggle it, but it won't slide down in the slot.
Is the cone pulley seized on the mainshaft?

Originally Posted by rj1939

I saved a SB 16 inch lathe from an abandond shop several years ago, not a bad lathe, ways looked pretty good, several chucks. The roof on the building was bad and there was water standing on the floor.

The motor appeared to have bearing problems, so I had a 1ph motor that I substituted to get it going.
After lubing things up, I gave it a go to see how it did. Seems tight enough. When I tried to get the pin to release the bull gear (right behind the chuck) It won't slide down to release, I can pull it out and wiggle it, but it won't slide down in the slot.
Is the cone pulley seized on the mainshaft?

Sure sounds like it. I just had the headstock apart on a 16" SB. Somewhere along the pulley faces, there is one or two Allen Head screws that you're supposed to pull and oil occasionally.

You probably have already figured that out. Anyways, the flat belt pulley/conehead thingy is plain-bearing, and something like PB Blaster could help weaken/loosen the bond between pulley head and shaft.

The pin you're referring to - pulling it disengages, and sliding it to the end of the slot "parks" it.

So, if you chucked something like a large Allen wrench to use as a lever, engaged the backgear, and pulled out and held the pin, you might be able to rock the mainshaft free, using that allen wrench as a handle.

Using the backgear will give you a LOT of mechanical advantage - it's what I'd try.

Just so happens, I got a box of REAL big allen wrenches the other day (like 3/4 or 1 inch or so)
I have tried freeing it using a similar method, but this would let me get a bit more aggressive. I have been soaking those holes on the cone pulley with diesel fuel/atf mix........not sure how much is finding its way in there.

That release isn't easy to operate at its best. I fight with mine every time. Both ways. Maybe you ain't holding your mouth right. lol Kenny

Originally Posted by sicero

That release isn't easy to operate at its best. I fight with mine every time. Both ways. Maybe you ain't holding your mouth right. lol Kenny

I've been wondering if there is something I am not familiar with, such as an eccentricity with it. Even though it was in a place where there was water issues, it doesn't seem that rust would get started in there real readily.

SUCCESS.......

I took a BIG hex wrench put it in the chuck and took a drill hammer and started tapping it (the pin was in release position, have not messed with it for several months, so I couldn't remember for sure which position it was stuck in) but it has been soaking for all this time and some raps with the drill hammer on the wrench and I thought I could see some movement........just kept getting more free.........and wala it started turning very freely.
I let it set there and run in back gear for a while..........runs very quiet, especially for the condition it was in.

I was wanting to set this one up strictly old school, lantern tool post..........can't wait to try threading now.

Some days, things just go right.