How does this lathe clutch work?

99Panhard · Jan 25, 2011

These are the parts of the clutch on my 15" Sidney. Until I took them apart I would have assumed that there was a thread of some sort on the big knob at the left that pulled the metal cone into the gear - a simple metal-to-metal cone clutch. However, that isn't the case at all. It looks as if there is a gentle taper on the knob that engages a taper in the gear and this is all. Is this right? I'd hate to get it all back together only to discover I'd missed something.

johnoder · Jan 25, 2011

L&S similar, but knob has a LH thread from itself to the spool or bearing.

Twisting knob right tight (which is also fastened to the shaft by a hex nut on those small threads) pulls on shaft and engages cone clutch.

It does this because as your turn knob to right or clockwise, it unscrews from bearing/spool and pulls shaft with cone thru gear and engages clutch.

On L&S, gear is attached to or is integral with spool. If you hold gear/spool and knock the knob loose CW it will unscrew.

Probably STUCK right now like many of the star knob clutches are.

J.O.

99Panhard · Jan 25, 2011

Thanks John,

I thought I must be missing something. It probably is stuck... in fact just about everything was.

JP

jimmiej · Jan 26, 2011

Sidney clutch

I have never taken mine apart. That said my large left hand star knob was stuck as well. After questioning on this site I tried gentle tapping with a brass drift on the star knob. That broke the knob loose and it has worked since. It is a metal on metal clutch. I turn it clockwise to engage and counterclockwise to disengage. Hope this helps. Jim

Mike C. · Jan 26, 2011

You may also find that, like the L&S clutches, these things don't always release completely. If the carriage seems hard to crank or wants to creep a bit, unscrew the clutch all the way and slap the knob inward with the palm of your hand.

timekiller · Jan 27, 2011

Paging Mike C.!!!!!!

Mike C.
Did you get the email I sent you yesterday?

Ray

99Panhard · Jan 27, 2011

Here are some better pictures... I worry that I'm not doing an adequate job of explaining the problem. I've added captions - the first time I've tried that, so they should be self explanatory.

jimmiej · Jan 27, 2011

star wheel

Panhard,
In your picture which starts "The star wheel. This is a solid piece......."
I watched what I could of the shaft as I spun my star wheel. I do not think it is a solid piece. It looks like it must be threaded between the two. As I spin my star wheel it moves out against the nut causing the clutch to be pulled tight. I took the nut off and when I spin the star wheel it moves in and out depending on the direction of spin. My conclusion is that the threading you mentioned in the beginning of this thread occurs between the star wheel and slotted shaft ( the piece with the slotted groove) which you have concluded is solid. Mine appears to slide back and forth. Mayhaps yours is stuck. Or mayhaps I am wrong. That is my best guess without taking the whole saddle off and apart which I don't want to do. Jim

jimmiej · Jan 27, 2011

sidney clutch

Panhard,
Yup its threaded. After further investigation I got the star knob off. Now lets see if I can post the pics.

Mike C. · Jan 27, 2011

Yes Ray, thanks. Nothing yet, we'll see.

Those star clutches are amost identical to the L&S ones. Pretty sure Billy Lodge was instrumental in the creation of Sidney, so not surprizing.

99Panhard · Jan 27, 2011

Bingo... you've got it. Thanks very much. As hard as I looked I couldn't see any interface where the threads would go between the big end of the star wheel and the smaller part - but now I see that the threads don't go all the way to the end. Thanks very much - you've saved me all sorts of sleepless nights. Heck, thats why I'm typing this at 12:47!

Is it a left or right hand thread?

Joe P

James Rogers · Jan 28, 2011

99Panhard said:
Bingo... you've got it. Thanks very much. As hard as I looked I couldn't see any interface where the threads would go between the big end of the star wheel and the smaller part - but now I see that the threads don't go all the way to the end. Thanks very much - you've saved me all sorts of sleepless nights. Heck, thats why I'm typing this at 12:47!

Is it a left or right hand thread?

Joe P

Left hand.

johnoder · Jan 28, 2011

Thanks everyone for such a great confirmation of my suppositions!

J.O.

99Panhard · Jan 28, 2011

John,
Its clear that your judgement is better than my eyesight.

Thanks again,
Joe P

Georges_G · Jan 4, 2017

I have the same kind of Clutch on mY old McDougall lathe ( 1920 1930 ) 21 inch swing lathe ( I can turn 21 inches in dia. ) The star wheels for the feeds are round and knearled on my lathe and stick in the on or the off position , I can dammaged my work peace or brake something on the machine . the Dia. of the clutch taper is smaller I would like to know if this can be fixed ? I use it as is but it would be better fixed !
I will send pictures soon

Georges_G

Mike C. · Jan 5, 2017

You learn to slap the knob as soon as you turn it to stop the feed. Slapping it with the open palm of your hand will release it instantly and completely.

DanLinsch · Jan 5, 2017

Mike C. said:
You learn to slap the knob as soon as you turn it to stop the feed. Slapping it with the open palm of your hand will release it instantly and completely.

I played around with these on an old Seneca Falls Star 9" and my Clausing Model 111 mk3, what worked best for me was finding some small springs between the cone on the two small shafts. These keep a gentle push outward on the cone, aiding in a release when the star wheel is turned.

Dan L

Georges_G · Jan 6, 2017

Sticky feeds on my lathe

DanLinsch said:
I played around with these on an old Seneca Falls Star 9" and my Clausing Model 111 mk3, what worked best for me was finding some small springs between the cone on the two small shafts. These keep a gentle push outward on the cone, aiding in a release when the star wheel is turned.

Dan L

My R.McDougall Lathe so worn that as you said there could be parts missing such as a spring , maybe a washer , bore and insert bushings ...

I do not have any drawing , Mannuals , or instructions for this lathe , I cannot even find a photo , I took 2 Photos but they are to general I plan to take a lot more ...

I am including the 2 I have

Georges_G · Jan 6, 2017

Mike C. said:
You learn to slap the knob as soon as you turn it to stop the feed. Slapping it with the open palm of your hand will release it instantly and completely.

Slapping the knob Should work but on my lathe I have to use the hammer and litly tap it in such way as to turn the knob not push in the left hand thred and the right han bolt lock together as (one) 1 in the off position or the on position ?
In the on position I could ram in to the chuck or my cross feed engages and scraps my work piece ??

johnoder · Jan 6, 2017

Starting about post #38 I fix one for a 100 year old L&S

Prior to that post lots of investigation

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...y/lodge-shipley-sr-15169-a-283281/index2.html

How does this lathe clutch work?

Stainless

Diamond

Stainless

Plastic

Diamond

Stainless

Stainless

Plastic

Plastic

Attachments

Diamond

Stainless

Aluminum

Diamond

Stainless

Plastic

Diamond

Aluminum

Plastic

Plastic

Diamond

Similar threads