So I bought a used SCM T124 lathe a couple years back for $1,300.00 and knew the drive center was tight, but wow! Since I have time on my hands with art furniture commissions way down, freeing it up on my shop to do list. I would like to look at putting a Nova chuck on eventually.
This is the headstock, just to be clear and I have a 5/16"dia x 16"L SS drive rod thru headstock I have been knocking on, but do not want to go overboard.
I have used the penetrating liquid wrench over two days and lead mallet to no effect.
Questions:
Planning on mapp gas heating the threaded spindle and cooling the #2 Morris taper drive center? But outside of the aerosol dusters cans for computer cleaning how can I localize cooling the drive center to poopenshaffen it out?
Or should I just bite the Mcmaster Carr bullet and get the taper wedges?
Utube University has been no help except for Mr Pete aka Tubal Cain making his own wedges but for $12.00 I'll buy. It's not critical as I have an old Clausing metal lathe that gets me by, but am working on keeping wood and metal in their respective corners.
Anybody have any other tried and true suggestions?
Thanks,
Tom