Atlas/Craftsman 101 lathe question

[outsider347]

Going thru a 12 in lathe I just bought.

The lathe had a "growel" coming from the QC box. Took it apart & the gear change shaft was bent. Ordered a replacement shaft as well as the long key that drives the gears.

Question is. How tight should the gears fit on the shaft with the key in place?. The gears slide over the shaft fine without the key. When I attempt to assemble with the key... super tight fit...would need a brass punch, which doesn't seem correct to me. Should the gears slide on the shaft/key easily ?

when I took it apart, the old key & shaft were "buggered up" pretty bad. Took a long time to get apart carefully.so I'm not sure how it was originality

Thanks for your help.

[Don Young]

The two gears that slide along the shaft have to slide without any binding. Check the key carefully to be sure it is going in the shaft groove all the way to the bottom. Regardless, a little careful checking and filing should get it working right.

The other gears should fit snugly on their keys as they do not have to move once they are in place.

[outsider347]

Thanks Don
Pretty much reassembled the way you suggested. works smooth now.