What is this part called?

[heavymetal673]

Greetings board.
I have a 10" South Bend lathe. One part is missing but I don't know what its called or where to get it.
The lathe came with a set of collets. However, there is a piece that fits into the spindle before you can insert a collet or center, etc. This is the part that's missing. I don't know what the part is called so I am having a hard time finding one.

Thanks for your help.

Mitch Smith

[SGW]

"Collet closer" is I think what you're looking for, as far as the collets go.

For a center, you probably need a Morse-whatever-to-Morse-whatever taper adapter.

Which 10" South Bend do you have?
The 10K takes 6K collets, which go directly into the spindle -- they don't need a collet closer. The collet closer is built in. The spindle is also Morse #3.

The "big" 10" SB takes 5C collets, and I'm pretty sure they do need a collet closer. I don't know what the spindle taper is.

[heavymetal673]

I'm not really sure what the lathe is. According to http://www.southbendlathe.com/serialno.htm
10", Quick Change Gear (QCG), Friction Feed Apron, Underneath Motor Drive (UMD)
Special Spindle.

I've searched through MSC and Travers but I can't find just the collet closer. I suppose I'll have to call South Bend to figure it out for sure.

[JCHannum]

The part that fits into the spindle and accepts the collet is called a collet adapter or collet sleeve. They are available from Royal, and others who make collet closers, which is the name for the complete assembly.
South Bend may have too, but the price from either will give you stomach cramps. They are not too difficult to make, mild steel is fine for HSM use,and if made directly in the spindle accuracy will be fine.
You might want to find out what that special spindle refers to.

[This message has been edited by JCHannum (edited 12-20-2003).]

[SGW]

It's probably a "heavy 10" or 10L. If the spindle nose is 2 1/4" dia, more or less, it is.
The 10K spindle nose is 1 1/2" dia. I don't know for sure, but I strongly suspect all 10K spindles are threaded 1 1/2 - 8.

I like JCHannum's idea of making your own collet closer and, if you get the price of one from Royal, the idea will look pretty good to you too, I bet. For something like that I might go to the effort of getting some Stressproof (1144) steel, which machines to a gorgeous finish and would make for a nicer job than "generic" mild steel...although that would work too.

Or check with the usual suspects list of used machinery dealers who advertise in HSM: Meridian, Plaza, Sobel, etc., and see what they can do for you.

But like JCH says, find out what that "special spindle" is.....

[Evan]

Make your own. As JCH says, the price of parts from SB is terrible. I priced a crossfeed nut from them and they want $65.00 for it. I will make one.