Tailstock Taper Stuck

[PaulR]

I'm struggling to remove the MT2 drill chuck taper from my mini lathe. On my past machine I'd just wind the tube backwards until the taper popped out but this one just seems to stop and it feels as if the handle will slip if I exert more pressure. Seems like I need some sort of puller or maybe someone can suggest a simple way (I've tried refitting the chuck and using that to try twisting it free but no joy)?

[redhouseluv]

That looks like a Sieg, I had one before and had the same problem - I'm not saying this is the way to do it, as I don't want you to damage your lathe but I applied a bit of heat to tailstock outer, gripped the taper with some grips and it popped out. Remember to push the tailstock out to its full extent - brutal, I know!

I have a similar issue developing in my current tailstock (Warco) and can see a rough ring forming in the tailstock and sometimes have to tap the taper/drill chuck/tailstock die holder/centre out with a piece of wood.....maybe it needs replacing or machining smooth?

[PaulR]

That looks like a Sieg, I had one before and had the same problem - I'm not saying this is the way to do it, as I don't want you to damage your lathe but I applied a bit of heat to tailstock outer, gripped the taper with some grips and it popped out. Remember to push the tailstock out to its full extent - brutal, I know!

I have a similar issue developing in my current tailstock (Warco) and can see a rough ring forming in the tailstock and sometimes have to tap the taper/drill chuck/tailstock die holder/centre out with a piece of wood.....maybe it needs replacing or machining smooth?

Cheers, yep it's a Sieg. If the designer had any sense they'd have put a couple of flats in the black recessed bit so you could put a spanner or wrench on it. I put some rubber around it and tried some mole grips but was probably too gentle with it. I'll take a look with fresh morning eyes tomorrow!

[john mills]

i would check that the arbour is long enough for the screw in the tail stock barrel to push the arbour free
for the stuck chuck i would remove the barrel from the tail stock place on a hole so the barrel is supported and ideally press the stuck arbour out
with out a press knock with a drift with fits the hole as close as possible  use a reasonable size hammer.
i don't like heat have seen a few holders ruined  by heating which did not release the tool any way  tool had to be machined out
always make sure the tapper is clean and in good condition before fitting the hole in the tail stock barrel must be clean
john

[Admiral_dk]

On my cheap Chine Lathe you can loosen the Morse taper the same way as mentioned by turning the 'Wheel' a bit further - But that didn't work with my 'Live-Centre' 

Solved it by making a short plastic extension for the Live-Centre that pushes it out too 

Could you do something similar - perhaps with a Ring ...?

Per         

[PaulR]

On my cheap Chine Lathe you can loosen the Morse taper the same way as mentioned by turning the 'Wheel' a bit further - But that didn't work with my 'Live-Centre' 

Solved it by making a short plastic extension for the Live-Centre that pushes it out too 

Could you do something similar - perhaps with a Ring ...?

Per         

Is your plastic extension also tapered then and how is it fixed?

I tried some GT-85 lubricant with mole grips and protective rubber but that didn't work so I followed John's suggestion and disassembled the mechanism, stood it on the partly open vice and tapped it out. I've cleaned up the inside although it was barely dirty and refitted it all. I've only got three items that require the taper - the drill chuck, a live centre with taper built in and a dead centre - so the taper could be permanently attached to the chuck for all I care. Before refitting I retracted the chuck draws stood it upright on some timber inserted the taper and gave the end a smart whack with a mallet. Hopefully it'll stay with the chuck in future rather than sticking in the tube!! It seems to have worked as I used it for some centre drilling and then switched to the live centre with no problems.

[PaulR]

That looks like a Sieg, I had one before and had the same problem - I'm not saying this is the way to do it, as I don't want you to damage your lathe but I applied a bit of heat to tailstock outer, gripped the taper with some grips and it popped out. Remember to push the tailstock out to its full extent - brutal, I know!

I have a similar issue developing in my current tailstock (Warco) and can see a rough ring forming in the tailstock and sometimes have to tap the taper/drill chuck/tailstock die holder/centre out with a piece of wood.....maybe it needs replacing or machining smooth?

The problem with this Sieg is there's no through hole so I can't just tap it out from the back. might have sorted it anyway as per my other post

[redhouseluv]

Glad you got it sorted without any damage.......

you've got me thinking about my Warco now. I started cleaning tapers and the inside of the sleeve on the tailstock a while ago, but it may be too late and too scored to make a difference. I guess it might be time for a new sleeve seeing as the machine was 2nd hand when I bought it OR somehow machining it, but not confident with it being such a critical part!

[PaulR]

...but not confident with it being such a critical part!

Yep, that's why I was reluctant to even take it apart to begin with, last thing I want is stuff off centre before I even start!

[Admiral_dk]

I was lucky that there was a hole in the end of the Live-Centre (instead of the 'missing Tang') .... so that made it easy to turn a tight fitting 'Insert' (made from a broken clothes Hanger) 

Per       

[internal_fire]

For decades I had an older SB lathe that would not automatically eject some tapered tools when the tailstock was wound back all the way. I kept a small loose-fitting slug of steel that I put inside the taper when using those too-short tools. Then the auto-eject worked fine.

The slug was loose enough that a quick tap or shake of the tail stock would make the slug fall out.

Gene

[PaulR]

I was lucky that there was a hole in the end of the Live-Centre (instead of the 'missing Tang') .... so that made it easy to turn a tight fitting 'Insert' (made from a broken clothes Hanger) 

Per       

Thank you. Yes my troublesome one has a hole in too so might do the same or, as per Gene's idea, try a short length of metal.

[PaulR]

Good news... peeping in the hole shows it has an internal M10 thread so I can make a little threaded extension!

[PaulR]

Chopped the head off an old M10 bolt and tidied it up a bit, screwed it into the end of the taper and whoopee, the eject mechanism now works perfectly. I've lost a little travel but could shave more off the 'plug' to reach a satisfactory middle ground if needed.

[redhouseluv]

Nice, glad you found a simple inexpensive solution......

Here's the problem with mine, as you can see there are some very deep score marks. I blame brass which catches and then rotates the chuck in the tailstock.

I discovered there are such things as 3MT reamers which may have worked OR £20 for a new sleeve (quill) from Warco - I went for option 2