Clausin 5900 JFK 5C removal help

[VegasF6]

Hello, as some may remember I purchased a clausing 5900 some time back and have very slowly been attempting to get it into operating condition. I finally purchased a 4 jaw chuck with L00 adapter (face plate?? not exactly.) So, I am trying to take off the 5C collet closer (JFK) I am pretty sure this is it:
http://www.jfkprecisionproducts.com/partsdiagram.htm

I have the whole handle assembly off of the back as well as the collars that go on the outside of the spindle, and the draw bar is removed. But, the nose ring won't come off until I get off the collet adapter (part 201B or 201A, didn't measure it) It seems to be quite stuck in the spindle, and I will be darned if I can figure out how to get it out. I soaked it with penetrating oil and cut a piece of 1" pvc that is pretty much the right diameter to go through the back of the spindle and contact the collet adapter and wacked the heck out of it with a hammer, no go.

I have tried to use the spindle ring to force out the adapter, I don't have the spanner but I used a round punch and a 4 lb hammer and wacked on that as tight as I could get it. No go. The spindle ring has cracks in it so I am scared to go at it any harder, but I got pretty aggressive with it.

There is a little key inside the adapter (201K on the diagram) that near as I can tell just keeps the collet from spinning. I can't find any sign of a set screw, and I don't imagine the inside of the spindle on the lathe is threaded. So, is it just pressure holding the adapter in? Is it actually tapered on the outside?

What next, do I need to take pics? And on a quasi related note, would it be possible to have a new spindle ring made, and would it be cost worthy? As in, say no more than ~125 bucks?

 

[precisionworks]

I'd phone JFK on Monday & ask for suggestions - they've surely run into this before.

would it be possible to have a new spindle ring made

From the parts list, it looks like JFK still offers this as an available part (P/N 202C for $75). You won't find any shop that could make it for less than that.

 

[VegasF6]

Thanks, I will have to give JFK a call. The spindle ring I am talking about is a Clausing part. You can see it in this pic:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/clausing/page2.html
It is at the right side of the headstock behind the spindle taper. A good size cast iron ring, I haven't measured it or anything but I am going to guess it is 4" in diameter.

 

[precisionworks]

Clausing still stocks some parts, and it's worth a call to check on price & availability: Clausing Service Center, Goshen, Indiana. 800-535-6553 Be sure that you're seated when they quote the price

Joe at Plaza Machinery may also have this part, as he currently states "good availability" for the 5900 Series machines. [email protected] If he has it, the price will be half (or less) of Clausing's price.

Another option, and the one I'd try first, is to turn down the OD of the ring until you have a nice smooth surface. Then make a sleeve that will press fit over the ring - you'll want the sleeve ID about .004" smaller than the ring OD. Drill or mill four holes at 90 degree spacing, make a spanner to fit the holes, and it should work well. If the heavy press fit slips, tack well in four places on both the front side & the back side. A good table on press fit sizes at Engineers Edge:

http://www.engineersedge.com/general_tolerances.htm

 

[VegasF6]

Awesome. I called JFK today and they said put a pipe through the back side and hit it. So, I continued to wack it about as hard as I could until the PVC splintered. Hmm. So, I went and got a piece of 1" black iron pipe and put it in. I wound up for a massive hit and at the last second stuttered and pulled the blow for a little tap to line up the hammer. The silly adapter came flying out and I nearly went face first into the headstock! Now that it is out I see no signs of rust, not even any scratches in the black finish. I will be darned if I know why it was so hard with the PVC. I mean, sure it absorbs some of the impact but I was really hitting it! With the black iron I could have done it with a small ball peen.

I also called Clausing today. They were able to tell me it was shipped originally in 1955 to a shop in CA (where it probably spent its entire life in one shop or another) and they sent me out a manual for it. They really didn't have any info on the turret (model 7713) except that it was correct turret for the 12" lathes of that era. Said that there parts were very limited but they may have the sight glass at least. No go on the spanner.

I will check with Plaza, thanks for the resource! The ring does still hold but I am a little worried about the cracks. However, I don't imagine there is too much stress on it, unless perhaps if I have a crash.