Lathe Vibration

[CGR]

I have being using the same Record CL1 36 lathe for several years and usually turn handles from ash that are on average 18" long x 1-1/2" diameter. I have recently been experiencing a lot of vibration especially when beyond about 5" from the head stock (motor side). I have spoken to Record and they say there isn't really anything that would cause the vibration with the lathe and that I should turn from right to left to keep the strength in the wood. Trouble is I have been turning from left (head stock side) to right for years and never had the vibration. They also said it could be due to the chisels needing sharpening. I have tried to resharpened several chisels today and still get the vibration. Can anyone help with any suggestions - its driving me mad !

 

[Wildman]

obviously something is loose, unbalanced, or bearings are worn, check belt tension, and motor mounts, as well as making sure everything that should be oiled is and pulley screws are tight. You say it is worse 5" away from the headstock end. That is pointing then to the tailstock bearing. Try it with a dead center and keep it tight. If vibration stops then the bearing in the rotating center needs replacing. good luck

 

[CHJ]

Does the CL1 have a bronze front bearing or is it ball/roller.
If the first the front bearing may need adjustment.
If the latter may need adjustment or replacement.

With chuck or faceplate fitted, if you use a stout piece of timber, 75 or 100 mm sq. and a mtr or so long with the end placed between the lathe bed/bars and the edge of the chuck or faceplate, can you see any movement of the shaft in a vertical or side to side direction.

 

[dickm]

Don't know what head bearings the CL1 has, but if it's the good old Coronet tapered bronze bush nearest the spindle nose, could it be that it's got just enough play to allow vibration? If so, it's easily taken up by adjusting the rings on either side of the bearing.
(Sorry if this is Grandmothers and eggs!)

 

[=Adam=]

I have experienced similar problems with my cl1 36 recently so it would've good to find out the possible cause.

I am new to wood turning and the machines in general so unfortunately I don't have any constructive comments

Good luck though!


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.669082,-4.055653

 

[paulm]

I believe the adjustable bronze bearings are only fitted to the CL3 and 4, the other models being sealed for life non-adjustable bearings.

As Chas and others have said, you need to try a process of elimination to narrow down what the problem might be, starting with the simple stuff first like loose nuts and fastenings, drive centres, tail centres, chuck etc.......

Cheers, Paul

 

[Jonzjob]

I have reciently replaced the headstock bearings in my CL1 after they became noisy. Both bearings are stock items and easily removed. The 2 cost me less than about 16€.

To remove them all you need to do is to remove the Allen screw on the outside of the left hand side of the headstock and tap the shaft, and probibly the right hand bearing, out with a hammer and soft faced drift. A piece of wooden dowel will probably do it. Then tap the left hand bearing out with a drift bigger than the hole in the middle. Tap it out to the left through the hole in the headstock.

I removed the right hand bearing from the shaft with the bearing supported on the top of the jaws in my metal work vise and a few belts with a nylon faced dead weight hammer.

Installing was just the opposite and apart from getting the bearings it took less than an hour. If you do have problems phone the tech guys at Record Power. They were very helpful to me..

If you really like your CL1 and would like it even better, I put a 3ø variable speed motor on mine and I suppose that the only difference between mine and the bigger CLs now is that they have the phospher bronze head stock bearings? I am right chuffed with the new lathe that emerged!!

Good luck!

Edit : - I forgot to say. The bearings are bog standard stock ball bearings..

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Keep it strong, turn from right to left! .................pineapple!-I've not heard that one before.

 

[condeesteso]

I have a Coronet 1 (I believe that is the early CL1) and I learned from Jumps here that the brackets under head, tail and rest are oriented in relation to the upper assemblies. On each bracket there are 2 bearing surfaces on one side, and one on the other. These need to be orientated relative to the upper assembly (be it headstock, tailstock, whatever) to the opposite bearing surfaces above the bars - so the 2 on bracket goes against the 1 on tailstock etc. Hard to explain, very clear if you take a look at the brackets. This may be worth checking anyway, and sorry if you know that one already, I didn't!

 

[CGR]

I appreciate all comments as I have inherited the lathe from my father who used to take care of its up keep - I just used to turn up (no pun intended) at his workshop and use the lathe. Think I'll be busy today ! I'll post a comment once I have figured out what is wrong.

Thanks,

Robin

 

[Jonzjob]

Well Douglas, I have had my CL1 for about 14 years now and I have just found out that I have assembled it correctly :shock: I didn't knoe that there was any difference until you posted that and I had to go and have a look to make sure. The 'bearing surfaces' are quite small aren't they..

It is the same on the CL1.

 

[CGR]

Well, as Wellman mentioned turned out to be the rotating centre in the tail stock. Wear wasn't noticable when wood was clamped between centres but when checking the centre on its own there was quite a bit of movement. Temporarily fitted a fixed centre and vibration all but gone - obviously couldn't tightened the tail stock too much so hope that once I have fitted a new rotating centre all will be as new.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

Robin

 

[paulm]

Glad you're sorted Robin, and a nice easy fix too !

Cheers, Paul

 

[jumps]

Robin,

Depending on the live centre you may be able to just change the bearing in in....if you can get it apart you should find the bearing code stamped on it somewhere