Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Reversing the Jet mini lathe *LINK*
john kaner
I didn't want to hijack the thread about the Jet 1236...
John K. Jordan mentioned reversing Jet mini and I remembered the link right here on WOODCENTRAL...
http://www.woodcentral.com/woodworking/forum/archives_turning.pl?pro=search;pmd=sread;srchid=27064v5Q6oJ6CU3xx5f21319906969;spage=1;sanc=78692;sbid=2105;md=read;id=78692#m_78692
Don't forget the warning given at the time
Dick Coers
Cut and pasted from the AAW forum;
The December 2011 AAW Magazine has an article on how to add reverse to a mini-lathe.
While it has a warning in the text of the article, the warning is not firm enough. Please understand that is you make this mod to an electronic variable speed lathe, YOU MUST NOT CHANGE THE SWITCH POSITION WHILE THE LATHE IS TURNING!!!!!
Doing so will blow up the electronic speed controller and the lathe will not work except after some expensive repairs.
Re: Don't forget the warning given at the time
Richard Hines
I did this to my mini Jet a few years ago and love it. As far as the chuck coming off when the swt is reversed I have had no trouble with the chuck coming off. I snap the chuck on before turning the lath on.
I have no trouble with the chuck unscrewing. Same go for my 3520 PM. I have never used the locking screws on either. I know someone that screwed up his threads because he forgot the set screw was used.
As a friend of used to say " when you are stupid you are suppose to suffer"
Great Reminder, thanks Dick!
Re: Don't forget the warning given at the time
AZ in Colorado Springs
Do you cut in the reverse direction? I only sand in the reverse direction.
A couple years ago I saw someone try cutting on a bowl in the reverse direction. The chuck unscrewed and rammed the bowl into the tool rest. Needless to say, that's pretty hard on the bowl.
Re: Don't forget the warning given at the time
David Walser
[A couple years ago I saw someone try cutting on a bowl in the reverse direction. The chuck unscrewed and rammed the bowl into the tool rest. Needless to say, that's pretty hard on the bowl./i]
Most chucks have a set screw for preventing the chuck from spinning loose when running the lathe in reverse. If you going to run in reverse, it’s best to use the set screw. Having said that, I’ve only (intentionally) turned in reverse a few times. I tried it for hollowing. Didn’t see any advantage to it.
Re: Don't forget the warning given at the time
john lucas
If you put the chuck on and then snug it up with your chuck key it probably won't come off. I say probably because in all the years I've been doing this I had the chuck come loose one time on a big bowl about 16". Maybe I didn't snug it that time or maybe it was before I started doing that and is what made me start. Don't remember. I have only seldom cut in reverse on bowls but do it all the time with my hand mirrors. I do sand bowls in reverse. Not saying that it can't happen and everyone should be cautious. I don't own a single chuck or faceplate that has set screws so tightening those is simply not an option for me.
turning in reverse
John K Jordan
>>>Do you cut in the reverse direction? I only sand in the reverse direction.
A couple years ago I saw someone try cutting on a bowl in the reverse direction. The chuck unscrewed and rammed the bowl into the tool rest. Needless to say, that's pretty hard on the bowl.
I occasionally cut in reverse to cut on the back side to better see the inside of a bowl. I've never had a chuck unthread. As Mr. Hines mentioned, I "snap" the chuck the last 1/8th turn or so with a "calibrated" wrist flick. As long as the mating surfaces are clean this really holds, needing a firm tug on the chuck wrench to remove it. (I always use a wrench, never the chuck key.)
JKJ