23
MAINTENANCE
TAILSTOCK MAINTENANCE
The occasional disassembly and cleaning/lubricating of the lathe’s quill and screw is proper regular maintenance of this
machine. One of the common issues with lathe quills is that the 2 grooves in the quill sides get damaged by the tailstock’s
positioning set screws from the rotational pressure from normal use, and especially by drilling. The sides of the grooves
can expand up & out beyond the diameter of the quill, thus making it harder to slide through the tailstock casting from the
resulting friction.
To solve this, just use a fine metal file to carefully take down the offending raised metal on the exterior of the quill’s
grooves. Also make sure that the grooves’ slots inside walls are smooth. This process is also covered on many internet
videos on tailstock maintenance.
Another thing to check is the nub end on the hex screw of the rear locking handle. The round nub end could have expand-
ed in diameter from the locking pressure that has been put on it, and thus contribute to its binding in the slot that it slides
in. The nubs’ circumference can be carefully filed down so it is again narrower than the width of the quill slot. The quill’s
front set screw has nubs with 2 flats for best sliding action in the forward quill slot. This should not expand under use or
require any maintenance other than to make sure the flats are positioned parallel in the quill slot and lightly lubricated.
Lastly, the overall cleaning of the screw and other surfaces of any debris and old oil/grease should also be done, then
reapply new grease or oil to lubricate the parts.
FYI, many turners find drilling with their tailstocks faster and with more control by not using the tailstock’s screw. They just
slide the unlocked tailstock with drill bit forward-and-back by hand. They can better control the drilling of their holes and
then remove the shavings inside of the turnings faster than by cranking the tailstock handwheel.
1. Before each use:
- Review the Safety Instructions listed on pages 3 to 7.
- Check the power cord and plug for any wear or damage.
- Check for any loose screws, hardware, locking handles,
jigs or various lathe accessories.
- Check the area to make sure it is clear of any misplaced
tools, lumber, cleaning supplies, etc. that could hamper the
safe operation of the machine.
2. Avoid a build-up of wood shavings and dust. Regularly
clean all parts of the machine using a soft cloth, brush or
compressed air. A general cleaning should be done after
every use to avoid future problems and ensure that the
machine is in ready condition for its next use.
WARNING:
If blowing sawdust, wear proper eye protection
to prevent debris from blowing into eyes.
3. Keep the lathe bed free of resin and rust. Clean it
regularly with a non-flammable solvent, then coat with a
light film of dry lubricant spray, or wax, to enhance passage
of the tool rest base, tailstock and upper sliding bed on/
over the lathe bed.
Turn the power switch “OFF” and disconnect the plug from the outlet prior to adjusting or maintaining
the machine. DO NOT attempt to repair or maintain the electrical components of the motor. Contact a qualified service
technician for this type of maintenance.
4. Keep the lathe tools sharp and make sure the steel is
not loose in the handle so that no accidents might occur.
Making sure that they are in proper operating condition will
ensure that the quality of your turning will be the best
possible.
5. Check all lathe accessories (spur centers, live centers,
chucks, tool rests, etc.) to ensure that they are in perfect
working condition.
6. The lathe’s ball bearings are lifetime lubricated, sealed,
and do not need any further care. To prevent slipping, k
eep
the drive belt free of oil and grease.
7. When not in use, make sure that the #70-1824VSR’s
Main ON/OFF Switch that is located on the lathe’s inverter
box is turned off. This will prevent any damage to the
lathe’s electrical system and prevent any unauthorized use.
Note that the switch will also hold a lock to further secure
the lathe from being activated. See page 15 for details.
8. To prevent any dust from accumulating in the electrical
outlet located on the lathe’s inverter box, keep the supplied
outlet cover installed when not in use.