Hold On Tight Improving Your Lathe Work Holding

Depending on the project you are working on, you can get your machine customized. From the amount of travel to the size of the table, you can talk to one of our team members here at Summit so we can get you exactly what you need.

First, do your routine daily maintenance. Pull all jaws out and inspect the back teeth for wear, apply some chuck grease, and clean off any chips. If you have a part in the jaws left over from the day before, make sure the chuck is still clamped down tight on it and do a visual inspection to make sure nothing has changed since you last used it. After the part is finished, or before starting a new part, quickly do your daily maintenance. It only takes a few minutes to improve the overall health and life of your Summit lathe. You might be tempted to skip this and get to work, but it could mean the difference between a scrapped part and a good part.

Second, there comes a time in the life of your chuck that it will need to be taken apart, deep cleaned, lubricated, and reassembled. This might be every six months or sooner, depending on how much work you put through your Summit lathe. A good indicator that it’s time is when the jaws become sticky or hard to tighten down. Your time is valuable, so prevent any setbacks by taking a moment to care for your chuck before it affects your parts.

Third, be aware of the conditions of your current job/part. Three things to keep in mind. 

• What kind of material are you cutting? If you’re using an abrasive material, the gripping power of your jaws can become less over time.
• How deep is your cut? The cutting pressure put onto a part also puts pressure on the chuck and jaws.
• How fast is the spindle speed? The centrifugal force on the jaws pulls them away from your material and has the potential to throw your part out of the machine if not properly tightened down.

Fourth, choose the right set of jaws for your job. Whether you are using hard jaws or boring out soft jaws, take a minute and start by visually inspecting each jaw for damage or warping. Next, clean off any chips inside and outside the bore of the jaws. One little chip in the jaws can cause numerous problems, from missed tolerances to poor surface finishes. Then, check that the bolts holding the jaws to the chuck are the right size and tightened down. Adjust the chuck pressure according to the material you are working with so the jaws hold it secure. Usually, when something is off with the jaws, you can see it right away. The material will turn irregularly in the spindle or the jaws won’t close enough to hold the part. If kept in good working order, jaws make your job easier and keep you and the people around you safe.

There are so many variables to think about before starting a part that we can’t possibly account for them all, but the “better safe than sorry” rule is always good to keep in mind. Doing the little things can make a big difference in the life of your Summit lathe.

Now let’s go to the other side of the lathe. For increased support on those extra-long parts, you depend on steady rests which need to be maintained just like the chuck. Make a visual inspection of the rest and clean off any chip build-up and excess coolant. Depending on what type of rest you are using, you should consult the owner’s manual for maintenance directions. All Summit lathes come with a steady rest because we know what you need to get the job done. 

What if you are working between centers? There are a few different techniques for doing this, but no matter what, make sure your part is held in the most rigid position possible. Take a look at both of your centers and clean off any chips, coolant, or oil. If you are using a live center, give it a turn by hand and make sure it’s spinning smoothly. Inspect the lathe dog for damage or if the set screw is worn. Clean off the drive plate and check it for damage before securing it to the spindle or putting it in the chuck.

There you have it, a few quick tips to improve your work holding on the lathe. Taking care of your chuck and jaws is the first step, then your steady rests and centers. Maintaining your Summit lathe can make all the difference in the long run. We give you the best quality machines with the knowledge you need to get the most out of your new lathe.