COLLET CLOSER FOR JET 1236PS LATHE

[Steggy]

Shortly after I got my JET 1236PS lathe, I fitted it with a 5C collet chuck, from which I've gotten plenty of use since. Along with the lathe, I received various odds and ends, not all of which I had inventoried at the time. They had been in a box on a shelf for the last several years.

Recently during a shop cleanup, I decided to look at the odds and ends and decide if I should keep them or get rid of them. Much to my surprise, one of the items turned out to be an MT5-to-5C collet adapter sleeve. It’s a precise fit into the spindle’s bore and a 5C collet fits in it. JET didn’t list it as a standard accessory in the manual, which is why I was surprised to find it.

Anyhow, mounting a collet directly into the spindle would have several advantages over using the collet chuck, not the least of which would be very low runout. Obviously, I will need some sort of collet closer. I'm not using this lathe for any kind of drawn-out, repetitive tasks, so whether the closer is lever-operated or uses a wheel doesn't matter. I should mention that the bore through the spindle is 1-1/2".

I’ve entertained the thought of tracking down a draw tube that has the necessary internal thread at one end and then making the rest of it. However, I really don’t want to expend time manufacturing a collet closer. Modifying something made for another lathe might be practical, but doing it from scratch is out—I’ll stick with the collet chuck if I can’t buy something reasonable.

Any suggestions?

[NP317]

Use what you have that works, and sell the other items.
((-;
RussN

[John Evans]

Don't be so lazy ! Get a piece of seamless tube ,cut a internal thread ,buy a thrust bearing from McM/C ,whip up a handwheel. I have seen pre threaded tube available . Not a big project ,made several for a couple of lathes I have had. Look on eBay as over the years I have seen several handwheel draw tubes on there. But you will probly find it cheaper to build your own . Jet obiviously used standard MT-5 and those adapters are common ,not like South Bend and Clausing to name a few that used none standard spindel tapers.

[Bill Shields]

I have made several as John has described above...it is a standard tube size...

after about 25-30 years of hard use, the threads get wonky...

no, I have never bothered to harden any of the threads since 'this will last as long as I am going to live'........

fortunately, i have been wrong on 2 occasions (2 different lathes with 2 different length pull tubes - identical other than that).

before you use the adapter, be SURE you have a spindle saver nut / extractor. They are a bear to get out otherwise...

[Steggy]

Don't be so lazy !

It’s not a matter of laziness, but time.

I’m not in good health anymore and can’t tolerate the “long burn” I used to be able to do in the shop. As I tire relatively quickly, frequent breaks are a necessity. I’ve got to be careful with overextending myself, as I’m usually alone in the shop while working. I don’t want my “landlord” coming into the shop some morning and encountering flies buzzing around a cadaver.

Bottom line is I have to pick and choose what I do to maximize productivity. The goal is to complete the F-unit project, not tinker with machine tools. I’m way behind the eight-ball with the F7—it should have been done 10 years ago. Make parts for the lathe so I can make parts in the lathe will only worsen things. A few years ago, such a diversion was no big deal. Now it is.

My question was that of asking for suggestions on a collet closer solution that doesn’t entail the manufacturing of a bunch of parts. As I said in my lead post, I’m okay with modifying an existing closer to fit my lathe, if it’s practical to do so. If I do have to go the manufacturing route, I’ll just stick with the collet chuck.

[Bill Shields]

I hear you in the concerns..well into that stage of life also

Maybe purchase a closer tube that may be too long, and be prepared to make a sleeve or move the handle.

It is easy to approximatt the needed length with a broomstick up the spindle with a collet in place

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115564411949