Tool Live Center

[Aliva]

Made a new tip for my live center. I was tired of running out of room while turning close the end of a work piece.
I used 4140 and hardened it with my small 1 gallon forge. Also replaced the 6202 and pilot bearing

 

[Susquatch]

What a great idea. Makes me wonder if one could take a cheap live center, then buy better bearings and rebuild it.

Or are you further ahead to just buy a precision live center?

 

[Aliva]

A good live center can run anywhere from 200 to 600$. Making a new tip is a lot cheaper for my needs. the 6202 bearing was 5$. The pilot bearing was 12$ the thrust bearing wasn't changed.

 

[Proxule]

6202 P4 / P5 spec 5$?

 

[Aliva]

A little correction on the bearing it's a 6203ZZ 14$ list my cost $5.04 from a local supplier
Thrust bearing is 51203
Pilot bearing is NK7/10TN 12$ from Bearings Canada

 

[Susquatch]

A little correction on the bearing

Are you going to evaluate the runout?

 

[RobinHood]

Are you going to evaluate the runout?

I would stick it in the TS and grind the tip in situ - should be near zero run-out after that.

 

[Proxule]

I would stick it in the TS and grind the tip in situ - should be near zero run-out after that.

Yup. Use a rubber band or similarly fashioned around the TS center and on the OD of your cordless drill chuck.

 

[Susquatch]

Yup. Use a rubber band or similarly fashioned around the TS center and on the OD of your cordless drill chuck.

That is gunna take more splainin....

 

[Aliva]

When I made the tip I used my 3 jaw, turned it around and dialed it in a 4 jaw. to make the 30 and 60 degree tapers, the runout was less than 1/2 thou.
I hadn't thought of using a rubber band to check runout while in the tail stock, but that's a good idea. Not sure if I really want to know, might be hard to correct if its excessive.

 

[Proxule]

That is gunna take more splainin....

A picture is worth a thosuand words.

 

[DavidR8]

I like that channel!

 

[Susquatch]

A picture is worth a thosuand words.

Very nice. I'd have preferred the 1000 words, but am totally grateful for the learning! I would have never thought of something so simple.

Now I find myself wondering about similar methods for sharpening tools......

 

[Aliva]

6202 P4 / P5 spec 5$?

The 6203 bearing is of normal tolerances no need to get a high precision bearing as I seldom go above 600 rpm unless I'm polishing which is not often.

 

[Bandit]

Now that video, had some good ideas, as I have a couple of centres to clean up. If I could figure out how to get the larger one apart for bearing replacement/ clean/lube !!!? Can't figure weather the end cap is pushed on/ threaded or what.
Oh well, hands kind of full, project #? got moved up to #1 when an excavator showed up. What the!! " Oh dear, I heard Xx was going to be near with his machines, and I thought I would --------."
The rain has not helped that project, but it is advancing!

 

[Proxule]

The 6203 bearing is of normal tolerances no need to get a high precision bearing as I seldom go above 600 rpm unless I'm polishing which is not often.

You don't turn non ferrous much?

 

[Aliva]

You don't turn non ferrous much?

Correct. A little aluminum and some brass