I was given a Central Machinery 14 x 40 lathe. I woul like to put an adjustable Chuck on it but it has a 5/8 spindle and I can't find an adapter to go from 5/8 to 3/4 or 1 inch. Any ideas out there? I have searched all over the Internet trying to find one...no luck. Maybe someone with more experience with lathes can steer me in the right direction. It is a model T31082 lathe.

what type of thread pattern does it have?

I don't really know...and I'm not sure how to find that out.

Try the following link:

[www.mscdirect.com]

I've had good luck with finding parts for my lathe.

The head stock shaft is 3/4-10 threads per inch.
Check this out for the manual.

[manuals.harborfreight.com]



John

This is a different model. I have a 3/4 to 1 inch adapter and it slides right over the threads. The Manuel looks like everything else is the same. The model number on mine is T31082. Can't find a Manuel for that model. But thanks for the try

Here is a 5/8th to a 1/8 set of threads.

However, remember, this is an imported lathe that may have metric threads. Use a dial caliper and measure the diameter of the threaded shaft to be sure.

A 5/8th shaft is .625 inches in diameter.

15mm = .59 ionches
16mm = 629 inches
17 mm = .669 inches
18mm = .709 inches

When I did some cross checking I have found that the spindle shaft threads for the Central machinery 31082 lathe has a shaft size of 17 mm, with metric threads.

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However, the central machinery lathe model # 67690 has a spindle threaded end of 3/4 X 10. Adapters may be purchased for 3/4 X10.

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The central machinery model 31082 has head stock beariangs of 20 mm and 17 mm.

My thought is this - pull out the head stock from the lathe that you have. You just need to loosen the allen screws that hold on the pulleys, remove the wheel on the end and then drive out the headstock shaft.

Then, measure the bearing size that is on that headstock. If that head stock uses 20mm and 17 mm bearings and it is the right length, you can order the spindle for the 31082 and use it to replace the head stock spindle that is in the current lathe.

Then, buy a 3/4 x 10 spindle adapter.

Here is a 3/4 x 10 to a 1x8 spindle adapter.

[www.pennstateind.com]

You will also need to measure the shaft size where the current pulley is located on the spindle, to insure that the new spindle would have the same shaft size for the pulley shaft. If, you find that the bearings fit, but that the shaft size is different where the pulley is located, then also purchase the pulley from the model 31082 to fit your lathe.

Pull the headstock spindle and do some measuring.

Good luck

Lots of them here, Just determin the you size you need. [bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net]

Jay,
Great information.
I am only guessing that the spindle is a size 17 mm.

But, I see that in your link that there is a number to call for special adapters to be made.

So, if the person takes out the headstock and goes to a decent hardware store and finds a nut that is a perfect fit on the spindle, they will know the correct thread size and pitch so that the correct spindle adapter is ordered.

[bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net]

Great information. Thanks much

Thanks so much for all the information. I think I have decided to sell the lathe I have and buy a different one...it does not really meet my expectations and even getting a special adapter is very costly....might as well get one that is more suited to my needs. Think I am going to get the Harbor Freight 18". It will do everything I need. And I love that you guys are so knowledgeable. Thanks for sharing that knowledge.

Thanks so much for all the information. I think I have decided to sell the lathe I have and buy a different one...it does not really meet my expectations and even getting a special adapter is very costly....might as well get one that is more suited to my needs. Think I am going to get the Harbor Freight 18". It will do everything I need. And I love that you guys are so knowledgeable. Thanks for sharing that knowledge.

Marie,
I assume that you are talking about buying this one?

[www.harborfreight.com]

If so, good choice.

The main head stock shaft has a 1/8 thread on the outside.
Both the head stock and the tail stock use an MT-2 taper on the inside.

I have essentially the same lathe with the Excelsior name on it. I also have the 18 inch bed extension which I find very helpful. One of the best uses for the bed extension is the ability to quickly slide the tail stock out of the way when working with multiple pieces, mandrels etc. If you can't get the tail stock out of the way, you sometimes have to do things differently with out the ability to move the tail stock down the extension.

If you want a bed extension, these extension's for the Excelsior will bolt right up to your potentially new lathe since it is the same lathe with a different name on it.

[www.rockler.com]

By the way, rockler has the Excelsior lathe for sale for the same price as Harbor freight:

[www.rockler.com]

Marie,
I assume that you are talking about buying this one?

[www.harborfreight.com]

If so, good choice.

The main head stock shaft has a 1x8 thread on the outside.
Both the head stock and the tail stock use an MT-2 taper on the inside.

I have essentially the same lathe with the Excelsior name on it. I also have the 18 inch bed extension which I find very helpful. One of the best uses for the bed extension is the ability to quickly slide the tail stock out of the way when working with multiple pieces, mandrels etc. If you can't get the tail stock out of the way, you sometimes have to do things differently with out the ability to move the tail stock down the extension.

If you want a bed extension, these extension's for the Excelsior will bolt right up to your potentially new lathe since it is the same lathe with a different name on it.

[www.rockler.com]

By the way, rockler has the Excelsior lathe for sale for the same price as Harbor freight:

[www.rockler.com]

Thanks for the info. We have a Harbor Freight near us and they have a 20% off coupon so I'll get it pretty reasonably. I will see if I think I need the extension and will be able to add it later. I'm pretty new to the lathe and have a lot to learn...but I was new to Rod building 1 1/2 years ago and I find myself getting pretty at it now...never thought I could do what I am doing now! I am hooked!