Minilathe drive gear

[rleete]

This is the story of a man with C.R.S. (for those who don't know, that's can't remember shoot, or something like that)

As I posted elsewhere, I broke the drive gear in my headstock. It's the smaller "transmission gear", #24 on the parts diagram. I was parting off, and had not sufficiently tightened the chuck. The part shifted under load, and climbed up the tool. It jammed/stalled and then nothing. No noise or drama, it just wouldn't go. I knew immediately what I had done. I opened it up, and sure enough the gear was toast. Busted right in the middle, mostly along the mold seam line. The teeth show pretty good wear from the abuse I've handed it over time. As they're either ABS of glass filled mylon, it's surprising they lasted this long.

After confirmation, I headed up to order a new one. I use LMS as my go-to place for mini lathe and mill parts. They've done me a few good turns over the years, so I reward them with more business. Anyway, the gear was something less than $14 shipped. It should be here tomorrow. So far so good.

I headed down tonight to finish the teardown and clean the parts up. As I dug around in my toolbox, I found the bag labeled "minilathe spare parts kit" which I had ordered six or eight months ago. Duh. Acutally, I ordered that for the toothed belt and pulleys that are included, because I was planning on making a X-axis drive for my mill.

Guess I'll have replacements for the replacements now.

[Turbinedoctor]

It's good to here you will be back in bussiness soon but even better to hear that I'm not the only one who forgets to make sure things are tight. Haven't broken anything yet but have caused my self extra work with re-do's.

[ScrapMetal]

It's good to know that I'm not the only one that ends up with double (or triple) "replacement" parts laying around.

-Ron