Where do you guys get spindle liners for your lathes? I would like to run the occasional 3 foot bar in mine, now that I got it running and have a post that works fairly well. bore is 2.950"
1) Make a ring out of plastic that attaches to the end of the stock with a set screw. Machine the OD of the ring so it fits into the spindle ID. The ring attaches to the OD of the stock with set screw. The ring moves along the inside of the spindle with the stock as it gets pulled toward the chuck.
When the ring reaches the end push the ring and bar end out the back and reload. Down side is load, unload time and longer bar end/s.
2) Depending upon the operations, stock size and material type you may be able to use (make) a liner that attaches to the end of your tube and extends 12"-18" inside.
3) Buy PVC, HDPE or other plastic pipe with ID close to your material OD (general purpose recommend within 1/16-1/32). Make rings out of plastic or other material. Ring OD matches Spindle/Draw tube ID. Ring ID matches Plastic OD (slip fit). Place rings evenly along plastic pipe, set screw attaches rings to plastic pipe. Assembly goes into spindle/draw tube. You will need a stop (something) at the end so the assembly can't back out during operation.
This is what I do, but I glue the rings on. I also put O ring grooves in the rings for a push fit in the drawtube. I haven't had a problem with the spindle liner coming out with just the O rings holding it from backing out.
I also make split plastic bushings or find an O ring that fits the OD of the bar so that I can bridge different sizes of bar without having to buy every size of spindle liner.
I use the set screws because different machines have different size draw tubes. I like the idea of the O'Ring to keep it from backing out. I will try that if the opportunity ever comes up again.
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