Porper Lathe Mod

[Agent17]

Does anyone else has an issue with the lack of steady when working on shorter pieces on a Porper lathe?

I thought I would be able to make some collets and just use the the inside of the spindle to 'steady' my work. But I didn't realise the inner diameter does not run true to the outer. Mine wobbles out quite a lot. :frown:

Anyway, I modded the spindle so I can now slip a nylon/plastic collet inside that holds my work true to the chuck.

I did this by making an aluminium inner sleeve that sits inside the main spindle, without touching it, but locates between the bored backs of the chucks. This means 'my' inner spindle runs pretty much true with the chuck.

My new inner spindle diameter is 1.25", easily big enough for what I need.

1) This shows the spindle sliding in from back. You can see it is well clear of the inner diameter of original spindle.

2) This shows how the stepped part sits in the back of the chuck and vice versa at the back end when you slide the back chuck back on

If anyone is interested in this quick fix, I could get my engineer to machine some more.

I should add that the key to this working is having a back chuck. Although, if you do not have a back chuck then a collet could easily be made from nylon/plastic to sit around the back of the spindle and still locate my 'inner' spindle.

 

[cuemaker.mi]

I have two Porper Model B's. What I did was put a 4 jaw rear chuck on each lathe. Paid about 75 dollars each from ebay. Then I took some delrin and made a 12 inch dead center an inch in diameter with a sharp point. About 10 dollars. This is mounted in my rear chuck and runs into my spindle about halfway or more. That way I can work on short pieces without them wobbling, they only need to be center drilled on one end. Unlike the insert shown, mine does not limit the use of the lathe. Hope this helps.

 

[Agent17]

Aha! Good to know there is someone else out there with a Porper lathe mod. :smile:

Yes, good idea, and one which I considered. But for what I need, it would create more work, whereas the spindle does not limit me or create any extra work at all.

It took an hour to make a few collets that suit my work size and then it just sits in there permanently and 'centres' any diameter or length that I need without needing to centre drill anything, or in fact use the back chuck at all.

If I have longer workpieces, I use the back chuck as normal of course. But 'my' spindle stays put. The only time I would need to remove it, would be if I needed to feed through stock with a diameter over 1.25". Which I don't, so it's now a permanent fixture in my set up.

I'm very interested in the chucks you fitted though? Do you happen to have a link to them on ebay, or the name of them?

Thank you.

 

[cuemaker.mi]

I originally bought both of mine from Lee malikoff from Brianna Products but I think that he is not in the cue business anymore. Chris Hightower and Cue Components both sell them for around 75 dollars each I think. They come with a backing plate that slides over the spindle and is held on by two set screws. I went with the 4 jaw chuck myself. This has been One of my best upgrades so far (I have done many more to both model B's)
I'm also looking for any extra Model B lathe parts that are collecting dust and not being used. Let me know what you have.