Small spindle head

**bambuko** · 06-12-2009

You are welcome Peter,
but I doubt that your Chinese lathe is using German spindle.
It's more likely American spindle?
Have a look at Lathe Spindle Nose & Backplate Fittings at lathes.co.uk
Chris

later edit:
It would appear (from this web page) that C6 has copied some aspects of DIN short taper spindle, but missed the most important ie "taper".
In which case it looks like it is "Sieg special" and it does not conform to any norms?

**bambuko** · 12-12-2009

latest update:
Finished tip for DTI to be used in clocking the tapers.
Here being set up vertically:

Almost ready to start turning the spindle ...

**bambuko** · 17-12-2009

Today got a chance to try clocking the taper.
My idea was to use actual collets to set the angle - clearly an iffy idea because they are not solid, but worth a try before using something more complicated.

When preparing the spigot I made sure it's diameter was the top of the collet range - ie when using 9mm/8mm collet, the spigot was 9mm.

Also having clocked the largest collet, I than turned the spigot down and clocked smaller collet and checked whether the readings were the same for both:

I have managed to clock the taper to within +/-.0008 for both collets.
I don't know if this is good enough ... but I will try to go with it

**bambuko** · 24-12-2009

I have turned test piece, using topslide set as described and ...
It would have probably been good enough for most other jobs,
but I wasn't happy - I am blue all over :heehee: but the fit of the collets in the spindle is not up to my expectations

.
Mostly to do with the boring tool (stiff one was too big, and the next one I had, was too flexy). So need to make better one, just right for the job.
Also will try another/better method of setting the angle.