The last couple months I have been turning pens. Boy o boy talk about
instant gratification! I thought it was quick with bowls but turns
out not to be the case.
Anyways, I bought some pen blanks, the first time I ever purchased
wood. I'd been using free wood that alerted me to its existence by the
sound of the siren [read: someone using a chainsaw in the vicinity].
So I am turning this pen blank down and stop ever so often to look.
My oh my what beautiful designs and swirly colours! I was still a
good sixteenth or so away for the minimum size; that being on the ends
where the two halves of the pen meet.
Now I can't recall reading here anything about stopping before your
finished cause the patterns are sl lovely. This is true for both
bowls and pens and perhaps other items. Not really a question here
but more of an observation.

I do have a question though. I have a Jet 1236 and recently see that
my speed control is stuck due to what I think is the upper (or
spindle) pulley being stuck. It will work fine in the two lower
positions but beyond that I have to take off the cover and --gently--
tap the upper pulley while working the handle back and forth. Has
anyone successfully addressed this issue without too much difficulty.
I like this lathe and have been using it now for 4 or 5 years.

"Kevin" wrote: (clip) It will work fine in the two lower
positions but beyond that I have to take off the cover and --gently--
tap the upper pulley while working the handle back and forth. Has
anyone successfully addressed this issue without too much difficulty.
(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Thank goodness you are asking this question now, while it is still possible
to move the pulley half. If you wait long enough it will stick solid, and
take monumental effort to free it up. DAMHIKT. Clean and wax the shafts
so the pulley halves move freely. I recommend wax in preference to oil or
grease because doesn't collect wood dust.

Then, put yourself on a program of preventive maintenance by cleaning things
BEFORE it happens again (Maybe every 6 months?)

If you ever do have to take off the circlip that holds the spring against
the pulley half, tie a string to it before you do anything else. That clip
can be hard to find among the wood chips.

Kevin
Is the 1236 a lathe with a Reeves Drive like my Craftsman? If so, the pulley
needs some lubrication. I like graphite as it does not attract dust like
oils do. If you disassemble the Reeves drive it usually applies pressure to
the pulley system with a spring. Be ready for it! You might like to look at
how I take mine apart. http://aroundthewoods.com/lathelube.html

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
http://aroundthewoods.com
http://roundopinions.blogspot.com
"Kevin" wrote in message
...
The last couple months I have been turning pens. Boy o boy talk about
instant gratification! I thought it was quick with bowls but turns
out not to be the case.
Anyways, I bought some pen blanks, the first time I ever purchased
wood. I'd been using free wood that alerted me to its existence by the
sound of the siren [read: someone using a chainsaw in the vicinity].
So I am turning this pen blank down and stop ever so often to look.
My oh my what beautiful designs and swirly colours! I was still a
good sixteenth or so away for the minimum size; that being on the ends
where the two halves of the pen meet.
Now I can't recall reading here anything about stopping before your
finished cause the patterns are sl lovely. This is true for both
bowls and pens and perhaps other items. Not really a question here
but more of an observation.

I do have a question though. I have a Jet 1236 and recently see that
my speed control is stuck due to what I think is the upper (or
spindle) pulley being stuck. It will work fine in the two lower
positions but beyond that I have to take off the cover and --gently--
tap the upper pulley while working the handle back and forth. Has
anyone successfully addressed this issue without too much difficulty.
I like this lathe and have been using it now for 4 or 5 years.

I am unsure about Jet Lathes, I don't think they're sold inthe Uk.If it is
speed control via adjustable sliding pulleys, then I'm afraid you need to
disassemble the pulley mechanism, and coat the splines on the driveshaft
with dry lubricant( failing all else, black lead or ground up lead from a 6B
pencil). This treatment has worked to keep my Draper lathe working well for
5 years.
"Kevin" wrote in message
...
The last couple months I have been turning pens. Boy o boy talk about
instant gratification! I thought it was quick with bowls but turns
out not to be the case.
Anyways, I bought some pen blanks, the first time I ever purchased
wood. I'd been using free wood that alerted me to its existence by the
sound of the siren [read: someone using a chainsaw in the vicinity].
So I am turning this pen blank down and stop ever so often to look.
My oh my what beautiful designs and swirly colours! I was still a
good sixteenth or so away for the minimum size; that being on the ends
where the two halves of the pen meet.
Now I can't recall reading here anything about stopping before your
finished cause the patterns are sl lovely. This is true for both
bowls and pens and perhaps other items. Not really a question here
but more of an observation.

I do have a question though. I have a Jet 1236 and recently see that
my speed control is stuck due to what I think is the upper (or
spindle) pulley being stuck. It will work fine in the two lower
positions but beyond that I have to take off the cover and --gently--
tap the upper pulley while working the handle back and forth. Has
anyone successfully addressed this issue without too much difficulty.
I like this lathe and have been using it now for 4 or 5 years.

In message , c.les hewitt
writes
I am unsure about Jet Lathes, I don't think they're sold inthe Uk.If it is
speed control via adjustable sliding pulleys, then I'm afraid you need to
disassemble the pulley mechanism, and coat the splines on the driveshaft
with dry lubricant( failing all else, black lead or ground up lead from a 6B
pencil). This treatment has worked to keep my Draper lathe working well for
5 years.

JET are sold in the UK, the franchise being owned by Axminster.co.uk
The budget range of Axminster Lathes are like the Grisley But I believe
they are imported by JET There are several others Brads selling the same
beasts. They use the adjustable sliding pulleys ( mine has them) One
other thing to watch for is a grub screw on the motor output shaft
between pulley and motor sometimes these work loose so the whole thing
becomes less effective

--
John