I posted this in the 7x10 group but the OT noise was so high I think
it just got lost. Anyway, I've adapted an Enco 5" 3 jaw on my Micro
Mart lathe and it's nice to look at, but I can't turn much without
chatter. Actually, small diameter stuff (<1/4") and facing near the
work center is okay, but that's it. I think there's too much overall
flex in the spindle/chuck/work "assembly". My theory is that the 5"
chuck, being rather heavy at ~12 lbs, may deflect things downward.
Since turning produces upward forces that are probably irregular I
get vibration. I checked for looseness and dull bits but things
looked okay.
Has anyone experienced this problem and resolved it?
I made the backplate out of aluminum tooling plate and had no
problems turning it because, I think, it was close to the spindle
faceplate and has little mass.
Should I go to a steel backplate? How about turning one from one of
those disc shaped 5lb cast iron weights? More weight but more rigid.
Thanks,
Marc G.
