Very Basic Lathe Question

[LathamPipes]

OK, I need some advice from you veterans. Trying to save some money on shop purchases, I found what I thought was a good deal on a lathe online. large, new works well. All except one issue, I bought a 4 jaw self centering chuck, and after many bad purchases, finally found a faceplate that fits the chuck, but for the life of me I dont know what I am missing to mount that to the spindle! The threaded faceplate that came with the lathe is only 4 inches across, while the face plate for the chuck is 6. what am I missing? HELP!!!!

[Tyler]

You need to concern yourself with two things when buying a faceplate: mounting it to the chuck and mounting it to the lathe. Essentially a faceplate is an adapter. It lets chuck makers make the hard part (the chuck) universal, and then sell adapters (faceplates).

So we can't answer your question because we don't know
what you have on your hands, but finding a faceplate that fits the chuck is only half the battle. Also, fwiw, even the right faceplate is usually oversized with the intention that you will turn the faceplate to the perfect size for your chuck.

[PremalChheda]

If you can find a local machinist in your area, that would be the best option to get a faceplate fitted to your chuck. I think I spent about $40.00 for my guy to fit a bison 6" chuck not including materials.

[LathamPipes]

Thanks all!

[caskwith]

For the greatest accuracy the backplate for the chuck should be turned on your lathe. For a pipemaking chuck however this won't really be all that necesssary. Finding a suitable backplate should not be hard at all, you just need to know the size of the chuck you want to fit to it and what thread is on your spindle nose, then get yourself onto ebay.