Powermatic PM2020 manual Live center and cone, Indexer, Centers installing/removing

9.5Live center and cone

The live center cone, shown in Figure 16, screws clockwise onto the threads of the live center body.

To remove the cone from the live center, first insert the live center pin through the hole in the live center body as shown in Figure 16. If the pin will not insert at first, rotate the cone until the pin can be inserted. The cone can now be removed by holding the body stationary while unscrewing the cone.

Figure 16

9.6Indexer

The indexer allows you to cut evenly spaced features in a workpiece while keeping the Lathe headstock spindle locked; for example, when cutting flutes on a spindle blank with a router, while the spindle blank is secured within the Lathe centers.

There are 12 holes in the spindle collar spaced 30° apart, and 4 holes in the headstock casting which accept the index pin (see Figures 17 and 18). The combination of holes will allow you to mark your workpiece for evenly spaced features.

1.To use the indexer, thread the index pin (Figure 17) into one of the four holes until the index pin engages the spindle and prevents it from turning. This will be your first indexing position.

Figure 17

Figure 18

2.Unscrew and remove the index pin, and look down the hole, carefully counting the number of holes as you rotate the spindle using the handwheel. Continue to rotate the spindle until you reach the hole needed for your second flute cutting, then re-insert the index pin.

3.Refer to the more detailed instructions and chart in sect. 13.0 to determine in which holes to place the index pin relative to the number of features desired in your workpiece.

IMPORTANT: Remove index pin before turning on the Lathe!

9.7Centers: installing/removing

1.Disconnect Lathe from power source.

2.To install a spur center or live center (the spur center should first be mounted to your workpiece; see under “Operation” for more details), clean the tapered end of the center and the inside of the headstock taper spindle, then push the center into the headstock spindle.

3.To remove a spur center or live center, first remove the workpiece from the Lathe. Insert the knockout rod (Figure 19) through the hole in the handwheel and firmly tap the tapered end of the spur center. The sliding collar on the knockout rod helps give the necessary impact without having to use a mallet against the end of the rod.

IMPORTANT: Hold the center by either placing your thumb and forefinger on the outside diameter of the spur center, or wrapping the center with a rag. The center can be damaged if allowed to fall.

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