WW Lathe Question

[Michael Ciskowski]

I want to disassemble the head stock on a Webster Whitcomb headstock on a US Watch Tool Co. lathe to remove the pulley. Can someone advise me how to do it. Left hand end has a dust cover and a threaded ring that comes off. Next is a collet that appears to be threaded on but can see no way to get a safe grip on it to remove it. Thank you, Mike

[DRichards]

Hi Mike,
On the back of the headstock where the draw bar enters, you would remove the oil dust cover then the nut. If the nut is a split nut I use a simple wrench I made that has a lip that enters the slot in the nut. If the nut isn't a split type nut then I put a rag around the nut for protection and grab it with the inside circular part of a plier. It should back of fairly easily. Loosen the set screw on the spindle and put a piece of wood on the back of the spindle and lightly tap on the wood to move the spindle out the front of the headstock. I also use some light penetrating oil on the spindle to help loosen it up before tapping it out. I don't know if that is the recommended procedure but it has always worked for me.

Good luck, Dean

[Michael Ciskowski]

Thank you Dean. This is the information that I needed. Mike