Question Spindle wobble

I have a SC600 I purchased in kit form which goes by the proud name of Clockwork Orange. If you saw the movie you'll understand my feelings. However I got it running straight and I'm quite happy now.

There's still a niggle I can't iron out. I had bought a dust extractor attachment, which comes with a plastic ring for the Kress spindle to clear the bolt holding the attachment. What happens is when I slip the spindle in place into its clamp I have to tighten the clamp bolt really tight otherwise the spindle will remain noticeably loose, with effect on the work quality.

I hate all this strong tightening as the clamp thread is aluminium, I'm sure this will become damaged soon. May I ask for any suggestions, please?

post pictures or a video of the issue, to try to help you.

Sorry, the camera decided to stop working but here's a scan from the assembly manual. See the bolt marked with a red arrow. Unless I tighten this bolt VERY hard, the spindle will be free to dance a bit back and forwards along axes X and Y. Just a millimeter or two, but enough to spoil the work. And if I tighten it really strongly, sooner or later the aluminium thread where the bolt goes will be damaged.



I have to take the spindle away every time I need to change cutter, as it is impossible to remove the spindle collet easily, so that thread is used quite often.

The only solution I can see for the time being is to accept things as they are and ream the thread away myself on the tool holder (part 3#), and then cut a slot to take a common nut to hold the bolt tightly in place, instead of having that thread fail at some point.

Why not wrap some tape around the spindle mounting (dust extractor???) so that it just fits the hole in the bottom mounting plate. If you have any copper or aluminium foil self adhesive tape that would be best, but even sellotape or masking tape would help remove the need to strain to tighten the clamp bolt.

Ideally you need to solve the problem of holding the spindle whilst you undo the collet. Also try to find one of the special bolts with a handle attached - that makes life so much easier. I think they are called "screw adjustable handles" - I bought mine on ebay for a few pounds.

Thanks, Peter, really I need to increase friction, a soft metal band might help do the trick, hadn't thought of that. In that line of thought perhaps it might be good to remove the paint from inside the tool holder ring.

For the Dremmel and Proxxon tools there is a separate adapter which appears to provide a longer "grip length" than this plain ring. It would be a good idea to provide an optional replacement for the bigger spindles, also considering these are heavier and more powerful than their smaller brothers.

Another solution can be to design and mill your own and personel spindle adapter as I did.

Adapter

I used what we call Multiplex wood and I used a bolt and a screw nut for clamping.

In the meantime if you need more friction, use some 180 or 240 grit self adhesive abrasive paper instead of metal foil or whatever.

We call "multiplex wood" - "plywood". Marine ply would be ideal - its usually of good quality, and you can obviously build up to any thickness you might require.

Peter

Thank you both, Doc and Peter, marine ply is tough like heck and I can always cut a new one when (if!) this gets worn out.

In the meantime abrasive paper is a good quick fix.



This is the kind of of forums I love, plenty of good people ready to extend a hand