PM-1228 Lathe Chuck Cradles

These Chuck Cradles support the chuck on the lathe bed (ways) for the Precision Matthews PM-1228 metal lathe during chuck installation and removal. They are sized for the 6" (160mm) 3 jaw (standard) and 8" (200mm) 4 jaw (optional) chucks. When changing the chuck these cradles support the chuck 3mm below the centerline, helping to install the chuck safely and protect the lathe bed and fingers while leaving clearance to slide the cradle out once the chuck is installed. 

DO NOT RUN THE CHUCK UNDER POWER WITH THE CRADLE UNDER IT. 

The cradle MUST BE REMOVED prior to operation.

It is routine with a metal lathe to swap between chucks for different jobs, and these tools help do this more easily and safely.

The STL file included here has four models in it, two of them are thin test prints that can be made quickly and checked against your lathe to insure proper fit before expending the time and material for the full size tool. The two full size supports are also provided in the same file. For printing it is best to rotate them 90 degrees (about the X axis) and print flat on the printbed with no requirement for supports. Print material is not critical. 

Note that the taller cradle is for the smaller standard 3 jaw chuck, the shorter cradle is for the larger optional 4 jaw chuck.

These lathes are sold under a number of different manufacturer and model designations. The lathe bed (ways) vary with different lathes, and the spindle height varies with lathe size. It is likely these will fit some other similar lathes while not fitting others.  The thin test models can be printed quickly and used to check the fit.

Alan B, w6akb