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Bad bearing?

Big Ry

Big Ry

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Ryan
I just got my first lathe (finally). It's an older Nova 1624. I got it from a guy who teaches wood turning down in the mannyunk area of Philly. I think he said he worked at Philadelphia woodworks, but I'm not positive on that. Anyway, he sold me this lathe for $600, including delivering it, setting it up, and giving me a quick tutorial. For an extra $100 i got a bunch of hss cutters, a Jacob's chuck, and a 4 jaw psi barracuda 2.

We turned it on before he left so i could see it worked. I didn't see any issues, but he had it on the lowest speed. I turned it up to the highest, and it's rattling/chattering quite a lot compared to other videos I've seen of lathes running. Granted, the tool rest is loose during this video, but i feel like the sound is coming from the head stock. Does this sound like a bad bearing?

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I’m not familiar with this problem. I only ever had one lathe (an old German metal lathe) and it worked without issues. I never had problems with it though I did pay a premium. (2300 bucks and it was second hand) I am interested in getting one again when I finally retire. Turning was fun but I wasn’t doing it enough to justify the usage of shop space.
 
Big Ry said:
I just got my first lathe (finally). It's an older Nova 1624. I got it from a guy who teaches wood turning down in the mannyunk area of Philly. I think he said he worked at Philadelphia woodworks, but I'm not positive on that. Anyway, he sold me this lathe for $600, including delivering it, setting it up, and giving me a quick tutorial. For an extra $100 i got a bunch of hss cutters, a Jacob's chuck, and a 4 jaw psi barracuda 2.

We turned it on before he left so i could see it worked. I didn't see any issues, but he had it on the lowest speed. I turned it up to the highest, and it's rattling/chattering quite a lot compared to other videos I've seen of lathes running. Granted, the tool rest is loose during this video, but i feel like the sound is coming from the head stock. Does this sound like a bad bearing?

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I must not hear what you are hearing. Others with that brand of lathe may have a more educated opinion. I will say that I think you struck an awesome deal on the lathe & tools! Enjoy! Chuck
 
Definitely sounds like bad bearings to me...

While I haven't ever used that specific lathe, let alone replaced the bearings on it, I have replaced the bearings on many tools, including a couple lathes. Was not a difficult thing to do on the lathes. I'm sure there's got to be YouTube videos showing how to do it on the exact model you just bought.

Bearings aren't overly expensive, but I wouldn't cheap out either. If possible, avoid Chinese made ones and go with something of better quality. But I'll admit that I've been having a harder time finding quality bearings in some sizes lately and in my last restoration (an old table saw), I had to go with Chinese made bearings as that was all I could find in the specific size I needed.
 
An easy way to diagnose that is to remove or slacken the belt and turn the spindle bearing by hand. If it feels rough at all it's the bearings.
 
I have that model but newer.

Just suggestions, but what pulley is the drive belt on. Mine started life as a 7 speed, then I went with the variable speed motor. Drive belt should be on the middle position pulley.

With the change to variable speed, I still have the belt tensioner, now I see yours. Tweak it just a little, but also look at the lid to the belts. You can set up a resonance (for lack of a better term) that will make all types of noises.

I like mine. I seem to lose center alignment with the tailstock. Not often, but causes me to scratch my head. This is my first real lathe, maybe a “normal” thing with climate and such. Not hard to adjust, requires holding your breath and a few other witchcraft incantations.

I feel it is. Good intermediate lathe. Has some good features, has some missing I see on others I wish it had. But only a few.

One more trick, the alignment bar for outboard turning. Leave it in, it can cause the headstock to drift a little off center.

Now that I am really thinking about it, will go back and watch the video again.
 
I have the 1642 lathe and think I recognize that sound. The red pressed-metal that surrounds the belt and pulleys might be touching the pulley causing it to rub. I fixed it somehow - can't remember exactly how, but it might have been loosen the set screw in a pulley and nudge it away from the place it was rubbing (then tighten the set screw again, of course.)
 
Yep, I’m not good enough to say bearings or not, the guys that responded are really good and experienced. I just wanted to throw my thoughts out there.
 
Also ... get a double-ended Morse Taper. Nova calls them Acruline, but I've seen other manufacturers sell them too. It makes aligning the head and tailstock very quick and easy. @Gdurfey - this will probably save you having to hold your breath :good2:
 
duncsuss said:
I have the 1642 lathe and think I recognize that sound. The red pressed-metal that surrounds the belt and pulleys might be touching the pulley causing it to rub. I fixed it somehow - can't remember exactly how, but it might have been loosen the set screw in a pulley and nudge it away from the place it was rubbing (then tighten the set screw again, of course.)
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Reminds me and I will look in a bit, I may have put a small piece of weather seal on mine. Just a piece of foam strip.
 
Mine is very similar. The belt sometimes squeaks depending upon which pulley set & speed it is running. Over-tightening the belt does not help and could stress the motor shaft.

The only time the head & tail was mis-aligned was after some outboard turning when I didn't reset it to straight correctly.

Bought it used but we'll taken care of 4 years ago. Had no problems at all with it so far.

Is there any play that you can feel in the headstock?

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JonathanH said:
Mine is very similar. The belt sometimes squeaks depending upon which pulley set & speed it is running. Over-tightening the belt does not help and could stress the motor shaft.

The only time the head & tail was mis-aligned was after some outboard turning when I didn't reset it to straight correctly.

Bought it used but we'll taken care of 4 years ago. Had no problems at all with it so far.

Is there any play that you can feel in the headstock?

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I think the noise was just the tin housing. The head stock feels tight but i also haven't used it yet.
 
Not familiar with the Novas, but might kill the power and if you can get your hands on any keyways that may have loose set screws.
 
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