Spindle Lock For My Emco Maximat V10 Metal Lathe

Update:
I ended up re-doing the spindle lock with a more Permanent Solution a few months later (see link)

Project:
Creating a way to lock the spindle of my metal lathe so I can change chucks

Difficulty Level (Easy, Medium, Hard, Insane):
Medium

Process:
Now that I have created a Back Plate For My 4-Jaw Chuck I found that it was a bit tedious to change the chucks because my lathe doesn't have a way to lock the spindle and the chuck is screwed onto the spindle.

I found a way to do it by inserting a punch through two holes in the spindle and then using a pry bar on the chuck side and a pipe wrench on the other side, but it was a bet tedious because I'd have to pull out the lathe stand, open the side cover and then try to hold all the different tools in place so I figured it would be a good idea to create a more permanent and easier to use solution.

The solution actually ended up fairly simple: I had to turn two pieces of metal, one that mounts to the spindle with two set screws into the two existing holes and a second one with a handle that can be attached to that first part actually keeping the spindle from turning.

Videos:

Pictures:

Using a pry bar to lock the chuck in place

Using a punch and a pipe wrench to un-twist the chuck

Close-up of the punch and pipe wrench

Drilling the part that will mount to the spindle

Diagram of my measurements

Drilling with a 1" drill

Making sure the holes are aligned with those in the spindle

I had to use a rasp and grind off about 1/8" of the inside cover to allow me to easily open/close the cover

The outside view of where I had to grind off some aluminum

The adapter mounted on the spindle

After I cut some groves into the adapter

Using the set screws to tighten the adapter to the spindle

Another view

The adapter just barely sticking out of the side cover

The second part turned and welded to a 13.5" piece of metal

Another view

Close-up of the locked spindle

Another view

Cross-section of how I fastened the first part to the spindle

Tools:
Angle grinder
MIG welder
Measuring tape
Marker
Metal lathe
Hammer

Materials:
3" of 1.25" cold rolled steel

Cost:
$1.00

Time:
2hrs

Savings:
No idea what this would have cost to have it fabricated. Probably at least $200 bucks

Conclusion:
It works awesome and I have used it so many times already