5 Wood Lathe BANJO PROBLEMS and How to Solve Them

[@tomcoker9882]

Thanks Mike for a lot of good info. No matter how high end you lathe is (ie how $$$$ you spent) if you don’t keep it maintained properly, it won’t work any better that one from the junk yard. BTW the toolrest clamp on the Powermatic 3520B (their top of the line when I was looking to buy my forever lathe) was one of the negates in for it in my decision process. I glad for you that they went with one similar to the Robust. Cheers, Tom

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Maintenance is important but often neglected.

[@rolandbowns8847]

The tool rest clamp on the new Powermatic lathes is the same as they had before Powermatic was bought by Jet. I'm glad they went back to it. However, they did not go back completely - the pre Jet Powermatics did not have the ratchet knob, but rather had a lever that slid in a hole in the bolt much like a lever on a woodworking vice.

[@KeepItSimpleSprdshet]

Thanks Mike ! Perfect timing for me. I tightened my banjo down the other day and the handle went past tight to loose again. I thought oh boy I’ve stripped something. But no just tighten the nut 1/8 of a turn. Started with a 1/4turn but that was tight I couldn’t move the banjo. Backed off a bit and back to making chips and curls. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos I know it not easy. Been watching you and the rest of Gwinnett crowd for years. Thanks to all !

[@michaelnicholson572]

Thanks Mike. This video inspired me to revisit the problems with the banjo on my Vega lathe. I no longer have to keep the rest 3" from the thin spindle I'm turning .

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad I could help!

[@sandonbate6913]

Mike, Your videos, your tips, etc. are always helpful and appreciated.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate that!

[@DougRowe-jc5ox]

Mike this was exactly the video I needed. My banjo is no longer spongy.

[@sistermaide]

Thanks, great tips! I enjoy your videos even more th as n the times I watched you in person. I like your sense of humor, you lightly pepper it in, and don't overdo it. Thanks, I have had trouble with several of my banjos failing to stay tight. You've shown some things that I hadn't tried yet.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks.

[@fnelowet]

Really helped me a lot, Mike. New Lathe, and I was a little flummoxed about what to do about the "spongy" banjo before I saw this video. All the best!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it helped!

[@rpower1401]

Thanks for the video. I'm trying to figure out if I can build one of my own to upgrade my lathe as a little project. The video was helpful.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Build a larger lathe? It certainly has been done. Not an inexpensive project to provide all of the features of a modern lathe. But if you like making things, go for it.

[@rpower1401]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Actually just building a bigger banjo. I made some custom rests for my old lathe which don't fit the new one. Just finished machining the first part for mounting the rest, now just need to duplicate the cast iron slider piece in rectangular steel and weld up/machine it square and mount the original cam inside. Should take another 3 hours or so.

[@monophoto1]

Excellent video Two points - I keep a can of white lithium grease in my shop for use in lubricating the rollers on our garage doors. I find that it also makes a great lubricant for the bedways of my lathe - spray on, allow it to dry, and then buff with a paper towel. Second, on mini- and midi-lathes, the tool post lock is often a screw that tightens against the tool post. This can leave scars on the tool post itself that make moving the tool rest jumpy. So when I perform periodic maintenance on my lathe, I remove the tool rest and use a file to remove any bumps or burrs that may have built up on the post.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Good tips!

[@williambuckley1185]

Hi Mike, I watch most of your video's but don't often leave a message, but this one relates to a problem I have which relates directly to my problem with my banjo. I have a variable speed MC1100 lathe and my tightening mechanism is spongy and won't tighten. also I didn't know how to get the banjo off the lathe, you showed how to slide it off the end. you are great at explaining things and for that I thank you. you have helped a lot and I am going to do some maintenance on mine today based on your advice. I was holing my banjo in place with a G clamp which did work, but if it slipped I thought it might have been dangerous. thanks again for your help on this and may subjects you address.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Happy it helped you!😀

[@billmaxwell640]

Great video Mike. You hit several nails on the head regarding my Laguna banjo. One of your comments was “ just get used to it” which I have been doing but your tips solved a couple of operational issues I had been living with. My next turning period will start with banjo maintenance and adjustments following your recommendations. This will give me more time with my Huber Flat Head 5 string which I do tweak, tune and maintain constantly. Thanks a bunch

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Happy to help. My son is taking up the banjo a bit. He has a Masters in Music Performance but he said the fingering is tough.

[@Fictionalwizard]

Thank you for the info,my banjo was spongy now I know how to cure the problem. I really enjoy your videos!!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Graham. Glad it was useful

[@LewisKauffman]

Thanks, Mike! Really appreciate these informative lessons.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Very welcome, Lewis! Thanks for you continued support

[@glencrandall7051]

Good tips Mike. Thanks. Have a great day.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

U2

[@thedutchman4217]

Thanks. I'm learning alot about this craft from you. Just got a bunch of stuff from your amazon page looking forward to using it 😁

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Awesome, thank you!

[@johnnyspropshop]

Good video Mike. I just add a jam nut to both my banjo and tailstock, metric nuts located online at the Orange store. Had to trim them shorter, but I got a super tight hold down now.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Good stuff!

[@outinthesticks1035]

Aha , I bought a one-way banjo for my Chinese lathe , but the clamp bolt is to short for the lock nut to hold . Using your idea , with two of the thin jam nuts just might work

[@Sig.Valter]

Thank you for generously sharing 🙏👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

So nice of you

[@deyyoung42]

Great Video, Mike! You should do a video on tool rests as well. I'll note that some aftermarket tool rests ( Rockler ) are undersized and cause so much wobble that a person (such as myself) can break the tool post locking nut.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I did one some time back. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5LWlpZ4ZpJgrqc Please let me know if you have other suggestions on that video.

[@pault6639]

Solved my banjo problems - thanks Mike :)

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it was useful.

[@jeanlong5965]

Thanks for all the great information.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Any time!

[@alanmullock381]

Great little maintenance walk through Mike!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Alan.

[@bradbyers7505]

You answered my question before I got it entered in. Thanks for that. I have a PM 3520C and the banjo is a monster as you well know. I was about to ask if anyone made a suitable replacement for my lathe. It would be nice to have a smaller and lighter one for some applications. I’m not terribly unhappy, but I will check Oneway to see what they offer.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

PM2014. I love mine as a second lathe, primarily for teaching. Just like a shrunk down 3520c. 1 1/4x8 spindle so interchangeable with your current chucks. Here is my review kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpvXYqBsqbh8apI

[@TimRobertsonWoodturning]

Thanks Mike, as always lots of very good tips.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, Tim.

[@valeriehenschel1590]

Good info, Mike!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks!

[@wustcj]

Great maintenance and care advice that applies to beginners as well as experienced turners, new and old lathes. Do you have any advice on a bent eccentric rod?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Get a replacement?

[@wustcj]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Shop Fox lathe, rod is < $10 but has been on backorder for >9 months. But shucks, might just be the time to upgrade the lathe.

[@jackthompson5092]

Thanks for the great tips Mike. I have been using WD40 for many years to maintain the smooth operation of my banjo.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Right on!

[@hfbowerndesigns810]

Thanks for a great info video my friend Take care all and stay safe and well Cheers Harold

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, you too!

[@AsWoodTurns]

I will be applying the "spongy" solution to my tail stock. Alan

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Sometimes we just have to quit putting up with it and fix it.

[@israelcharo1563]

All good pointers, Mike...Thanks! You mentioned that you were unhappy with the tool rest post locking mechanism on your "B" model...what, if anything, did you do to make it work better?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Bought a P3520c, the black lathe in the video. I did a review on it a few weeks ago.

[@MrPete1x]

Thanks again Mike. Good video

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You are very welcome

[@fouroakscrafts7240]

Great tips about banjo problems. Unfortunately, I've allowed a lot of CA glue to cake up on the motor which is under the lathe bed of my JET mini lathe. Do you recommend any solvents (WW-40 maybe) that would be good for build up of CA glue? Or maybe I need to do a little scraping to remove it. I keep forgetting to put down a paper towel or piece of cardboard to catch the glue.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Scraping might work best. Acetone will disolve but may be tough getting too it and acetone drys fast so hard to put an acetone soaked cloth on it as it takes a few minutes or longer for it to disolve CA.

[@fouroakscrafts7240]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Thanks, Mike!

[@kengunnell6398]

Wow! Very nice informative video. I try to keep up with my maintenance as you mention. I use Teflon sprays lately and like them but still have to clean regularly as you suggest and I use WD40 just as you do to remove sap etc.Thanks for all the research you did for all the brands. I will refer any of my club members to your videos.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thank you!

[@kenspears7159]

Thanks Mike, looks like I've got some maintenance for today!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad to help

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Good vid. When I got my Powermatic there were burs on the banjo and inside the bedways that made things very difficult. I couldn't believe the roughness of the casting. I hate the banjo but have learned to put up with it like you say. lol

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Sometimes that is the easiest.

[@outinthesticks1035]

Would not a few minutes with a mill file solve the problems

[@Lee-qp6gf]

@@outinthesticks1035 Of course but the point is an expensive lathe like that should have been finished off in the first place.

[@outinthesticks1035]

@@Lee-qp6gf it would have been nice if finished from new , but why learn to put up with something you hate , when 5 minutes with a five dollar file will cure it

[@Lee-qp6gf]

@@outinthesticks1035 WTF, yes I took care of it the first night I got it. Understand?

[@AndrewArndts]

I use a Machinist grade way oil for my bed ways. Vactra #2 way oil.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

That will work.

[@georgewilmore7599]

The tool rest clamping system is what they used on the old powermatic model 60. That’s the type on my school’s lathes from the 60’s.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

What was old is new again!

[@Sully76039]

Yep! My 1970’s vintage Model 90 used that cross clamp design. I always assumed they went away from it as a cost savings measure.

[@Shawwoodturning]

Thanks Mike’s

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You are welcome, Archie

[@Rob-hw5wr]

title should be, " 5 Wood Lathe Banjo and Tailstock Problems and how to solve them" I do all the stuff that you do so I guess it's true what they say. "Great minds think alike"

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Lots of overlap for sure. I did a separate video several years ago on the TS but really did not cover the clamping mechanism or cleaning the lathe bed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpempod4aJeFh5o

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Carnauba Wax lasts LONGER !