I just received a Marshall Peerless lathe I won on ebay, and it looks to be in really good shape. I can see that it has been really cared for. It's pristine, with all the parts working and centered, except it is missing it's index pin.

I haven't worked with a lathe yet, and am new to all of this, so I'm guessing that the pin seems to be integral to setting up and removing the collet.

So my questions are:

Do I need one before I even start to try to learn on the lathe?

Where can I get one?

Can I make it out of something else? Seems like I could. Looks to be something very similar to the centering punch in a staking set.

Dale, you just brought a smile to my face I remember my first lathe also had this missing also they slide out and get lost recheck the packing material and ask the seller has he found it on the floor , you need one, so there is your first project....

Thanks. When I get home from work I'll check to see if it's around.

So I can now use my lathe to make the part?! Cool.

What does it actually do? I can see where it goes, but what's it purpose?

The index pin is mostly needed to fix a part in different positions and file some flat's with a file and a file guard, like the square section of a stem ( or for wheel cutting); You never need it to open or close the collets

Regards,
Gerald

Ok, that makes sense.

Would this be a good book do get?
Modern Watchmakers Lathe and How To Use It - By: Archie B. Perkins

Dale,
That is THE book to get.
Scott

quote:

Modern Watchmakers Lathe and How To Use It - By: Archie B. Perkins

Anyone have one of these lying around they want to sell?

any tool steel rod of the correct diameter will work. The pin positions the collet in the keyway slot and prevents it spinning by locking it in one position. I've had many made for me by my tool and die maker friend Reg Miller of St.Thomas ,Ontario, a great toolmaker ,and a great guy

Tom,
Sorry I didn't make myself clear.
What I'm looking for is the book.

You can get the book from the AWCI website.