Ron, I presume that engaging the back gear without releasing the normal drive still has too much backlash? As an alternative, can you make an expanding device to grip inside the spindle - like the sort of thing people make for winding the chuck round by hand? There may be a chance to put an arm on it at the changewheel end and lock that to something. JohnP ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Head" <ron.head@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:56 PM Subject: [modeleng] Locking a lathe spindle Calling all Myford owners.... Does anyone have any good ideas for positively locking the spindle, while I carry out a slotting operation? The Super 7 comes with a spindle lock of course, but this only locks in one position, and in any case there is a small amount of backlash with the lock engaged. What I am thinking of is some sort of friction device, which can effectively hold the spindle in any position. Anybody been there before? Regards Ron MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.16/1102 - Release Date: 31/10/2007 16:38 MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.