The Vega 1553 I'm putting back to work only has a Morse #2 socket on the shaft, no threads.
Is there any way of attaching a chuck or faceplate to it?
Pull the spindle and have a machine shop cut threads in it?
I have seen adapters intended for reversing a piece without losing concentricity that have a threaded end on a MT2 taper. Maybe one of those tapped for a drawbar.
You can get this
https://www.pennstateind.com/store/LTCA18.htmlthen put threads into the end like 10-32 rod out of the back with a washer and tighten it up.
should work pretty well for you. Also you could have as many of them as chucks so all you have to do is take the whole thing out to keep it spinning right.
Arlin
I don't think that one will work for him as it is a live center. If mounted in the headstock, the spindle and taper will turn, but whatever is mounted in the chuck won't.
Would need one without the bearings of a live center. I have seen them, but the ones I have seen are not threaded for a drawbar so you would have to tap and thread it.
Vega says that that spindle is supposed to be 1-1/4x8.
Assuming that you don't have something screwed onto your spindle, the easiest answer might be to get a replacement spindle from Vega.
Just talked to Vega -- it's a 30mm spindle and they haven't made them for years.
gave me a couple of suggestions for folks that might have/make something or I may end up having a local machine shop thread my existing spindle.
None of the options are cheap
Edit to add: Oneway had the adaptor I needed for $25
So you are all set ?
I was going to suggest that you could go the shopsmith way.
They had a smooth spindle with a flat on the spindle, a good fitting piece with some setscrew could then be held on your lathe that way.
Glad you found something that'll work. It looks small, but HF has a chuck that mounts directly via MT2 taper. Never used it and have no idea of the quality, but wanted to mention it in case you're interested.