key stuck in spindle shaft

[isaac338]

I'm finally getting around to doing the R8 conversion on my Busy Bee mini mill. The thing's been sitting unused for quite a while, too much stuff happening lately.

In any case, I've got it all torn down and I'm ready to press the spindle out, but the key is stuck in the spindle. I've tried prying it slightly with a small screwdriver but I don't want to mangle the spindle and it won't move in any case. Anyone have any handy suggestions for non-destructive ways to get the key out? I know I could probably weld a small bead on it and it'd pop out but I'd like to save it, and knowing my unsteady hand I'd probably weld the damn thing to the spindle.... no good.

And there's definitely no way to press the spindle through that bearing with the key in place without destroying everything.

Thanks for any advice.

[Al_The_Man]

I have used two methods, both similar, one, I drilled and tapped a hole the largest I could in the centre of the key, and then used an allen head screw with a slide hammer.
If this method failed, i.e. the thread stripped, I drilled the largest dia I could into the centre of the key, and then used a pin punch to drive one piece towards the other.
This is OK if you can get right angles onto the key.
Good luck.
Al.

[Crevice Reamer]

I have had good luck with heat (from a torch to expand the spindle slot) and vise grips for gripping the key.

CR.

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by Crevice Reamer I have had good luck with heat (from a torch to expand the spindle slot) and vise grips for gripping the key. CR.

I have used that method also, what I usually do is give the key a squirt of WD40 to shock-shrink it momentarily, That OK if heating is not a problem.
Al.

[isaac338]

Sorry, I should have searched first. It popped right out with a pair of side cutters. Now to work out pressing the new spindle in..

Another question - my mill has steel gears, but the replacements which came with the kit are plastic. Should I keep the steel gears (they appear to be identical), or install the plastic ones?

[Crevice Reamer]

I would keep the Steel gears.

CR.

[DMIOM]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Man I have used that method also, what I usually do is give the key a squirt of WD40 to shock-shrink it momentarily, That OK if heating is not a problem. Al.

just a note - if you do this, be careful. I did exactly this when I was a student many years ago - and lost my eyebrows - the metal was hot enough to flash the WD40 !