What is a common issue that can occur if small chips are left on the spindle nose of a lathe?

When small chips are left on the spindle nose of a lathe, they can cause run out on work holding devices. This is because any debris or chips present can disrupt the true alignment of the workpiece. A clean spindle nose is crucial for maintaining accurate positioning and stability of the work holding device, which is essential for precision machining operations.

If the spindle nose is not free of these chips, it can lead to wobbling or uneven rotation of the workpiece, resulting in poor surface finish and dimensional inaccuracies during machining. Keeping the spindle nose clean is vital for ensuring that the workpiece mounts securely and rotates true, which upholds the overall quality of the machining process.

Other issues such as increased machine wear, overheating, or decreased lubrication efficiency may occur in different contexts within machining but are less directly related to the presence of small chips on the spindle nose specifically. Hence, focusing on run out due to inadequate cleanliness gives a more precise perspective on the issues that can arise in lathe operations.