What should be cleaned from the spindle nose of the lathe to avoid problems?

Cleaning small chips from the spindle nose of the lathe is essential for several reasons. Small chips can interfere with the proper seating of the tool or workpiece, leading to inaccuracies in machining. If the spindle nose is not clean, it can cause vibration, runout, or improper alignment, all of which can result in poor surface finish or even tool damage. Additionally, chips can accumulate in critical areas and potentially lead to more significant wear or failure of components over time.

Maintaining a clean spindle nose helps ensure that the lathe operates smoothly and efficiently, contributing to the overall quality of the work produced. In contrast, while oil residue and dirt or dust can also be problematic, they are less likely to directly cause immediate issues such as misalignment or vibration compared to the physical interference that small chips can cause.