Ok, I apologize ahead of time if I keep asking so many questions about this thing, but where I paid a lot of money(I got it for a crazy good deal yes, but still a ton of money for me) I don't want to screw it up. The casing with the vega logo, can that come off? The reason I ask is that it seems to be binding up quite a bit when I go to engage the red handle to do my cutting. I tried to loosen every possible screw I could see that I thought wouldn't make it come apart, but it didn't seem to help. When pushing the handle forward to cut, it feels like it might be catching on something. I looked around the casing and didn't seem to have any burrs or dents, so I'm thinking it might be inside. I blew up 2 blanks last night when it stuck then suddenly got unstuck and sent the carbide tip way too deep. I know my hands aren't that shaky, so any help would be great. Nothing wakes you up like a plug blank exploding on a lathe! lol

Lightly lubricate the tool carrier over it's full length. Do this with cover removed. Use a very light oil like 3 in One. If no 3 in One try anything you might have just to see if that is it.

It seems like a lot of guys take the cover off permanently.

look at the cutter set screw. if not aligned right it can bind up on the slide tube. also make sure your slide deck is lubed with wd40. i spray a rag then wipe it down.also birch,mahogany,maple and oak can bind up and pull your cutter in deep. some guys partially round their blanks so the corners are gone to make it easier gettin going.

My cover is off permanently! Makes it easier to clean and lube!

My cover is off permanently! Makes it easier to clean and lube!

that statement works on soo many levels...lol.

thanks for all the tips guys, I'll give that stuff a try when I get home tonight