Update: Stuck Live Centre in Tailstock Spindle - Resolved!

I've tried various methods I know to try break the live centre out of the tailstock spindle.  Nothing works.  The only thing I thought of was to purchase the replacement parts.  Mike told me his cost is close to $190 and he doesn't know how much to sell me...  At this point of my life, I have to be careful with my outlay.

I posted my problem on metalworkingfun.com.  The good folks over at the forum are so helpful.  Various methods were discussed and shared.  One particular method caught  my eyes - using 2 wedge piece and some bolts to force out the stuck centre.  HopefullyDave referred me to his CAD drawing posted at Madmodders.net where a gentleman from Turkey had almost the same problem.

The only problem I realized was, I do not have any steel plates available.  So I decided to go with aluminium, at least to practice on making the tool.

After cleaning up the edges and cutting the plates to the approximate size, the work began.

The stuck live centre in the lathe's tailstock spindle. This is MT2 taper.

The aluminium plate I've available in my box. Its about 9.46mm thick and 100mm on both sides.

Cutting the plate in 2 for the 2 wedges.

Cleaning up the edges.

Cutting the slot. I did the slot right down the middle using a 10mm endmill in 2 passes and expanded the slot in 1 pass. I just love the Wabeco mill... really a time saver!

The 2 pcs done. Milling the taper next.

I simulate the 5 degree taper using Solidworks and found the height at one end to be 5.25mm to create the 5 degree taper. The 2 wasted button cells are exactly 5.25mm! What a coincidence! Of course their placement would cause the slope to be slightly more than 5 degree. But that doesn't matter.

Done in one pass...

Test fit... There are in fact 2 more parts to make to complete the tool but I decide to just use a hammer to force the centre out...

Praise the good Lord!!! The live centre is now free from the grasp of the evil spindle... wahahahahaha.... just kidding; no evil doer here.

Dave's drawing can be seen here: http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,6881.75.html.  I've requested for his permission to post the drawings here but due to the difference in time zone, he hasn't reply.

The Turkish gentleman's work can be seen on the same page, further down.  His work is so much more elegant than mine.  I'm just happy that the tool works, saving me the much needed dough...

Ok.  My next project will be to make a gift for a dear sister's new studio.  I've done the CADCAM part, gotten the LEDs, and ID a piece of aluminium as base.  The thing left to do is to reconnect my PC to the Sherline CNC mill and get to work.  Hope I can do it on next Saturday.

Meanwhile, be blessed!