Got myself a Lathe

[AndyCook]

The factory my neighbour works at purchased a new lathe - the planned to scrap the old one, so he asked if i want it.
its at least from 1970 - a Colchester 5-1/2" (140mm) Bantam Lathe

weighs 343kg

picked it up today, forklift put it in trailer and used my hoist to remove it, will get another neighbour with his tractor to lift it into garage tomorrow.

Not sure what i will use it for yet!, but it seemed silly not to take it since it was free
and need to see what tooling i need to get for it

[attachment=4:2r2wpoeg]photo (Medium).JPG[/attachment:2r2wpoeg]

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[attachment=0:2r2wpoeg]IMG-20120302-00262 (Medium).jpg[/attachment:2r2wpoeg]

 

[goodoldboy]

I remember these from my aprentiship v.usefull thing to have

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

The first lathe I had was a Bantam, wasn't a bad little lathe but it was quite worn by the time I got hold of it and it still cost a lot more than yours!

 

[AndyCook]

i was wrong about weight, its 1000lbs -450kg...

need to figure what cutting tools i need and where to get them, since i dont think there are any in the bag of bits i got.
there are a load of tooling holder/clamps and wrenchs.

 

[Paul_Humphreys]

I use to use one them in the late 80s!!

 

[Cptsideways]

Makes my lathe look like a mouse nice find

 

[Ecoman]

Nice one mate....gonna have to put some work your way

I think my mate has the same lathe. I will ask him where he gets his tools etc.

 

[BobMurphy]

need to figure what cutting tools i need and where to get them, since i dont think there are any in the bag of bits i got.
there are a load of tooling holder/clamps and wrenchs.

Nice one - I paid £500 for a 1950s Denford Viceroy from a local Engineering works. I haven't stopped spending since . . You're at the top of a very slippery slope

But you won't regret it

Have a look at these places . .

http://www.axminster.co.uk/

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/

http://www.lathes.co.uk/index.html

http://www.chestermachinetools.com/Default.aspx

I spend hours on the 'Chronos' site (dreaming & drooling)

Then there are all the Steel Stockholders . . . . . . . . .

Bob.

 

[BobMurphy]

need to figure what cutting tools i need and where to get them, since i dont think there are any in the bag of bits i got.

Andy,

I found these very useful:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/the-amateurs-lathe-prod21199/

http://www.axminster.co.uk/screwcutting-in-the-lathe-prod552472/

Unfortunately, my lathe only cuts Imperial threads (and its very worn ).

Bob.

 

[AndyCook]

Thanks Bob, i will check the links out
my credit card might not agree though!

Lathe is now in garage after help with an even older tractor with front lifter
need to check level of lathe and wire it up now

 

[Steve Wright]

i was wrong about weight, its 1000lbs -450kg...

need to figure what cutting tools i need and where to get them, since i dont think there are any in the bag of bits i got.
there are a load of tooling holder/clamps and wrenchs.

is it single or 3 phase ?

 

[AndyCook]

Bugger - manual says its 3phase, 50hz
i will check motor, it looks newer than lathe to see what phase it is

Nothing is ever completely "free"

 

[AndyCook]

No plug on power lead, but it only has 3 standard. Brown, blue and earth wires
motor control box sticker seems to suggest single phase
230v 1?
[attachment=0:14mbol5a]2012-03-04 08.51.28-1.jpg[/attachment:14mbol5a]

 

[BobMurphy]

That looks like single phase, three phase is 415 Volts.

Mine had a 3/4 HP Hoover three-phase 'star wired' motor. Totally unsuitable so I changed it for a 1.5Hp single phase "Capacitor Start / Capacitor Run" motor and an expensive control box incorporating reverse. That was over £600 if I recall

Then, I had to cut and weld the base to get the larger motor in.

The five speed pulley had to be machined to fit the larger motor (local Engineering works).

New link belts (five speeds on the motor via a countershaft, two speeds on the back gear).

Finally it all works, sort of. Its very old and worn and the various function levers need a bit of patience to get them to engage.

I love it though

Enjoy your new toy

Bob.

 

[AndyCook]

nice looking Lathe Bob, and a drill chuck accessory

I will be looking on the websites you suggested for accessorys

I have a 3-jaw main chuck? if thats the name and also a 4-jaw one
and various mounting blocks, but not cutting tools


photo of the plate on motor (had to take in a mirror and invert the photo)

[attachment=0cx99f6w]new_zoom_plate_resize2.jpg[/attachmentcx99f6w]

 

[Chris]

Well if we are posting lathe pics, here's mine. In its new home and very happy. It's far better then I am. Digital read out is a blessing and does some cool stuff for you. Cuts left and right threads. Still getting to grips with it. Tools are all indexable carbide rather than brazed. Might pick up a cheap set of brazed just for roughing work.

Chris

 

[AndyCook]

Very nice Chris, a bit more modern that the ones Bob and I have. some interesting accessorys too
My one was also made in Coventry

is it single phase?

what is the chain for?
how did you get it in your garage? they are darn heavy things at 1/2 ton nearly!

 

[Chris]

The chain was used to lift it off the trailer once I had backed into the garage. I used the engine crane to get it off and into place. Yes, very heavy. Not made in Coventry though, that's the model. It's from Chester Machine Company.

Chris

 

[BobMurphy]

Well if we are posting lathe pics, here's mine. Chris

OOOooooh . . Nice .

I keep looking at new lathes. One day (maybe).

Its 'wants' Vs 'Needs' again

Bob.

 

[BobMurphy]

I will be looking on the websites you suggested for accessorys

I have a 3-jaw main chuck? if thats the name and also a 4-jaw one
and various mounting blocks, but not cutting tools

Andy,

A three-jaw chuck is self-centering. The jaws come out and can be reversed for internal or external gripping. They have to be replaced in order and you will find they are numbered 1 - 3 (otherwise they don't end up at the centre).

A four-jaw one is independent, so you can mount things offset.

It also helps to have a face plate and a set of dogs for mounting odd-shaped items.

First thing - establish the mountings you will need. The tailstock will usually have a Morse Taper fitting. Mine is MT-3 but some smaller ones will be MT-2. The accessories then just tap into place. They are released by being knocked out from the back with a soft metal rod (brass) . . (OK, OK, I use a steel bar ).

A 'Travelling Steady' and a 'Fixed Steady' (as shown in my lathe pic) are useful too.

As I said, I haven't stopped spending since I bought it.

That motor isn't very powerful. It will be OK for smaller stuff but might struggle a bit if you start putting large heavy items in it.

Mine is 1.5 HP. A friend has a lathe about the same size as mine, he has a 4HP motor

Bob.