Hi,
Many thanks Big Al for adding the CAD drawings of your lathe bed. They show just how different lathe beds can be.
During the war Paula women used to do metal turning in fact they did many jobs usually associated with men; these days though it is uncommon to see a young lady getting her hands dirty and I wonder how many would recognize a lathe if they saw one? They now seem to spend forever at uni studying really useful things like sports science or history. (The team of young ladies in their twenties on Eggheads the other night confirmed this). Good on you for spending time on a lathe.
Yes Paula; there are crescent marks from hammer blows but these fortunately are restricted to the chucks; the beds require grinding after many years of hard use as all the sliding surfaces wear as does any bearing; the wear takes place on the bed and saddle nearest the chuck and adjusting the GIB to take up this wear will work near the chuck but as the saddle is traversed towards the tailstock it will lock up solid. Grinding the "ways" restores the original accuracy; after grinding the GIB can be adjusted correctly and the saddle will traverse the full length of the bed; at least I hope it will once I get that far. The compound slides also suffer in this way and I will have to restore these by hand scraping. Chat away all you want to Paula and Joe; it generates interest and this is what the forum is about after all. Were you bossy at school being a tall girl? Good photo as well.
You must have saved a lot of money on shampoo over the years Joe just as I have done. Hard luck in not getting the lathe. I have a chum who has a Clarke lathe for sale at £250. it is one owner and like new with all the extras; variable speed; metric and imperial screw-cutting; chucks and follower etc. It is 12" between centres, I considered buying it but fear I would kill it as I'm used to the big stuff. My Colchester had a 5HP 3 phase motor and would take a hefty bite out of anything.
I've been waiting for the synthetic enamel paint to dry and at last I managed to give the beds a second coat by brush. I don't know why I dream of spraying given this climate; I opened the garage doors and the wind was rattling them in beautiful bright sunshine. I made a start on brush painting and someone turned out the lights; it was a black hole again as the sun disappeared. Once again I was painting in shadows. The supplier recommended this synthetic enamel but to be honest I wish I had not bothered with it. It is dearer than auto lacquer and has drawbacks. Out of the tin it is of a thick consistancy but although hard work to brush it covers well putting plenty of body on. It takes forever to harden. This afternoon I decided to thin the paint down in the hope of applying the second coat before the wind covered everything in debris. I had intended to spray so bought the correct "Fast thinner". The thinned paint was even harder to apply as it didn't allow much open time to brush it out. What a pity it sets up quickly whilst brushing but then takes so long to harden. It hardens quickly forming a skin but I know if I handled the lathe the paint would retain my finger marks. I'm also unsure what effect lubricants will have on the paint long term; I'm assured by the supplier that once the paint fully sets it should be unaffected.
I've still got two compressors and at least four spray guns but can seldom use them. I need to have the garage doors wide open whilst painting; the health warnings on the tin are enough to put anyone off removing the lid let alone dipping a brush or even worse spraying the stuff. The beds are looking better for the TLC so far and once the paint finally dries I can make a start on fitting the saddle.
A couple of years or so ago I bought some Tufnol and made brand new headstock bearings for the Myford I use; I also had the Mandrel metal sprayed. At the time whilst I was visiting the Tufnol supplier I explained that I like to tinker around and experiment in the garage. The guy offered to save me bags full of offcuts saying they only go to landfill so you will save us having to dispose of them. I never did receive a call to go over to collect them.
A few days ago I contacted the supplier by email explaining that I was now fully restoring two lathes; I was happy to buy the Tufnol for the headstock bearings for the second lathe but I wished to experiment with Tufnol for the GIBS. It's strange now that this company who was always so busy cutting all kinds of plastics to customers orders no longer have offcuts but only supply pre-cut sizes. To make matters worse the prices have gone through the roof. A piece of Whale Tufnol 50mm Dia x 150mm long now cost the best part of £40 including the rip of 20% VAT. I needed a couple of Whale Tufnol strips 1/2" x 3/4" x 7.5" for the GIBS. To make these two GIBS would now also cost the best part of £40 as I would have to buy a piece 300mm x 300mm. I don't want anything for nothing and I'm aware this company owes me absolutely nothing but I'm getting sick of people saying they will do something then don't bother; sorry if I sound to be moaning but I've only just been let down after being promised transport to take the beds for grinding; take the lousy weather into account and the government adding 20% VAT to materials I wonder if I should take myself and my machinery over to India or Poland because there is no incentive to do anything over here only sit on my backside. Hope this generates replies but non political please.
Whilst washing the car after doing the painting this afternoon I was once again pestered by tree surgeons on the street; then shortly after I was watching Tony's excellent two videos covering restorations; I was well into the second video when the door bell rang; it was a guy from the Red Cross. Before getting out of bed this morning we had a begging plastic bag pushed through our letter box this being the second this week. We get so many now it is a joke because we can't have any peace in our own home. I'm turning into a clone of Victor Meldrew.
Kind regards, Col.
Many thanks Big Al for adding the CAD drawings of your lathe bed. They show just how different lathe beds can be.
During the war Paula women used to do metal turning in fact they did many jobs usually associated with men; these days though it is uncommon to see a young lady getting her hands dirty and I wonder how many would recognize a lathe if they saw one? They now seem to spend forever at uni studying really useful things like sports science or history. (The team of young ladies in their twenties on Eggheads the other night confirmed this). Good on you for spending time on a lathe.
Yes Paula; there are crescent marks from hammer blows but these fortunately are restricted to the chucks; the beds require grinding after many years of hard use as all the sliding surfaces wear as does any bearing; the wear takes place on the bed and saddle nearest the chuck and adjusting the GIB to take up this wear will work near the chuck but as the saddle is traversed towards the tailstock it will lock up solid. Grinding the "ways" restores the original accuracy; after grinding the GIB can be adjusted correctly and the saddle will traverse the full length of the bed; at least I hope it will once I get that far. The compound slides also suffer in this way and I will have to restore these by hand scraping. Chat away all you want to Paula and Joe; it generates interest and this is what the forum is about after all. Were you bossy at school being a tall girl? Good photo as well.
You must have saved a lot of money on shampoo over the years Joe just as I have done. Hard luck in not getting the lathe. I have a chum who has a Clarke lathe for sale at £250. it is one owner and like new with all the extras; variable speed; metric and imperial screw-cutting; chucks and follower etc. It is 12" between centres, I considered buying it but fear I would kill it as I'm used to the big stuff. My Colchester had a 5HP 3 phase motor and would take a hefty bite out of anything.
I've been waiting for the synthetic enamel paint to dry and at last I managed to give the beds a second coat by brush. I don't know why I dream of spraying given this climate; I opened the garage doors and the wind was rattling them in beautiful bright sunshine. I made a start on brush painting and someone turned out the lights; it was a black hole again as the sun disappeared. Once again I was painting in shadows. The supplier recommended this synthetic enamel but to be honest I wish I had not bothered with it. It is dearer than auto lacquer and has drawbacks. Out of the tin it is of a thick consistancy but although hard work to brush it covers well putting plenty of body on. It takes forever to harden. This afternoon I decided to thin the paint down in the hope of applying the second coat before the wind covered everything in debris. I had intended to spray so bought the correct "Fast thinner". The thinned paint was even harder to apply as it didn't allow much open time to brush it out. What a pity it sets up quickly whilst brushing but then takes so long to harden. It hardens quickly forming a skin but I know if I handled the lathe the paint would retain my finger marks. I'm also unsure what effect lubricants will have on the paint long term; I'm assured by the supplier that once the paint fully sets it should be unaffected.
I've still got two compressors and at least four spray guns but can seldom use them. I need to have the garage doors wide open whilst painting; the health warnings on the tin are enough to put anyone off removing the lid let alone dipping a brush or even worse spraying the stuff. The beds are looking better for the TLC so far and once the paint finally dries I can make a start on fitting the saddle.
A couple of years or so ago I bought some Tufnol and made brand new headstock bearings for the Myford I use; I also had the Mandrel metal sprayed. At the time whilst I was visiting the Tufnol supplier I explained that I like to tinker around and experiment in the garage. The guy offered to save me bags full of offcuts saying they only go to landfill so you will save us having to dispose of them. I never did receive a call to go over to collect them.
A few days ago I contacted the supplier by email explaining that I was now fully restoring two lathes; I was happy to buy the Tufnol for the headstock bearings for the second lathe but I wished to experiment with Tufnol for the GIBS. It's strange now that this company who was always so busy cutting all kinds of plastics to customers orders no longer have offcuts but only supply pre-cut sizes. To make matters worse the prices have gone through the roof. A piece of Whale Tufnol 50mm Dia x 150mm long now cost the best part of £40 including the rip of 20% VAT. I needed a couple of Whale Tufnol strips 1/2" x 3/4" x 7.5" for the GIBS. To make these two GIBS would now also cost the best part of £40 as I would have to buy a piece 300mm x 300mm. I don't want anything for nothing and I'm aware this company owes me absolutely nothing but I'm getting sick of people saying they will do something then don't bother; sorry if I sound to be moaning but I've only just been let down after being promised transport to take the beds for grinding; take the lousy weather into account and the government adding 20% VAT to materials I wonder if I should take myself and my machinery over to India or Poland because there is no incentive to do anything over here only sit on my backside. Hope this generates replies but non political please.
Whilst washing the car after doing the painting this afternoon I was once again pestered by tree surgeons on the street; then shortly after I was watching Tony's excellent two videos covering restorations; I was well into the second video when the door bell rang; it was a guy from the Red Cross. Before getting out of bed this morning we had a begging plastic bag pushed through our letter box this being the second this week. We get so many now it is a joke because we can't have any peace in our own home. I'm turning into a clone of Victor Meldrew.
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
