19-01-2014, 09:59 PM
I have a roundhead Colchester Student in the mechanical workshop, it is showing it's age a little, but will turn nearly anything I need it to.
I had to replace the feed nut on the cross slide, the previous owners seemed to care little for maintenance, or lubrication, it wasnt kept in the best area for a lathe either, in the same room that abrasive chopsaws were used!
Whenever the factory floor got painted, the lathe got a coat as well, while I would love to strip it all down and repaint the machine, it is there to work, and not look pretty (which it certainly does not!)
I do have to look at the motor drive contactor, I think there may be a slightly sticky, or poor contact there, as there are odd times when there is a definite sound of arcing on starting the motor - a judiciously applied tap with a boot on the apron persuades it to behave!
It came with a guillotine from a liquidation sale - my real reason for submitting a bid, while I find the lathe useful, the sheet metal cutter was the prize, that being said, it was a bargain, and came with a lot of tooling.
Will pop some piccys in the right thread, once I have had a chance to give it a clean up - it has seen a lot of use this year making up odds and ends for people!
I had to replace the feed nut on the cross slide, the previous owners seemed to care little for maintenance, or lubrication, it wasnt kept in the best area for a lathe either, in the same room that abrasive chopsaws were used!
Whenever the factory floor got painted, the lathe got a coat as well, while I would love to strip it all down and repaint the machine, it is there to work, and not look pretty (which it certainly does not!)
I do have to look at the motor drive contactor, I think there may be a slightly sticky, or poor contact there, as there are odd times when there is a definite sound of arcing on starting the motor - a judiciously applied tap with a boot on the apron persuades it to behave!
It came with a guillotine from a liquidation sale - my real reason for submitting a bid, while I find the lathe useful, the sheet metal cutter was the prize, that being said, it was a bargain, and came with a lot of tooling.
Will pop some piccys in the right thread, once I have had a chance to give it a clean up - it has seen a lot of use this year making up odds and ends for people!
