18-03-2014, 05:35 PM
Hi,
To bring the story up to date. I've spent some time working on the top slide which is now fully stripped and cleaned awaiting new paint once I can use the spray gun prevented over the last few days by bad weather.
I keep being amazed by the quality of this Lorch which was made so long ago when labour was not timed to the second and when materials were not miserly. I keep coming across tiny machine screws specially made for purpose and installed with great accuracy in fact the top slide gib strip is located by a pair of tiny steel dowels but I would be interested to learn how the locating holes were drilled in such a confined space and with the bit starting at such an acute angle; next time I fight the weather to get into the garage I'll try to take a picture of some of these small fixings; they are most impressive.
One hidden countersunk machine screw is accessible via a cut out in the top casting and this screw is designed and installed simply to eradicate backlash by closing thread in similar manner to lead screw half nuts but this arrangement is just a slit which is very neat and these days would not be included because of cost? I've also found what appears to be a metal to metal cone clutch which is spring loaded; I'll add more detail on this later once I've had time to examine and study its function; it appears to be torque activated so built in to prevent damage being caused? Considering the age of the lathe (age as yet unknown but certainly very old) it is obviously a top class lathe and built up to a high standard not down to a cost; I feel privileged to own such a lathe and hope I can do justice to it.
This morning I gave some of the carriage components a Gunk bath in order to de-grease them so now I really do need a decent day to blow a drop of paint on them then I can begin re-assembly. The slides were very dirty as seen in the pictures but what a blessing that so far apart from lots of dirt everything is in pretty good condition once cleaned up; to look at this Lorch when I first bought it anyone would have considered it to be scrap? Once the carriage is restored then I'm really looking forward to tackling the head-stock to see what gems await me regarding machining quality and design of components especially the main bearings?
I'm still uncomfortable using my right arm but I've managed to polish up the top slide components using a sisal mop in my electric drill dosing the mop with Brasso which has made a right mess in the garage but will clean up; I polished the sliding surfaces by hand in order to be gentle with them. Whilst at the last Rufforth Auto Jumble I noticed a stall displaying large cans of genuine Brasso if they are still available next visit I'll ask how much with a view to buying a can.
Kind regards, Col.
To bring the story up to date. I've spent some time working on the top slide which is now fully stripped and cleaned awaiting new paint once I can use the spray gun prevented over the last few days by bad weather.
I keep being amazed by the quality of this Lorch which was made so long ago when labour was not timed to the second and when materials were not miserly. I keep coming across tiny machine screws specially made for purpose and installed with great accuracy in fact the top slide gib strip is located by a pair of tiny steel dowels but I would be interested to learn how the locating holes were drilled in such a confined space and with the bit starting at such an acute angle; next time I fight the weather to get into the garage I'll try to take a picture of some of these small fixings; they are most impressive.
One hidden countersunk machine screw is accessible via a cut out in the top casting and this screw is designed and installed simply to eradicate backlash by closing thread in similar manner to lead screw half nuts but this arrangement is just a slit which is very neat and these days would not be included because of cost? I've also found what appears to be a metal to metal cone clutch which is spring loaded; I'll add more detail on this later once I've had time to examine and study its function; it appears to be torque activated so built in to prevent damage being caused? Considering the age of the lathe (age as yet unknown but certainly very old) it is obviously a top class lathe and built up to a high standard not down to a cost; I feel privileged to own such a lathe and hope I can do justice to it.
This morning I gave some of the carriage components a Gunk bath in order to de-grease them so now I really do need a decent day to blow a drop of paint on them then I can begin re-assembly. The slides were very dirty as seen in the pictures but what a blessing that so far apart from lots of dirt everything is in pretty good condition once cleaned up; to look at this Lorch when I first bought it anyone would have considered it to be scrap? Once the carriage is restored then I'm really looking forward to tackling the head-stock to see what gems await me regarding machining quality and design of components especially the main bearings?
I'm still uncomfortable using my right arm but I've managed to polish up the top slide components using a sisal mop in my electric drill dosing the mop with Brasso which has made a right mess in the garage but will clean up; I polished the sliding surfaces by hand in order to be gentle with them. Whilst at the last Rufforth Auto Jumble I noticed a stall displaying large cans of genuine Brasso if they are still available next visit I'll ask how much with a view to buying a can.
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
