Love of lathes.

[Retired]

Hi,

Not the best of days but I have managed a couple of one hour sessions in the garage and moved the restoration forward apace. Aligning the legs; tray and bed was a very heavy job working on my own but I struggled through; the counter-shaft frame looks totally different as does the rest of the items with new paintwork making the strip down very worth while. I feel at last I'm making good progress to see these big items back together after the many hours I've spent on them. I've a few more re-painted items to add then I can get on with the lathe restoration proper.

Kind regards, Col.

       

[AlanBeckett]

It's looking very promising young Col, if a little 'Pea Green' for my taste

Alan

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks Big Al; the green won't look as fierce most of the year; there is something wrong though at the moment; the sun has shone for the last few days and it's dazzling the paint but surely cannot last before it burns itself out? Perhaps I should take a picture of the Lorch new paintwork at midnight with the lights out to show what it should look like?

Kind regards, Col.

[Retired]

Hi,

Another interrupted day here in paradise; British gas was here at dinner time to service the central heating boiler; not a problem but again concentration shattered whilst trying to work on the Lorch; I'm just a simply guy who can only do one thing at a time so am easily thrown off my intended course.

This morning I set about installing the idler pulley; the shaft was de-burred and the grease hole cleaned out as was the grease cup. New grease was added to the cup and forced through the hole in the shaft so now I know the idler will be well greased. Next I cut a strip of old tea towel to act as a sling because the the idler didn't allow space to get my hands in to align it which at the time I thought an excellent idea; pity though because the gap between the bed ways was insufficient to allow the idler to enter; I had forgotten that the idler pulley had been removed from below; drat it the bed has to come off the stand again? I protected the new paint on the tray with old bed sheets then tipped the bed over allowing the idler to be installed but the cloth strip actually worked a treat as an aid to alignment. The shaft end was located in the outer end of the bed then pushed through just enough to locate the first collar; the idler was added next followed by the second collar.

Everything was generously greased during assembly then the set screws were nipped up; one set screw secures the shaft to the bed two more secure the locating collars allowing slight end play in the idler; two set screws were nipped directly from above but the inboard set screw was nipped at an angle through a slot in the rear of the bed; a strange arrangement but this is how it was when I stripped it.

This small job took me up to midday; the gas engineer arrived bang on midday as arranged so I hung around in the garage tidying up then we had a later dinner. After dinner I wandered into the garage again and started cleaning the two drive rods for the carriage one of these being the lead screw. A very dirty job indeed but slowly I found the parts under the dirt making a good job of them; I had to knock off when my right elbow became too painful but all in all another big step forward in this restoration. I've not got a plan of action but each time I go into the garage I just get stuck in because however I do it all the items will end up being restored so at this stage order doesn't really matter because I'll get there in the end.

The pictures don't really show just how dirty the items were but what a transformation and I'm delighted at how the idler pulley now looks; I re-filled the grease cup and added more grease until I could see excess grease being discharged at the idler ends so I know this won't be seizing up for want of lubrication.

If I could get a few straight days on this restoration without lots of interruptions then I could move it forward quickly; as I sit here typing a card has just landed on our carpet advertising bathroom fitting; don't these people ever give up; they pester us morning noon and night; fair enough they are only trying to make a living and good on them for that but there is no let up living here?

I expect much the same tomorrow as I've had today; jerked around with Virgin Media and more interruptions but at least I'm still kicking and getting glimpses of enjoyment out of retirement. I'll add the picture again of the idler before I went to work on it for comparison.

Kind regards, Col.

                           

[AlanBeckett]

What's the Leadscrew like Col?
Any progress on the Belts?
Are you going to strip the Saddle and Apron?

Alan

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks for asking Big Al.

The lead-screw appears in good condition without lumps missing or other kinds of damage etc; however I've not tried to measure wear knowing given its age there is bound to be wear usually in the area where the half nuts engage whilst the carriage is near the chuck end of the bed? I could roughly measure by using a single small ball bearing one that enters the thread but doesn't bottom out firstly taking a micrometer measurement with the ball located in the unworn tail-stock end of the lead-screw then take another measurement where I would expect to find wear; this would give a good indication of wear?

Yes much progress on the belts which I was going to add so here are the details. Benson Beltings Limited (Cleckheaton) are excellent to deal with and although their belt prices might appear quite expensive I think given the expected belt life the belts would prove good value? I received a free belt sample as shown in the pictures and this sample is a laminated belt being soft leather inner but with a tremendously strong impregnated fabric outer this fabric being man made. The prices quoted are for endless belts (already joined). 2235mm x 28mm £36.80 each and 1505mm x 28mm £30.75 each plus the usual government VAT rip off and carriage. I can buy the shorter motor to counter-shaft belt and install this but I need to be able to join the counter-shaft to mandrel belt in the lathe and because these belts are laminated and surprisingly very thin I need to inquire further as to how I can achieve this in my home workshop? As I say not cheap for two belts but what can you buy these days for this amount of money and once the belts are installed should give quiet trouble free running service for a long long time; I'm sure one major benefit apart from strength will be that once installed these belts will never stretch or stretch very little indeed? Once I get nearer to needing the belts I'll update the information; I might end up changing the motor mounting and also the motor so I'm not ordering any belting until I'm positive I know the exact belt lengths I need?

Yes and yes I'm now going the full distance with this restoration and intend to strip the lot; I'm expecting fun and games with the carriage because although the lead-screw drives perfectly the other long slotted drive shaft is turning a control to the front of the apron it isn't engaging anything else; the top slide at some point has been severely run into the chuck becoming damaged which at the top slide is more cosmetic but I wonder if something has been broken in the drive gears hidden from view; the power cross slide is inoperative at the moment so whilst I'm going to so much trouble I might as well try to put this problem right and also perhaps find out what makes this lathe tick? It's obviously a screw cutting lathe but so far I haven't seen any indexing for engaging the half nuts which is unusual? Now a lot of the big items are sorted I think I'll have a look at the carriage assembly next and have a go at restoring this into full working order?

I've been around lathes for the last 50 years but never actually rebuilt a lathe so in this respect this particular restoration is new to me but the work involved is mechanical engineering so I'm in no way a raw novice. I'm just pleased the heavy work is now behind me before my elbows fully pack in with all the work thus far carried out. I can never determine where the line is between pleasure and punishment during my restorations which I admit tend to ramble on and definitely get out of hand taking my life over for many weeks on end? Still I'm never bored.

Kind regards, Col.

       

[camallison]

>> my restorations which I admit tend to ramble on and definitely get out of hand taking my life over for many weeks on end?

Keeps you off the streets and out of mischief, Col!

Colin

[AlanBeckett]

How thick are the Belts Col? I've found the usual Balata Belts rather thick for use on short lengths. The original short endless Belt from the Motor Pulley to the Countershaft on the big Denbigh Drill is quite thin.

The Chipmaster has a simple Dog Clutch at the Gearbox end of the Leadscrew 'cause you're not supposed to use it for anything except Threading.
It also has a couple of Shear Pins in case you get it wrong. Perhaps yours has.

Alan

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks Colin; yes these restorations sure keep me busy leaving me too tired to get into any serious trouble.

Many thanks Big Al; the new sample belting is 3/32" thick which in drive belt terms is very thin indeed but the sample appears to be incredibly strong. I've been very busy this afternoon working on the Lorch in peace and quiet for a change which is very rare indeed; shirt sleeves with the garage doors wide open mid March works for me.

I've now stripped most of the carriage as seen in the pictures below and what an absolutely dirty job its been; I've not yet sussed out how all the gearing works but what I do now know is that it looks to be in excellent condition; the Lorch will weigh a lot less with all this dirt and rubbish removed. I was interested to learn why the cross slide (facing) power feed doesn't work but there is nothing amiss as far as I can see but possibly the cross slide screw might be the cause because there is a lot of slack in the outer bearing area and given that the gear is so small it might not be meshing? I wonder if I can open the casting hole to accept a bush but this will not be an easy job unless I can bring a reamer to bear? This lathe yells quality right down to the special set screws; I'll be pleased to see it run once again. I've now really broken it and hope I can put it all back together but more painting will be needed first.

When I separated the apron there were six set screws in three different lengths so I've attached these to a piece of card in correct order; its so easy to simply unscrew components throwing everything into a container only to deeply regret it later; I've also taken lots of images just to be safe for when I start to re-assemble everything.

When I opened the garage doors today I thought that's a powerful cellulose smell so after pulling the car out I investigated. I've now suffered exactly the same problem that David suffered a couple of years ago in that the 5 ltr cellulose thinners tin had sprung a leak at its base joint flooding one of the benches which was downright dangerous in the confines of the garage so I quickly emptied the rest of the thinners into lidded glass jars. One day I will go into the garage without hassle but I'm not holding my breath?

Kind regards, Col.

                               

[Retired]

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.