Mellor lathe.

[God mode restorations]

Fantastic work Pete. Had a great day watching and learning how the process is done . A very educational day in watching a fantastic operator on such an awesome lathe.
Totally appreciate the help Pete. Thankyou very much indeed.

 

[God mode restorations]

I did give the lathe ways a good clean today. And also checked out the feed gearing for the power feed. And they are what they are.cant be reduced. The pulley system has the correct pulleys so the speeds are what they are.

 

[Richard.]

I did give the lathe ways a good clean today. And also checked out the feed gearing for the power feed. And they are what they are.cant be reduced. The pulley system has the correct pulleys so the speeds are what they are.View attachment 137616 View attachment 137617 View attachment 137618 View attachment 137619

Can you feed on the lead screw with the change wheels like cutting a thread?
Might give you the ability to really tune in that finish speed.

 

[God mode restorations]

Can you feed on the lead screw with the change wheels like cutting a thread?
Might give you the ability to really tune in that finish speed.

That's what I was looking at. According to lathes uk there was an option of a really fine feed.

 

[God mode restorations]

The change wheels only for the screw cutting side.

 

[Pete.]

Fantastic work Pete. Had a great day watching and learning how the process is done . A very educational day in watching a fantastic operator on such an awesome lathe.
Totally appreciate the help Pete. Thankyou very much indeed.

It was my pleasure. Cutting that screw was nothing compared to the aggro I had trying to single-point the nut. I had a devil of a time making a tool that had enough clearance to return for the next pass but keeping enough rigidity so that it didn't bend cutting the thread.

BTW reviewing your pics I don't think you have a feed rate problem, I think it's a product of trying to machine a difficult material with a sharp pointed tool and at a little too fast RPM. If you could slow it down and put a nose radius on the tool you'll see a much better finish. That piece of stock looks like a medium carbon or even an alloy steel. I'd get hold of some EN1 or EN3 and use that for practice.

 

[God mode restorations]

It was my pleasure. Cutting that screw was nothing compared to the aggro I had trying to single-point the nut. I had a devil of a time making a tool that had enough clearance to return for the next pass but keeping enough rigidity so that it didn't bend cutting the thread.

BTW reviewing your pics I don't think you have a feed rate problem, I think it's a product of trying to machine a difficult material with a sharp pointed tool and at a little too fast RPM. If you could slow it down and put a nose radius on the tool you'll see a much better finish. That piece of stock looks like a medium carbon or even an alloy steel. I'd get hold of some EN1 or EN3 and use that for practice.

That material is really tough. But I will get fresh stock once I am sorted.

 

[Pete.]

All back together now and Spencer has taken it back home. I'm sure he'll post some action shots later

Had a devil of a job trying to line up the spigot for the cross slide nut and in the end I had to make an eccentric sleeve. It's a great fit though there's no backlash in the nut or screw whatsoever. I'm sure that'll change when it starts getting some use though.

 

[Richard.]

there's no backlash in the nut or screw whatsoever.

I’m sure as it was made with your skilled hands it will be extremely well toleranced but there must be some back lash in it. Even a tiny amount. Zero lash would surely mean it wouldn’t move.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

All back together now and Spencer has taken it back home. I'm sure he'll post some action shots later

View attachment 137841

Had a devil of a job trying to line up the spigot for the cross slide nut and in the end I had to make an eccentric sleeve. It's a great fit though there's no backlash in the nut or screw whatsoever. I'm sure that'll change when it starts getting some use though.

And I notice a new cross slide gear fitted now too. Tidy.

 

[Pete.]

And I notice a new cross slide gear fitted now too. Tidy.

Yep 25 teeth with three degrees bevel best we could measure.

 

[God mode restorations]

Just got home. First job tomorrow is get it put back together and sorted.
Massive thanks Pete.

 

[God mode restorations]

Slowly going back together.

 

[God mode restorations]

All done.
My first job was to drill and tap the power feed engagement shaft for a m8 bolt. All sorted. Few other bits to do but she is all up and running.
A massive shout to Pete for all his help. The screw works perfectly. Can't thank him enough.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Great job you've done there!! Now....about the guard(s) for those gears.....

 

[Richard.]

Looks great.
Top class work from Pete on that screw and nut.
Wish I was capable of such work.

 

[God mode restorations]

Great job you've done there!! Now....about the guard(s) for those gears.....

Am doing that shortly now it's set up.

 

[God mode restorations]

Looks great.
Top class work from Pete on that screw and nut.
Wish I was capable of such work.

Definitely Richard. Be a while before I can produce anything of that class.

 

[Richard.]

There is just something about that machine that just looks awesome to me.
The single central stand, the curves in the jaws the whole thing looks really cool. I’d love to own it.

 

[God mode restorations]

There is just something about that machine that just looks awesome to me.
The single central stand, the curves in the jaws the whole thing looks really cool. I’d love to own it.

It is a beautiful machine to look at. And very rigid. I hope once it's complete I can produce work worthy of its looks.