Can you identify this lathe?

[Bigjoe]

I went to collect a freecycle wet and dry vac today and the lady asked if i would be interested in buying any tools etc as they are retiring to texas at the end of the month (he husband is a texan) so i had a look and most of it was diy or horsey stuff but she offered me a small old metal working lathe and a blacksmiths vice (i think its called) both were somewhat buried but she has since sent me some photos of the lathe taken a while ago and i offered her £20 for the lathe and she gave me both for £20,im picking them up on saturday

Pictures are'nt great but someone may know what it is.

 

[eil]

There could be a clue in where the leadscrew is
http://www.lathes.co.uk/drummond/page3.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/relm/

 

[Welderpaul]

Not seen a tapered chuck like that before.

Reckon it's accurate?

 

[Drains]

There could be a clue in where the leadscrew is
http://www.lathes.co.uk/drummond/page3.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/relm/

Leadscrew? Can't see one!

20 quid though Joe, that'll do.

 

[eil]

Thats because its running through the centre of the bed Simon.

 

[busa]

The hand wheel on the back of the tailstock looks like it might be an old valve handle, look closely and you can see open and shut marked on it.

 

[drivewasher]

The motor looks like it's off a very old Service twintub washing machine
The two rubber mounts and the plate with the half moon jubilee type clips, later motors had same arrangement but snap over spring steel clips

 

[Bigjoe]

Thanks for the reply's chaps,i'll take some better pictures when i get it home on saturday and i thought the same about the valve handle and as for the washing machine motor its a possibility! i dont mind too much for £20 the pair.

Joe

 

[Bigjoe]

Well ive got it home and it needs a good dose of TLC but the only marks i can find so far are on the oilers (Im guessing they are) on top of the shafts which says 'Rotherams of coventry' i think (Still needs a good clean) i think there is a belt missing and a few other bits.

oh and the one legged vice weighs a F***ing ton!

 

[cookie munsta]

it looks like a bitsa which is good and bad, good; youpay 20 quid and get a good chuck even if it is a three self centering, four is more acurate, not self centre, you got good parts just find a way to use them, does the chuck and 'lead screw' run true to one another? does it spin with adjustable rpm? does it hold a tool without too much chatter, if yes than it work, just it is up to you as too how well. have fun

 

[Bigjoe]

I dont mind a bitsa lathe, ive not had alot of lathe experience so its for me to play with,im going give it s good clean and a paint and some TLC.

Ive uncovered a small brass plate with screw cutting speeds etc but unfortunately it only came with one tool and a tool post so i shall research what other bits to buy

It all seems to operate smoothly as its been stored in a dry shed and was covered in an oily film so my voyage of discovery starts here.

Would a car fan belt be man enough for the motor to pulley belt? it's a 1/3hp motor i discovered today.

Thanks all for your comments

Joe

 

[ricjpeters]

Lathe History

Have you tried looking on this site
http://www.lathes.co.uk/page21.html

 

[jugs]

I dont mind a bitsa lathe, ive not had alot of lathe experience so its for me to play with,im going give it s good clean and a paint and some TLC.

Ive uncovered a small brass plate with screw cutting speeds etc but unfortunately it only came with one tool and a tool post so i shall research what other bits to buy

It all seems to operate smoothly as its been stored in a dry shed and was covered in an oily film so my voyage of discovery starts here.

Would a car fan belt be man enough for the motor to pulley belt? it's a 1/3hp motor i discovered today.

Thanks all for your comments

Joe

Yes,
because an alternator = 600-900W + water pump = 50-150W + fan = 100-200W, so a fanbelt may have to drive 750 - 1250W.
A 1/3hp motor = 250W.

You may find it under powered, fit a 1/2 or 3/4hp instead.

 

[shenion]

Any belt will do. My welder has a 1/2" car belt (200A alternator.) 3/8" was just a little shy of enough power.

Looks like it already has a link belt, those are nice as they reduce vibration.

It is obviously missing the gears, tumbler and banjo for the power feed. As with most used lathes, those are expensive to find or have made.

For its size, 1/3HP is fine.

Seems all the picts are of the back and can't see the toolpost setup. Probably takes 1/4 or 3/8" tooling.

 

[Bigjoe]

Thanks gents,
Ill give it a good clean up in the next few days and take some better pictures.

What is a power feed for? screw cutting?

Ive had a quick look at lathes.co.uk but im off to have a good look round.

Joe

 

[wyn]

Power feed will drive the lead screw so you don't have to turn the handle, also with the right gearing you can cut threads.

In your first photo it would need some sort of gearing between the top driven shaft and the shaft on the bottom at the end of the lead screw

 

[Bigjoe]

Wyn i dont mind turning the lead screw by hand if its ok to do that. ive just managed to get the motor running and it seems to run nice and smoothly,next job is to get a drive belt next week and make sure if its worth going any further with parts etc.

 

[shenion]

Here is the power feed on mine:

I have about 20 gears for it. On the right you can see a knob that selects forward/neutral/reverse for the feed.

You would need the gears, studs, lever and the banjo plate (plate with slots in it so gears can be arranged.)

Power feed is nice to have. I never really thought I would need thread cutting as I could use a tap/die set. It has proven useful as I found dies tend to not cut threads straight.

I recently cut a 50mm thread with a 1.5mm pitch.

Would be nice to get as much working as you can. I found having a late in my shop a great resource.

 

[cookie munsta]

if you can get some high speed steel, you may be able to make a tool or too, apparently it is good idea to practice getting the angles right without 'bluing' thm using mild steel first. home made tools cut as good and if not requiring anything special than it adds to the fun. a local machinist can lead you in the right direction perhaps?

 

[Bigjoe]

Hi C/M,
I had considered looking into making some tools for it, ill need to take a picture but my tool post is missing a T nut or something as the carriage with T nut slots is on the lathe but there isnt anything to locate the toolpost onto the carriage (probably not the right word).

Ill take some pics but any initial clues anyone?

Joe