Baby Capstan

[indy4x]

Seeing as I acquired a baby capstan from @HughF thought I'd best put some updates on the forum

Have a shed load of projects stacked up so updates to this will probably be sporadic

As it arrived



No idea of the make, not looked really hard for a maker's label. There is this riveted on the front but don't think it's going to help



Offloaded and put to one side in my garage



Tonight a had a little spare time so started to strip it

Despite looking very rusty it seems to be coming apart OK, so far





Took the top off the capstan bit and was pleasantly surprised by the condition inside

 

[indy4x]

Bit more work, I'm still amazed that all of the nuts and bolts have come undone with virtually no drama

Small pile of bits


Couple of minutes with a scraper, scotch pad and WD40



And the bed has this stamped on it



The bed obviously has some pitting but is very smooth

Will probably drop the base and tray off at the sandblasters and throw some paint on it then I'll need to shelve it for a while and get some other jobs done

 

[indy4x]

Still no idea on the manufacturer, not found any useful makers marks and Google hasn't turned up anything yet

 

[Turbo]

Still no idea on the manufacturer, not found any useful makers marks and Google hasn't turned up anything yet

Did you try e-mailing pics to Tony at lathes.co.uk? He's always interested in pics of unusual or rare lathes & might be able to offer some advice.

 

[indy4x]

@Turbo Yep, contacting Tony is on my to do list

 

[Ton-up]

Still no idea on the manufacturer, not found any useful makers marks and Google hasn't turned up anything yet

Is it not an Atlas as a couple of people said in the freebies thread?

Atlas 10-inch Screw Machine (capstan lathe)

Atlas 10-inch lathes from the first to last. Includes details of the British copies by Acorntools, Sphere and halifax

www.lathes.co.uk

 

[6ply]

Bit more work, I'm still amazed that all of the nuts and bolts have come undone with virtually no drama

Small pile of bits

View attachment 369971
Couple of minutes with a scraper, scotch pad and WD40

View attachment 369972

And the bed has this stamped on it

View attachment 369970

The bed obviously has some pitting but is very smooth

Will probably drop the base and tray off at the sandblasters and throw some paint on it then I'll need to shelve it for a while and get some other jobs done

How much do you expect that to cost? Will they prime? I've asked about this before and it seems like they don't want the work.

 

[HughF]

How much do you expect that to cost? Will they prime? I've asked about this before and it seems like they don't want the work.

In my experience, the very best way to deal with cast iron machinery/machiery bases is with a needle gun. Works very well and leaves an ideal key for new primer. In many cases it can remove multiple layers of non-factory paint, back to the factory primer, leaving it ready for fresh topcoat.

 

[HughF]

Bit more work, I'm still amazed that all of the nuts and bolts have come undone with virtually no drama

Small pile of bits

View attachment 369971
Couple of minutes with a scraper, scotch pad and WD40

View attachment 369972

And the bed has this stamped on it

View attachment 369970

The bed obviously has some pitting but is very smooth

Will probably drop the base and tray off at the sandblasters and throw some paint on it then I'll need to shelve it for a while and get some other jobs done

This did live well covered up until about 3 years ago, when the cover came off and I 'forgot' to cover it back up. I'm pleased that it isn't completely seized solid. It might make a nice base for a simple CNC conversion, with the collet chuck and the square bedways?

 

[indy4x]

How much do you expect that to cost? Will they prime? I've asked about this before and it seems like they don't want the work.

Probably £40 for cash so not too speedy, won't be primed though, can do that myself

He's done other things for me and he's pretty good with prices

 

[6ply]

Probably £40 for cash so not too speedy, won't be primed though, can do that myself

He's done other things for me and he's pretty good with prices

Wish I could find someone local at that price. Nearest I found was someone offered to lend me their road compressor for free - guaranteed to annoy the neighbours!

 

[6ply]

In my experience, the very best way to deal with cast iron machinery/machiery bases is with a needle gun. Works very well and leaves an ideal key for new primer. In many cases it can remove multiple layers of non-factory paint, back to the factory primer, leaving it ready for fresh topcoat.

Love my needle gun. Gets used to remove paint, rust, bathroom tiles, and clear the cement mixer.

 

[HughF]

Wish I could find someone local at that price. Nearest I found was someone offered to lend me their road compressor for free - guaranteed to annoy the neighbours!

As you’re Dorset based (as am I), assume you’ve given Andy at Metalblast a call?

 

[6ply]

As you’re Dorset based (as am I), assume you’ve given Andy at Metalblast a call?

Sorry, but it took me only two months to know you'd posted this.

No I haven't, but thanks for the suggestion. I may give that a try for the next job.

 

[Erie Fred]

This looks like an ideal candidate for electrolysis rust removal.