Harrison 12" lathe problem.

[Alan Reynolds]

Hi, looking for a bit of advice on a Harrison 12" as per the link: https:/tinyurl.com/y559nbem The stars that appear in the link should be tinyurl(dot)com but for some reason don't come up.

I have access to this old abused lathe and one of the things it has a problem with is that the autofeed does not work at all. I am able to turn both bars by hand but there is no drive in any of the lever positions. Does anyone advise how I should initially tackle the problem? Is there oil in the cover that would need to be drained? This poor old lathe hasn't seen any tlc for decades and someone recently put a 25mm diameter axle in it and didn't tighten the chuck and then ran out of the room when it started to flap around, causing the jaws to seriously bell mouth. Would anyone possibly have a copy of a manual they could help me with please.

 

[grim_d]

It's possible that a shear pin has sheared to prevent damage to the machine during a crash or a gear has lost some teeth.

The feed rod should have a clutch on it though.

Is the gearbox fully engaged? I have in the past had a panic that my gearbox was damaged but it was just the reverse tumbler not completely engaged.

Is drive getting to the gearbox? Are the appropriate changewheels in place to drive the gearbox?

 

[Alan Reynolds]

It's possible that a shear pin has sheared to prevent damage to the machine during a crash or a gear has lost some teeth.

The feed rod should have a clutch on it though.

Is the gearbox fully engaged? I have in the past had a panic that my gearbox was damaged but it was just the reverse tumbler not completely engaged.

Is drive getting to the gearbox? Are the appropriate changewheels in place to drive the gearbox?

Thanks for the rapid reply. A shear pin is a good possibility because I can imagine someone leaving it on feed and not realising it wouldn't stop automatically.
I've tried all combinations of drive and I don't think anyone has ever changed any changewheels as there aren't any on the cupboard underneath.

I'll have a go at removing the front cover.

 

[piman]

Hello Alan,

for manuals and also lots of information look here:- https://store.lathes.co.uk/.

Are the lead screw and travel drive shafts turning? if not then it is likely to be a problem with the gears from the head stock to the gearbox, just remove the cover and run the machine which should give a better idea of the problem. Other areas are the feed gearbox or the apron mechanism although I think this is the least likely option.

Alec

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I believe the 12” were the same as the 11” and the 140 in that they have a clutch on the drove shafts. I’ll have a look in the manual in a minute and see what it has to say

 

[Alan Reynolds]

I believe the 12” were the same as the 11” and the 140 in that they have a clutch on the drove shafts. I’ll have a look in the manual in a minute and see what it has to say

Thank you Dan. The lathe does sound like a bag of spanners when you use it. I'm just a little wary of diving in as I would usually do as it doesn't belong to me.

 

[hareng]

Lever left of high/low range engaged there is a neutral there?
Also revolve spondle whilst trying to engage the two levers below and that hard to engage single lever.

 

[R-D-R]

Hopefully its the shearpin, can you see the drive side turning at all? check all gear levers and direction levers are properly engaged and not giving a neutral. If still nothing then the gearbox may not be getting drive due to missing gears or belts in the change wheel area? i fell for this once on my M250 i had arranged them without looking what i was doing!

 

[zzr1200]

I have a PDF copy of the manual for a Harrison L6 Lathe MK1, sent me your email address via a pm and I'll sent you a copy.

 

[Alan Reynolds]

I have a PDF copy of the manual for a Harrison L6 Lathe MK1, sent me your emai

I have a PDF copy of the manual for a Harrison L6 Lathe MK1, sent me your email address via a pm and I'll sent you a copy.

I have a PDF copy of the manual for a Harrison L6 Lathe MK1, sent me your email address via a pm and I'll sent you a copy.

Wow, thanks for the offer. My email is alanreynolds48@gmail.com Sorry I have no idea how to send a PM on here. I find it illogical. But I design so that any idiot can use the thing, not just the person who designed it.

 

[grim_d]

Top right > inbox > start a conversation.

Basically in the control panel like any other forum.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Wow, thanks for the offer. My email is alanreynolds48@gmail.com Sorry I have no idea how to send a PM on here. I find it illogical. But I design so that any idiot can use the thing, not just the person who designed it.

Click on a name.

Click start conversation.
Or click inbox

Then start conversation

 

[Alan Reynolds]

Top right > inbox > start a conversation.

Basically in the control panel like any other forum.

All the forums I use, apart from this one, the poster has a PM box on their post that you just click on. Maybe it's because I spent years teaching people with learning difficulties and disabilities. I expect things to be logical and self explanatory.

 

[Alan Reynolds]

Hello Alan,

for manuals and also lots of information look here:- https://store.lathes.co.uk/.

Are the lead screw and travel drive shafts turning? if not then it is likely to be a problem with the gears from the head stock to the gearbox, just remove the cover and run the machine which should give a better idea of the problem. Other areas are the feed gearbox or the apron mechanism although I think this is the least likely option.

Alec

Bit pricey on that site. £15.00 for 8 pages of a sales catalogue!