Lathe identification

[p0689109]

I have a lathe that has no identifying plate or marks on it. Its a cobbled together jobby but works, of sorts anyway. I do not do a great lot with it apart from turning down something to fit as a drift or the like. As you can see from the photos it is driven by an old 1/4 hp single phase motor, through an old car gearbox and then a belt to the lathe. The problem I have is that sometimes when I go to start the motor it needs a flick of the output shaft to turn. It does not do it all the time. Then when cutting, the belt slips if more than the smallest cut is fed in. As you can see the belt is brand new. The adjustment of the belt tension is by two turnbuckles between the lathe stock and the plank upon which the motor/gearbox frame is mounted. I assume that the reluctance to start probably means that the motor is on its last legs. Would it be better if I replace it with say a 0.75hp motor hoping that the extra torque would also alleviate the belt slipping as well.
If any of you can identify the lathe I would appreciate it too.

 

[Pete.]

Without checking - Drummond 'M'.

Let's go look..

Hmm, not an 'M', but a Drummond of some kind, or a Myford. Look here:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/drummond/index.html

 

[Pete.]

Actually - looks like an early M. Missing tumbler reverse threw me for a bit.

They are a nice machine for a small workshop. The motor not starting depends on the type. Most likely cause is a sticking centrifugal switch. Putting on a bigger motor won't stop the belt from slipping. Looks like you have a fundamental problem with the way it's tensioned. If you want a non-slip one just get a normal modern poly-vee belt and run it on the flat side.

 

[p0689109]

Thanks for that Pete. What do you think is causing the slippage then. When it first started doing it the belt would slip off the gearbox pulley. So I fitted a plate infront of it to stop that happening but it still slipped.

 

[Pete.]

That's what I was referring to - the gearbox pulley is not parallel to the spindle causing the belt to have uneven load across it's width and run off the pulley edge. The lathe looks pretty original but the motor and gearbox is a lash-up.

Incidentally - don't run this machine without lubricating the spindle - it'll wear out the spindle bearing pretty quickly.

 

[graffian]

You can stop the belt slipping with some belt dressing.
I used coke a cola concentrate as dressing. Well I had no idea what belt dressing was, so poured a bit of the concentrate [I just so happened to have found a bottle in a car I had] on one of the pulleys to see if it did any thing and the belt gripped really well; it went from slowing on a 10 thou cut to happily cutting an 1/8 of an inch[this was boring a 12.75" hole]. But you motor is a bit small.
Love the gearbox..

 

[p0689109]

Thanks for the feedback gents. The pulleys to my old eyes look to be parallel ,or in a straight line to each other, and off load run true. The guard I put on kept the belt in line but lost the drive. My first thought was not enough friction. So this coke concoction Graffian is just neat coke soaked into the belt? it is a new belt and for what it is is not cheap. I do not want to ruin it!
Because of the age of the motor I was planning on getting a replacement and want to make sure I get the right size. The only drawback I can see to going from a 1/4 to a 3/4 hp motor is the extra electric the motor will use but will it be overkill for my size lathe? I have and do lubricate the shaft oilers. The v belt trick sounds like a good idea and I will try tensioning the belt using the turnbuckles. I did not want to overtighten them though. Thanks for those tips Pete.
All comments welcome.

 

[Pete.]

The motor will only draw what the job demands so don't worry too much about that.
If you're doing a motor change try to find a small 3-phase motor and inverter for variable speed control without changing belts.

 

[Fintray]

Try Rocol belt dressing.

 

[Wallace]

A cover plate over the motor wiring might save a shock or two!

 

[DrNik]

i love it a car gearbox, peoples ingenuity,

 

[octo0072000]

gearbox looks a bit like an old ford sit up an beg pop one e93a but not sure
and + two on the belt dressing

was fullers earth used as a belt dressing comes to mind but not sure on that one

 

[p0689109]

Wallace, the cover plate is off as I am in the middle of removing the motor!
Pete.-too expensive for what I use it for and the gearbox gives me the speed changes!
Dr. Nik- not my ingenuity I am afraid. I got it like that off of the good old ebay!
Thanks for that Fintray. I will try nd source a tube/tin/can!