My First Lathe - Raglan Capstan MKII

[jenki]

The Raglan User group on Yahoo migrated to https://raglanmachinetools.freeforums.net/ I'm not sure how much of the original site was saved when Yahoo pulled the plug on user groups but may be worth looking.
I have a manky copy of a copy of the Mk 1 users handbook which I can try scanning if it is of any use to you.

 

[adchesney]

Okay so it looks like I guessed wrong and you DO have the original motor, the E/M clutches doing the spindle fwd/rev. There's a pretty good write-up on the lathes website about it. Looks like the machine you have is reasonably rare and has most if not all of the configuration options.

I see your turret power feed is in bits. Do you know the reason for that?

Dear Pete,

Oh my, I had no idea the E/M clutch will handle the Fwd/Rev - I have been researching how to wire the motor to go both ways.

The power feed fell apart when being moved as the turret was taken off the lathe - I have all the bits.

I did buy a manual (sadly only a dozen or so pages) from lathes website - but Tony has been helpful in suggesting books to read for using the lathe.

I would love to speak with someone who has this lathe and pinch a wiring diagram.

Regards
ANDREW

 

[adchesney]

The Raglan User group on Yahoo migrated to https://raglanmachinetools.freeforums.net/ I'm not sure how much of the original site was saved when Yahoo pulled the plug on user groups but may be worth looking.
I have a manky copy of a copy of the Mk 1 users handbook which I can try scanning if it is of any use to you.

Dear Jenki,

I did sign up to this forum too, it seems a little light on activity.

I have a very small guide on this lathe, any additional information could be helpful - that's genuinely appreciated.

Regards
ANDREW

 

[jenki]

Dear Jenki,

I did sign up to this forum too, it seems a little light on activity.

I have a very small guide on this lathe, any additional information could be helpful - that's genuinely appreciated.

Regards
ANDREW

Hi Andrew, I will try to scan it in the next week or so Keith

 

[adchesney]

Dear Folks,

I have taken some photos of the motor (single phase) and the two boxes at the rear of the lathe. Oh my the control box (whatever that is used for), has relays, etc!!. I wonder if I need to use this, or if this is for a three-phase input?

I just wonder what the general view is: (1) use existing controls or (2) bypass and re-wire? I am concerned if this control, panel NEEDS to be used for the electro-magnetic clutch, any ideas?


Regards

ANDREW

 

[Pete.]

Hard to say what is going on there Andrew. The contactors are typically fwd rev setup. There's a transformer and rectifier in the rusty box which produces low voltage DC, I could only guess at the purpose could be a supy for a DC component or a DC injection brake to slow the motor down quickly.
It would be very useful if someone had a schematic or even could describe the standard setup. Otherwise all you're getting is best-guesses.

 

[Pete.]

Ok now I've got home and looking at it on the big screen, THIS tells us that the machne was originally 3 phase 415v. It's inconceivable that they would have put a single phase motor in it so the motor is definitely non-original.

The big question is what was the DC used for? You say that it has (or had) electromagnetic clutches for fwd/rev it would be nice to see what form they take. If there are no such clutches, then this would possibly have been a DC injection brake for the original motor. Small 3 phase motors can usually be reversed instantly but the DC might have been applied to bring it to a stop quickly.

 

[prepman]

Dear Folks, UPDATE

I picked up the lathe on Wednesday, and this is what I've now got (see attached).

My list of jobs: 1. clean and lubricate; 2. re-wire as there are no cables wired in; 3. work out what the boxes at rear of lathe do.

Any advice or tips appreciated.
View attachment 328960View attachment 328961View attachment 328962View attachment 328963View attachment 328964View attachment 328965View attachment 328966View attachment 328967View attachment 328968
Kindest regards
ANDREW View attachment 328969

You're in a win-win situation. Plus it looks like a sparkplug socket with the yellow tee-bar (I used to have one), which'll be handy on winter starts?

 

[adchesney]

Ok now I've got home and looking at it on the big screen, THIS tells us that the machne was originally 3 phase 415v. It's inconceivable that they would have put a single phase motor in it so the motor is definitely non-original.

View attachment 329508

The big question is what was the DC used for? You say that it has (or had) electromagnetic clutches for fwd/rev it would be nice to see what form they take. If there are no such clutches, then this would possibly have been a DC injection brake for the original motor. Small 3 phase motors can usually be reversed instantly but the DC might have been applied to bring it to a stop quickly.

Dear Pete,

So I guess the BIG question, is how do I rewire to activate the EM-Clutch and Fwd/Rev. I wonder what the box next to the rusty one does? The speed control is variable pulley system, controlled by a lever on the box of the gearbox housing.

THANK YOU for you help.

ANDREW

 

[adchesney]

You're in a win-win situation. Plus it looks like a sparkplug socket with the yellow tee-bar (I used to have one), which'll be handy on winter starts?

Yep, a complete random set of things - I wonder if I can adapt it to be a chuck key?

 

[Pete.]

Ok so the clutches are fast and slow. They both drive the spindle the same way but at different ratios so the reversing must be done by the motor. No clue from the pic as to how they are engaged though.

 

[adchesney]

View attachment 329514

Ok so the clutches are fast and slow. They both drive the spindle the same way but at different ratios so the reversing must be done by the motor. No clue from the pic as to how they are engaged though.

#me too??

 

[adchesney]

A member of an engineering forum came and visited this week, he said "I have now seen this machine, very clever ! 3/4hp motor with variable speed pulleys feeding 2 electro clutches, giving stepless speeds of 85 to 1750. 24v dc for the clutches. The mandrel has a lever operated collet chuck. The cross slide has 4 stops, 4 way tool post and rear tool post for parting off. The saddle has 4 stops. The capstan is six station and driven off an auxilliary shaft via change wheels. Built for Small production work, a fascinating machine. Noel."

He gave me some confidence in getting this lathe up and running. I'm busy for a couple of weeks on other matters, but will then get the paraffin, rags and WD40 out to fully clean this up.

It will need re-wiring, as it has been somewhat molested.

It would be ideal to restore the paintwork too - I enjoy the "journey" of restoration.

Regards

ANDREW

 

[adchesney]

That would be Noel Shelley from the model engineering forum? There are a few more comments on the Raglan forum, too.

Indeed, and what a great man he is!

 

[samtrust]

Dear Pete,

Thank you for your advice. Looks like a new wiring plan needs to be implemented :-) One concern I have is the clutch system is electro-magnetic, so needs power too, I was wondering if this is "linked" to motor or separate feed?

I'll take photos, and seek collective advice here.

Personally, a very big THANK YOU to all the members for their help to this newbie.

ANDREW

 

[samtrust]

I've had my Ragland for a few year's now, the Igranic control on mine is separate from the three phase motor.
My brother god bless him rewired the whole machine for me.
I have purchased 2 set's of cabon brushes for the Igranic control don't remember where from and a new drive belt at the moment it runs on a Clark three phase converter,
Orded a VFD to run the 1HP Motor.