Quorn salvage?

[6ply]

I have an old Quorn tool and cutter grinder in an unknown state of completeness. It looks rather sad, but cleaned up it would no doubt look much better. The motor should be scrapped but I have many suitable replacements so that's no problem.

Could someone familiar with these machines give me a rough idea of how complete it is? Is it scrap or worth saving? I'm presuming it is an early model - didn't they use home made collets? I've no extras but making a few collets in common sizes shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Seadog]

It looks complete to me.

Quorn Tool & Cutter Grinder

Long a favourite amongst model engineers - and based on the Deckel SO and SOE machines - the Quorn was designed by Professor D. H. Chaddock and available only as a kit of parts for completion at home.

www.lathes.co.uk

 

[6ply]

It looks complete to me.

Quorn Tool & Cutter Grinder

Long a favourite amongst model engineers - and based on the Deckel SO and SOE machines - the Quorn was designed by Professor D. H. Chaddock and available only as a kit of parts for completion at home.

www.lathes.co.uk

Thanks, the link has some very clear photos. Very useful.

 

[6ply]

I've started to have a probe to see what moves and what does not. This part doesn't seem to close up tight enough without risking the casting. Would it have been bored by the kit owner? There are a couple of other parts that appear excessively tight.

 

[Seadog]

They were sold as casting sets for home machining, to the best of my knowledge.

 

[m_c]

As per @Seadog they were sold as a casting kit, and there was a book detailing the machining/construction/use.

And having just looked, I actually have the book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quorn-Universal-Tool-Cutter-Grinder/dp/0905100913
It's yours for a tenner delivered if you want it, as I'm not likely to ever need it.

 

[Seadog]

You could bore and sleeve the part, if necessary.

I've started to have a probe to see what moves and what does not. This part doesn't seem to close up tight enough without risking the casting. Would it have been bored by the kit owner? There are a couple of other parts that appear excessively tight.
View attachment 388150

 

[6ply]

You could bore and sleeve the part, if necessary.

Agreed.

 

[6ply]

As per @Seadog they were sold as a casting kit, and there was a book detailing the machining/construction/use.

And having just looked, I actually have the book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quorn-Universal-Tool-Cutter-Grinder/dp/0905100913
It's yours for a tenner delivered if you want it, as I'm not likely to ever need it.

I may change my mind tomorrow but I'm tempted to say that if it is mostly complete I may just clean it up, fix a couple of bits and move it on. I've got too many projects and shortage of space to start another one.

 

[minimutly]

I might be tempted. First dibs if you are selling it, pending price of course.

 

[Agroshield]

Quorn handbook here:

The Quorn Tool & Cutter Grinder By D. H. Chaddock : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

129 pg

archive.org

Instructions here:

Quorn User Manual | PDF | Grinding (Abrasive Cutting) | Rotation

Milling machines evolved from the lathe about 100 years ago, when cutting tools were mounted on the spindle and rotated. Artificial abrasives appeared, with their better endurance of wheel form, and displaced the soft yellow sandstones previously used. No machine appeared cheap enough and small...

www.scribd.com

 

[6ply]

Quorn handbook here:

The Quorn Tool & Cutter Grinder By D. H. Chaddock : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

129 pg

archive.org

Instructions here:

Quorn User Manual | PDF | Grinding (Abrasive Cutting) | Rotation

Milling machines evolved from the lathe about 100 years ago, when cutting tools were mounted on the spindle and rotated. Artificial abrasives appeared, with their better endurance of wheel form, and displaced the soft yellow sandstones previously used. No machine appeared cheap enough and small...

www.scribd.com

Excellent, thanks.

 

[pressbrake1]

Most definitely not scrap and very very useful and versatile unlike the now trendy deckel grinder
The good professor was a genius

 

[awemawson]

Over the years I've re-built two Quorns - both were nicely made but the makers had died, and the relatives had left their workshops to deteriorate - sheds in the garden with Ivy growing in - you get the picture. One was just a case of thorough cleaning and repainting but the other one had to have new ground bars.

Well worth saving if only considering the amount of work the (amateur) maker put into making it in the first place.

In the end I didn't keep either of mine as I got a well equipped Clarkson Mk2 that copes with the slightly bigger tooling that I tend to use.

Professor (Denis) Chaddock designed and made his Quorn to build his model BRM engine which is now in the Wanless House HQ of the Society of Model & Experimental Engineers

 

[6ply]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I've had a quick look through the manual and it looks like it is mostly complete depending on what extras you would expect. If I understand correctly, it's normal for [additional] toolholders to be made depending on the sharpening tasks to be attempted, making it difficult to define what is "missing". If I had more time, space and interest I might give it a go, but as previously stated I have too many other projects and family commitments too.

Some of the fixings were seized up with light rust but are now free. The machining looks adequate, nothing special but not terrible either. Some of the parts may need to be re-bored and sleeved, but maybe not. It needs another look. I may clean it up to make it look presentable before sale, but I'm not sure when/where that will be. I'd prefer a buyer to see it in person first rather than risk complaints and/or disappointment. Looking online I'm still unsure what it is worth as there is so much variation.