Show us your lathe

Norm · May 1, 2012

Following a comment by wedg1e in mattf's lathe wick oilers post, I thought a show us your lathe thread was a great idea.
So heres mine, an old 3.5" vintage grayson bought in a moment of madness when I was in "I need a new toy mode" you know how it is :whistle:

I am still in the process of setting it up and working out how to sort out a drive train. I have no idea how to use it or what I am going to do with it :ashamed:

but it seemed like a good idea at the time :laughing:

and I am sure I am in the right place for some good advice

Norm

shenion · May 1, 2012

Here's mine:

Atlas /Craftsman 12x36" lathe (12" swing diameter.)

1/2HP 3-phase motor powered by a Toshiba VFD. Came with 2 chucks, QCTP, milling attachment, steady rest, ball turning jig and a metal stand.

It is 70-years young

. Needed minor maintenance of a few bearings and cleanup of sliding ways. Now used a few times a month.

Here's my previous mistakes I was glad to get rid of:

Sherline 4000. Too small, too weak to do anything I needed.

Craftsman 109 Lathe. Probably one of the sloppiest lathes ever made. 1/2" spindle was just too weak and most have bent ones. Spent a year adding improvements like a better cross slide that had a graduated dial (old was 24 TPI) and mods to reduce carriage slop.

Norm · May 1, 2012

shenion said:
Here's mine:

It is 70-years young .

Hope I look that good when I'm 70 :cool:

Norm

chunkolini · May 1, 2012

Gorgeous things lathes.
I have dim memories of using one at school and wondering at the power it seemd to posess.
Dont have one myself, but would love one.
I will try and get a photo of Big Bill James' lathe. A real beast of a thing.

Qwertyco · May 1, 2012

Mine's an early 1950's ZYTO.
Bought it last year off an older relative who bought it new!
He made a hefty profit on the deal!
Pics to follow.

PS. anyone know where to buy 3/4" wide flat drive belt material from?

Furry Freak · May 1, 2012

Here's mine. I got a miller at the same time. Between them I am having more fun than is legal. Learning all the time, but managed to make some useful stuff already. Between these, the MIG, plasma and a new press, I should be able to make just about anything. Shame I am limited by my own ability and not my imagination.

FF

ford34/2 · May 1, 2012

flat belts

can you not just use a car toothed timming belt, inside out,
Or ask ::
Northumbrian Bearings
Unit 54a, South Nelson Road, South Nelson Industrial Estate
Cramlington
NE23 1WF

01670 732299

I`ll be very dissapointed if they do not help, or try Brammer UK, a lot of Kity machinery used a flat belt to drive as well
Stan

Water skier 16 · May 1, 2012

flat belts

you could try http://www.stationaryengineparts.com/home.php although it isnt listed on their website might be worth sending them and email/ calling them because they may be able to order it in.
James

shenion · May 1, 2012

Timing belt sounds good but i think a serpentine belt on backwards would be better as it is designed to run on both the inside and outside.

500e · May 1, 2012

http://www.lathes.co.uk/page4.html
Flat belt from 2mm any length endless or joiner

tab · May 1, 2012

heres mine, colchester triumph 2000 50" bed, cleared up the cuttings now though :laughing:

madkayaker · May 1, 2012

Same as what I use at work and there a fantastic lathe

Dev · May 1, 2012

There's one on gumtree for £2300...

madkayaker · May 1, 2012

If you had 2300 to spend on a lathe you could do much worse

MattF · May 1, 2012

Norm said:
So heres mine, an old 3.5" vintage grayson

Pretty much the same one here. The Warwick's were rebadged Grayson's, if I recall correctly. This is mine minus the topslide and such.

I am still in the process of setting it up and working out how to sort out a drive train.

If you need any pictures of this one showing specific parts, give me a shout.

MattF · May 1, 2012

Qwertyco said:
PS. anyone know where to buy 3/4" wide flat drive belt material from?

Search Ebay for 'Balata belt', or try a local tack shop for genuine leather.

Norm · May 1, 2012

cheers matt, I have a drive motor and a shaft with pulleys but need to fabricate an adjustable bracket so I can fit the belts and change speeds, I also have a box full of gears which I need to work out how to fit, Its a bit like a big meccano set a the moment :laughing:

I may need some help.
Norm

MattF · May 1, 2012

This is the Warwick bench mount countershaft unit. Quite tidily designed and simple in use for slipping belts over for different speeds.

That bolt down the bottom adjusts the tension. This is the gear setup:

Sanny · May 1, 2012

Here is my Grayson

It's all back together now and working :clapping:

Here is what it looked like before i got my paint brush on it

would love something more modern but its just a toy to fill the shed :whistle:

Norm · May 1, 2012

Cheers matt, thats really useful, tidy design on that bench mount. Nice work sanny any pics of the completed job ?.
Norm

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