British empire lathe

[God mode restorations]

Well I have read from first to last post over the last few days and I am astounded at you patience, skill, attention to detail and determination.

When I left school some 56 years ago my first job was with F.W.Talbot Ltd in Winchester and I remember we took some castings to a company who had an old barrel making lathe which was driven by overhead pulleys and flat belts. (I wonder what ever happened to it)

Thanks Anthony. Glad you like the thread.
Line shaft driven lathes are great. Unfortunately getting hard to come by now.

 

[God mode restorations]

Fittings are slowly going together. I didn't paint the shade bracket as it rotates on this and it would ruin the paint. So a light oil will do.

 

[God mode restorations]

Today I got the lamp arms with a top coat. Just got the steady to top now.

 

[God mode restorations]

Today's task.
Find a suitable location to put the vdf controller. Am struggling with this bit. Making brackets and fixtures ain't a problem. Its finding a good spot. Some mount them above the headstock. But mine has a cover that's high when it's open. Plus I dont want it sticking out like a sore thumb....not sure yet.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I would try and use that blanked off box. It looks perfect, there’s even a lug to drill where conduit could go.

 

[God mode restorations]

I would try and use that blanked off box. It looks perfect, there’s even a lug to drill where conduit could go.

Yes. After a study I think I could get that lot in there.

 

[God mode restorations]

Unfortunately it's not going to fit. The casing inside has a steep angle and even with the switch gear towards the bottom the wires would foul

 

[God mode restorations]

But. If I make a new panel for the front I could get it all in.

 

[Slowcoach]

Could you make a spacer just to give a bit more clearance

 

[Ton-up]

As above, make a spacer, but make it thick enough for a threaded hole for the gland and you wont have to drill the lathe and the conduit coming forward.

 

[R-D-R]

i'd definitely build it out with a collar or spacer so it looks OEM, if the collars 20mm or so you can then feed the wires through a 16mm fitting so you don't have to touch the lathe and its reversible.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I would try and use that blanked off box. It looks perfect, there’s even a lug to drill where conduit could go.

Great minds think alike.
Perfect spot for it and il be using the old switch boxes on mine for controls too.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Great minds think alike.
Perfect spot for it and il be using the old switch boxes on mine for controls too.

I scored this old beast the other day. Hard to find this old pre-war MEM gear now. I had to buy it attached to a 3ph 1hp motor, dirt cheap for both, $38. I’ll dump the innards (or maybe make a fashionable lamp out of them?) and retrofit modern gear in place of the push buttons.

Just one drawback @spencer 427 is the plaque for the feed rates goes above that gearbox doesn’t it? Will the switch mounted there interfere with your ability to read it?

 

[God mode restorations]

I scored this old beast the other day. Hard to find this old pre-war MEM gear now. I had to buy it attached to a 3ph 1hp motor, dirt cheap for both, $38. I’ll dump the innards (or maybe make a fashionable lamp out of them?) and retrofit modern gear in place of the push buttons.

Just one drawback @spencer 427 is the plaque for the feed rates goes above that gearbox doesn’t it? Will the switch mounted there interfere with your ability to read it?

I thought this. But a 20mm spacer should give enough clearance for the connections and I should still be able to read the thread chart

 

[God mode restorations]

Also been thinking about mounting it on a panel that comes up behind the lathe. Like the original. This would help if I am working on something long .

 

[Pete.]

I would not mount switches up and behind the chuck.
1. They will get splattered in oil and dirt
2. You'll have to reach past flailing swarf if the chuck picks up a bundle
3. You risk catching your clothing on the chuck whilst reaching across.

 

[God mode restorations]

I would not mount switches up and behind the chuck.
1. They will get splattered in oil and dirt
2. You'll have to reach past flailing swarf if the chuck picks up a bundle
3. You risk catching your clothing on the chuck whilst reaching across.

True..

 

[Windy Miller]

I would not mount switches up and behind the chuck.
...
3. You risk catching your clothing on the chuck whilst reaching across.

I did that once when I was an apprentice. Nearly pulled my arm off. Scary stuff

 

[God mode restorations]

I did that once when I was an apprentice. Nearly pulled my arm off. Scary stuff

Yes it is a nasty and potential hazard.

 

[God mode restorations]

The problem I have is the length of the machine. Mounting the switches in the panel isn't a problem. Problem arises if I am working middle or towards the far end of the machine. I wouldn't be able to hit the panic button if needed. If I mount the box behind the machine in the middle I am away from the chuck and can reach everything. I understand it's what works best for each individual but also must look at all safety concerns to. She is a long lathe.