Elliott OMNISPEED lathe

[Smouser]

Thanks for checking for me - I'm really sorry for the part falling off and breaking Will you be trying to fix it?
That being said thanks for the pics - they really help and I have an idea how I can machine a new part for mine.
Thank you once again I really appreciate it!
Looking forward to the assembly pics

No worries. It was my own fault.

Not too sure how I will fix it. It is such a small piece that broke off.

I am actually tempted to just glue it in place or leave it as is. The bolt seems to keep the little piece in place. Maybe I could use some epoxy metal, not sure if it will hold up

Trying to weld that little piece will end up taking hours with cleanup, re drilling of the hole etc.

 

[Pawcu]

I think in this case epoxy would be enough - maybe drill some holes into the casting of both pieces so the epoxy has somewhere to flow into and hold?
Also I've heard that the best expoxy is not the quick working epoxy, but the ones which takes 24hrs or more to cure as the longer curing time normally makes them stronger and tougher... haven't tried it yet (I only have tthe quick working epoxy) but worth a shot?
I would assume that piece is cast iron, which would mean you need to braze it not weld it right?

 

[Smouser]

I have had a few hectic days since picking up that stuff from the auction. My better half was not impressed at ALL with all the extra treasures I brought home.
I had to clear the drive as quickly as possible. The Startrite saw I took the local metal recycling place for scrap after taking all the useful parts off it. To ease lifting and transportation, I cut it in half with a grinder and reciprocating saw.
The Startrite parts were then cleaned up a little and listed so they can sell and get out of the way!

As you can see, it was carnage on the drive!

The J&S grinder I managed to squeeze into the garage and the Brierley drill grinder I took to my brother-in-law to store in his garage.
Back to the Omnispeed.
@RobCox recently sent me some photos of things he coated with cold blue. I was pretty impressed so I also got a bottle of the stuff.

Just like electroplating things with nickel, the cleaner the part, the better the result. However, as I was short on time, I did not spend hours and hours cleaning things up to perfection but I still got good results.
A few bolts from the Omnispeed that were rusty that I cleaned up as a test.

This is how they looked after the cold blueing.

Much better!
While I had a solution I also blued a few other parts.

The first biggish job of the reassembly was the apron feedbox. I carried it over to the lathe from the 'paint gazebo' and rested it on a piece of wooden plank.

Next was the fun part, lifting the pretty heavy apron feedbox, while holding it up AND tightening the bolts from above. In the end, I held the box up with my hands and arms and tightened the bolts with my teeth.
After all that commotion, I finally got some help with the easy bits!
My lad fitting the feed engagement lever assembly.

 

[Smouser]

The next job was a little easier. Refitted the gears, pulley and guard (for some reason the red paint looks very pink in this photo).

If you can remember, a while back I had some new signs printed (post 59). It was time to get them mounted.

As I had two signs or plates with slightly different colours, I had to choose which one I was going to fit. I decided on double-sided tape to hold them in place.

As I could not decide which one to mount, so both got mounted.

The brake bracket, cable and pedal were next.

I once again had some help when fitting the backsplash.

At some point, I also filled the gearbox with oil and I was greeted with an oil patch on the floor. Not good.
I traced it to the new oil sight glass I fitted. No time like the present, get it fixed. Out with the oil.

A little bit of RTV around the sight glass and I refitted it. So far, so good.

I then refitted the tailstock (I forgot how heavy it was).
Here are a few photos of the lathe as it stands now.

I can finally say I have done the majority of the work and in theory it should be downhill from here. However, there are still loads to do.
• I have not touched the motor or electrics/wiring yet.
• The chuck will need cleaning and refitting
• I need to get replacement plastic bits for the handwheels
• The gear cover sits a bit wonky at the bottom
• I need to sort out some levelling feet
• I need to make/get my mate to 3d print some way covers/wipers
Plus a few other jobs I could not think about now.

 

[Pawcu]

Wow that looks like some real great progress! And it came looking spiffy as well
What are you planning to do the way wipers out of? I've heard multiple debates between rubber and felt and cannot make up my mind yet xD
I'm impressed you managed to fit the apron feedbox by yourself xD
I barely managed to get it down safely... might have to call a friend over to help to fit it xD
Congrats!

 

[Smouser]

Wow that looks like some real great progress! And it came looking spiffy as well
What are you planning to do the way wipers out of? I've heard multiple debates between rubber and felt and cannot make up my mind yet xD
Congrats!

Thank you very much.

I have got felt and I have got rubber. What about a combination if the two?

Felt to keep the oil on the ways and rubner to wipe the chips away.

I think I will go for some felt then rubber then some sort of rigid cover (mild steel, aluminium, 3D printed plastic).

The first priority is to sort the motor/motor mount and electrics. I would love to see the machine actually run.

Because I have not completely stripped the various gearboxes and some dirt/grime/paint flakes/rust are probably still in there, I will do an oil change of all the boxes after a few hours running.

I am away from home for a bit so everything is on hold until I get back.

 

[minimutly]

The next job was a little easier. Refitted the gears, pulley and guard (for some reason the red paint looks very pink in this photo).

View attachment 413255

If you can remember, a while back I had some new signs printed (post 59). It was time to get them mounted.

As I had two signs or plates with slightly different colours, I had to choose which one I was going to fit. I decided on double-sided tape to hold them in place.

View attachment 413257

As I could not decide which one to mount, so both got mounted.
View attachment 413258

The brake bracket, cable and pedal were next.

View attachment 413261

I once again had some help when fitting the backsplash.

View attachment 413264

At some point, I also filled the gearbox with oil and I was greeted with an oil patch on the floor. Not good.
I traced it to the new oil sight glass I fitted. No time like the present, get it fixed. Out with the oil.

View attachment 413265

A little bit of RTV around the sight glass and I refitted it. So far, so good.

I then refitted the tailstock (I forgot how heavy it was).
Here are a few photos of the lathe as it stands now.

View attachment 413269

View attachment 413270

View attachment 413273

View attachment 413274
I can finally say I have done the majority of the work and in theory it should be downhill from here. However, there are still loads to do.
• I have not touched the motor or electrics/wiring yet.
• The chuck will need cleaning and refitting
• I need to get replacement plastic bits for the handwheels
• The gear cover sits a bit wonky at the bottom
• I need to sort out some levelling feet
• I need to make/get my mate to 3d print some way covers/wipers
Plus a few other jobs I could not think about now.

Damn good job there!

 

[Pawcu]

Thank you very much.

I have got felt and I have got rubber. What about a combination if the two?

Felt to keep the oil on the ways and rubner to wipe the chips away.

I think I will go for some felt then rubber then some sort of rigid cover (mild steel, aluminium, 3D printed plastic).

The first priority is to sort the motor/motor mount and electrics. I would love to see the machine actually run.

Because I have not completely stripped the various gearboxes and some dirt/grime/paint flakes/rust are probably still in there, I will do an oil change of all the boxes after a few hours running.

I am away from home for a bit so everything is on hold until I get back.

That could actuallly work - and potentially leave the rubber a bit higher up so it doesnt completely wipe the oil off the ways?
I was planning to print the way wiper covers... I think it would be easier and cleaner than trying to mill it out of aluminium... hopefully it would hold up as I can only print PLA at the moment.
I think I will take your approach as well to replace the oil after a few hours or so... I did notice when I opened up the feedbox agaiin that the oil hhad a slight black tint to it already... which is strange considering I cleaned everything (apart from some needle bearing i couldnt get out)
Thank you for all the pictures and tips

 

[Smouser]

That could actuallly work - and potentially leave the rubber a bit higher up so it doesnt completely wipe the oil off the ways?
I was planning to print the way wiper covers... I think it would be easier and cleaner than trying to mill it out of aluminium... hopefully it would hold up as I can only print PLA at the moment.
I think I will take your approach as well to replace the oil after a few hours or so... I did notice when I opened up the feedbox agaiin that the oil hhad a slight black tint to it already... which is strange considering I cleaned everything (apart from some needle bearing i couldnt get out)
Thank you for all the pictures and tips

Well, don't just sit there!
Get the way wiper covers drawn up and send the files over!

I can then have a friend print them for me. As you say, it will be hard work/time intensive to make them on a mill. Especially for me, I will probably mess it up the first few times.

 

[Pawcu]

Well, don't just sit there!
Get the way wiper covers drawn up and send the files over!

I can then have a friend print them for me. As you say, it will be hard work/time intensive to make them on a mill. Especially for me, I will probably mess it up the first few times.

I want to get to it eventually but currently in the process of dismantling the apron feedbox - mine is a bit of a worse shape so I have to take it all apart to clean it
I'll try and jump on them when i want a break from the cleaning if you're willing to wait xD

 

[Smouser]

I want to get to it eventually but currently in the process of dismantling the apron feedbox - mine is a bit of a worse shape so I have to take it all apart to clean it
I'll try and jump on them when i want a break from the cleaning if you're willing to wait xD

That will be great!

I am not in an immediate rush, I have plenty to get on with.

If you take yours all apart it will be much better than mine when it is done! I just could not justify the time to take it all apart when mine was not strictly necessary to take apart.

Good luck with the cleaning!

 

[Martin Hocking]

Absolutely top work!
A noticeable up turn in productivity now the kids summer holidays has meant you’re lad can get back to project management!
Really inspiring stuff smouser and peace keep it up!

 

[Martin Hocking]

*Sorry auto correct peace should read pawcu above….

 

[martin62]

What model Starrett band saw did you get as I might need a few parts

 

[Smouser]

What model Starrett band saw did you get as I might need a few parts

It was a Startrite 18-V-10 and the parts sold like hot cakes on ebay. Never seen anything like it. Should have listed it for more I guess.

 

[Pawcu]

That will be great!

I am not in an immediate rush, I have plenty to get on with.

If you take yours all apart it will be much better than mine when it is done! I just could not justify the time to take it all apart when mine was not strictly necessary to take apart.

Good luck with the cleaning!

Thanks hehe yeah yours seemed in much better condition so I would have done the same if I were in your position xD
Btw what type of felt and rubber do you have? Like thickness etc? Cause I still need to buy mine xD

 

[martin62]

No problem

 

[Smouser]

Thanks hehe yeah yours seemed in much better condition so I would have done the same if I were in your position xD
Btw what type of felt and rubber do you have? Like thickness etc? Cause I still need to buy mine xD

Nothing special. Some random felt from ebay at one time and the same with the rubber sheets (I have got some various thickness rubber). Bought for other purposes and also my milling machine and they seem to work fine.

I may have done a post on my Elliott TV2 milling machine thread but I can't remember.

I guess anything will be better than nothing anyway.

 

[Pawcu]

Nothing special. Some random felt from ebay at one time and the same with the rubber sheets (I have got some various thickness rubber). Bought for other purposes and also my milling machine and they seem to work fine.

I may have done a post on my Elliott TV2 milling machine thread but I can't remember.

I guess anything will be better than nothing anyway.

Ok thanks - i'll do some googling around for some material and see what I can find
I'll try and see if I can manage to get some sketches going this weekend but don't want to promise anything yet.
Also love your truck as well :P The front bumper is amazing and i cannot believe it managed to carry a mill on the back xD
Noice!

 

[addjunkie]

Looking really good. Nows a good time to fit a DRO before you put it in its final resting place