New lathe due diligence.

[L.Sherm]

I wouldn't mind either but you can spend alot of money driving somewhere along ways away just to find out it was a piece of junk.

 

[L.Sherm]

Its a gamble I suppose

 

[Shrek]

All part of the fun and adventure. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

[Changeling]

All part of the fun and adventure. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Hi Dave, just for your information, your local college might have a course on lathe's.
Also keep an eye out for businesses and personal auctions, I've made some awesome deals at those, especially estate auctions. They are usually in local papers.

Oh, some local papers and fliers have free want adds section, wouldn't hurt to put your needs in them, you never know!
Good luck with the lathe.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ive bought a bunch of old american lathes and have never had to work on em. With a new chicom lathe youll be replacing motors, controls, switches, chucks- ive had to work on chicom lathes way more than anerican stuff so cant use that anymore

 

[Shrek]

What are good sources for tools other than ebay ? What is recommended for mounts and indicators for dialing in barrels and actions ? I've already got B&S 6" Dial calipers and Mitutoyo 1" micrometer. I already know I like top quality measuring tools so it will all be B&S , Mitutoyo , Starratt , ect. Ebay has been my friend so far.
What do I need for the back of the spindle for dialing the barrel in at the rear ?

 

[Shrek]

For the professional smiths , what accuracy of indicators are you using ? ? 001 , .0005 , or .0001 ? Which style ? Maybe I could get you to post a picture of the mount and style you are using.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I use a bunch of different ones- test indicators and dial indicators. You need a few of each. Watch ebay and get plenty of different mag bases

 

[riflewoman]

To "dial in" you need a .0005 dial test indicator. You also need a magnetic stand for it.

 

[Shrek]

I have a Mitutoyo 2776F which has been replaced with the 2776S that I use on my runout check stand. I've been very happy with it and will probably buy two more and some stands. Any recommendations on stand types ? Are you buying roller tips for the stems ?

 

[Steelnecktie]

I have a few different kinds, but my everyday go to favorites are the NOGA mag bases with micro adjust.
I love my Mitutoyos, but Interapid .0005 with 2.75" contact point is very nice.
You'll also need a depth mic. Mitutoyo for me.

 

[hogpatrol]

What are good sources for tools other than ebay ? What is recommended for mounts and indicators for dialing in barrels and actions ? I've already got B&S 6" Dial calipers and Mitutoyo 1" micrometer. I already know I like top quality measuring tools so it will all be B&S , Mitutoyo , Starratt , ect. Ebay has been my friend so far.
What do I need for the back of the spindle for dialing the barrel in at the rear ?

Visit some local shops and see if there are any guys close to retirement, check Craig's list and ebay. Watch for trade and hobby shows. York, PA had a good one for finding tooling at reasonable cost. In my neck of the woods with manufacturing going down hill, for a few years there was so much on the market, it couldn't be given away.
A friend of mine was buying lathes and tooling every couple weeks from locals and reselling it on ebay. With baby boomer machinists retiring and manufacturing being offshored, I suspect there will be a considerable amount of measuring equipment and tooling coming on the market.

 

[shortgrass]

I think you need to clean that thing up, replace the belts, get it set properly, check out the headstock and apron gear box and replace the lub in those, make sure the power feeds and threading work like they should, take the time to line-up the tailstock to the headstock, get a decent tool post & holders and make sure that drill chuck and the shank its mounted on are worth using and then make a few simple things before investing in a bunch of measuring tools. I suspect you'll need that lug wrench I see in the pic. Looks to me like there's a lot to be done there before even considering any serious work. Friday, UPS delivered my order of 15 Hart barrels if you need any...

 

[Shrek]

I agree Shortgrass. I'm on my way now to pick it up. I didn't see any of the measuring tools but they have to be there so I'll see what is there to buy. I'll order the tools anyway because even if I ended up parting this out the project will go on.

 

[Shrek]

I think I've done well. I found an 8" 4 jaw chuck and 8" backplate , 5" 3 jaw that fits the 5c nose with a threaded adapter , a half dozen 5c collets , the closer and wrench , a half dozen lantern bits , a turrent tool holder for the slide and one for the tail stock , assorted bits and centers , the 3 jaw scroll chuck installed , and a no. 34 Jacobs chuck for the tail stock. Gears look good . Bed has no noticeable wear but there is a dusting of rust on it. Cross slide is tight with dried oil and slight rust spots but otherwise seem to be in good working order. Except on the ways the brown is mostly dried oil and grease. Quill? I think is the term has no play and when extended shows no wear. Gears in the tread box look good too. If the bearings and the ways are good I think I've made out but if either needs scraped or bearings replaced it's going to hurt. Belts are shot ! It doesn't look to have been used in years.

 

[Shrek]

A few more of the less pretty parts.

 

[Shrek]

It was quite a haul at this estate sale ! Three guys getting it out of the basement the lathe and the rest were in but it was just me back at the house. It was an arse whipping getting it into the garage !

 

[Steelnecktie]

John at leather drive belts will get you going with new belts. Super guy to deal with, best in business
http://www.leatherdrivebelts.com/

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Clean that rig with kerosene and itll shine like new and not rust

 

[Shrek]

I'm going to get a couple gallons of kerosene tomorrow after work and get to cleaning. Some Kroil for getting the slides freed up and order a flat belt and pick up a 390 v belt. I measured the flat belt at 40.5" but I'm not sure if that's what I should order or if the old belt is stretched and the new one should be shorter. If anyone has one of these machines and knows the correct lenght please let me know.
There was a copy of the 56th edition of How to Run a Lathe included in the box along with a clean Starrat No.120 dial calipers and a couple of vernier calipers. The 4 jaw being there means an Interapid 312B-3 will be ordered this week along with a magnetic holder for it.
Recommend oil for the head and way oil ?