What to do with this..

[brendan stemp]

I have been offered this old copy lathe. The owner is prepared to give it to me, I just need to restore it. I wouldn't know where to start. Any thoughts??

[chambezio]

Don't let go for scrap!!!!!!!

[doug3030]

Hi Brendan,

Normally in a case like this I would tell you that it is no good and that you should send it to me so that I can dispose of it properly and safely, so nobody will get injured, followed by the appropriate smiley :D of course.

In this case I am going to say that you are all on your own. I don't have a clue either, but it does look like a worthwhile project and probably one that should be taken for the sake of preserving a part of our heritage. I hope that someone can offer you advice or assistance.

[Sturdee]

Maybe would be interested. He's collected and restored a lot of old lathes.


Peter.

[Paul39]

If you need a good stout lathe, take it and remove everything but a big head and tail stock and the bed. I think I see two head and tail stocks. Edit: I see 3 tail stocks. I don't see a bed buried in all that stuff. It may be a purpose build machine to make only one size object - forty eleven thousand table legs a year.

Save all the rotating parts to use or sell, and recycle the big heavy stuff. Steel / cast iron is bought at 9 cents a pound here at the moment.

I think the way those worked was the blank was held between centers turning slowly, and a series of knives ground to make a shape turning rapidly was brought up and away from the blank.

Very much like a molding cutter.

[Mobyturns]

Brendan well worth saving but whether you have the commitment and time available to preserve and restore it is the real question? Maybe a historical village or machinery preservation society may be interested in a co-op venture. They restore it you demo on it regularly??

[hughie]

Brendan these sort of things are a labour of love, if theres no love its penal servitude.

Big task that will take some time and quite often its not as bad as it first appears. For me its the sort of task that I go back to as a break from the turning as a lot of the work will be mundane so I use it as thinking time.

[Mulgabill]

Brendan these sort of things are a labour of love, if theres no love its penal servitude...

Agree with Hughie. It would be a good project if you 1. can be sure that all the parts are available, 2. have the time to commit to the restoration and 3. have the available equipment to repair etc.

[powderpost]

Agree with Hughie. It would be a good project if you 1. can be sure that all the parts are available, 2. have the time to commit to the restoration and 3. have the available equipment to repair etc.

I agree with this.
Jim

[wheelinround]

Brendan many machines like this end up as scrap sold back to us as Chinese tools or auto's is this what you want to see happen to a piece of industrial history? I wouldn't.

As the others have said but I will add.

it takes time, space, and lost of man hours would it be worth it in the end of course look at all the things we have restored around these days I have never seen one of these yet.

Get it under cover, maybe ask for a few others to come into help. As for parts the forum has many a fine engineer machinist's whom may be able to help or it could lead you down another path.

Good luck with it.

[issatree]

Hi Brendan,
I'm with the others, & that is, have a go at Restoration.
By the looks it was a very good machine.
If you just look at the Lock Off Handles, they are very well made.
A 22 Gall. Plastic Drum of Vinegar & Water, not full of course, throw the parts in, leave for a couple of weeks, clean off with high pressure, & they should come up pretty good.

[brendan stemp]

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I will bring it home. I have space for it, but not sure about the time to restore it. Perhaps I will try to employ the services of others around the district. I keep you posted.

[Hardenfast]

Any update on this project Brendan? Did you end up bringing it home? I would be interested in it if you're not inclined to anything with it. I followed up on this thread after referral from a few other forumites.

Wayne

[brendan stemp]

Any update on this project Brendan? Did you end up bringing it home? I would be interested in it if you're not inclined to anything with it. I followed up on this thread after referral from a few other forumites.

Wayne

G'day Wayne,
I did get it hime and I started on the restoration but the project has stalled badly. I just can't find the time to dedicate to it. It is now taking up good space in my workshop. I will be putting it outside undercove.
It is in remarkably good condition with the rust being mainly superficial. Beautifully made machine.
I think I will keep it for a future project so I am reluctant to part with it right now. I would love to see it going but it will have to wait.

[DSEL74]

I love old machinery and recommend more people get in on the restoration program. Auscab has posted a video in a thread called Goldie in the antique machinery section of the forum, I believe it is a similar piece.

[specialist]

That's one awesome machine, one that I would like to see working.

[Hardenfast]

G'day Wayne,
I did get it home and I started on the restoration but the project has stalled badly. I just can't find the time to dedicate to it. It is now taking up good space in my workshop. I will be putting it outside undercove.
It is in remarkably good condition with the rust being mainly superficial. Beautifully made machine.
I think I will keep it for a future project so I am reluctant to part with it right now. I would love to see it going but it will have to wait.

Fair enough Brendan. It's probably one of those projects which can afford to wait until the time & inspiration is right - especially now that you've invested in transporting it. It's quite a big unit, isn't it? Nice to see that you have a big shed with a few spare corners.

Anyway, if ever the enthusiasm wanes..... you know where I am.

Wayne