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  1. #1
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    Default Colchester Chipmaster thread engagement lever problem

    Anybody with a chippy had issues with the thread cutting lever?

    i have cleaned my chippy up and gave it a run. Seems pretty quiet. Took a couple of test cuts (whilst still on rollers) and seems okay, I only have one chipped carbide tool ATM and the finish is avergae.

    But I can't get the thread cutting lever to engage, it moves a little and the clasp nut moves but won't all the way. I have undone the grub screw were the indent ball goes and it was gunked, I cleaned up the spring and sprayed wd40 in the hole but didnt remove the ball. Looking at the manual looks like if I can get the ball out the lever should come out to? Which will be my next step unless somebody advises otherwise.

    i really don't want to remove the saddle ATM and looking at the drawings it looks like it is possible to remove the lead screw and clasp nut without doing so?

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  3. #2
    Dave J Guest

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    If it's anything like my lathe, make sure the feed lever is not engaged at all otherwise the thread lever wont engage as a safety.

    Dave

  4. #3
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    Default

    Yeah thanks Dave. I should have added that I have tried all combinations of that too. Looking at the drawing there doesn't seem to be any connection between the two which is strange because most later lathes are as you explained.

  5. #4
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    Default

    Drawing as discussed. Dave looking again there appears to be a interlock pin. I will investigate this next time Iam in the shed.

    .image.jpgimage.jpg

  6. #5
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    Jul 2008
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    Default MEW article

    Hi I have a chippy. I have a article by a guy in the UK who rebuilt a chippy , he junked the variator and fitted a VFD to the original motor ..he writes , it works very well .Ive noticed the half nut is only a " half nut " , and not a two piece nut like a normal lathe has . I am pretty sure there is a lockout mechanism to prevent the nut closing while the power feed is engaged . Your problem is likely to be just a maintenance thing, it needs a good clean Mike

  7. #6
    Dave J Guest

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    If it's like my lathe you can undo the bolts on top and take out the taper pins securing the saddle to the apron, then you might be able to slide the apron side ways a bit to see in there.
    At least this way you don't have to take it all apart.

    Dave

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by achjimmy View Post
    i really don't want to remove the saddle ATM and looking at the drawings it looks like it is possible to remove the lead screw and clasp nut without doing so?
    Removing the apron is easy. You unbolt the RHS end bearing block then drop the saddle by removing the SHCS in the top of the saddle. Move the whole thing rearwards and the shafts disengage from the stub shafts in the g/box. No pins etc to drive out or get lost. I did mine some years ago when I made a new pinion gear & shaft.

    I can't see why the nut wouldn't engage but I am assuming the leadscrew was actually rotating when you tried, or if not (power off) you rocked the carriage back & forward a bit to get the nut to drop in on the screw.

    PDW

  9. #8
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    Nov 2012
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    Blue Mtns
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    Default

    Thanks all

    morrisman I think the half "half nut " is quite common on colchesters. Personally have my own opinions as to why its good and bad. The variator seems quiet and to work okay, and Iam happy to keep it. Was a little concerned at first because I hadn't brought the start lever fully over and it sped up then slowed!

    PDW that's good to know. Yes I tried it running, the lever moves a bit and so does the half nut, just not enough to engage. Thinking more about it, Iam betting its in that interlock?

  10. #9
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    Default

    Had a quick look this morning before proceeding with the shed cleanup

    Doesn't look like the half nut would come out without stripping the saddle. Will have one more fiddle with the detent etc then just leave it. I really don't want to go stripping it now as I am notorious for starting to overhaul everything once I start and it taking ages. I will wait till I get the Victor home and then if there is any bushes etc to make I can do it and get the chippy back together ASAP.

  11. #10
    Dave J Guest

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    I know what you mean there, I do the same thing of turning a small job into a huge one, LOL

    Dave

  12. #11
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    Default

    It's the feed lever and/or interlock. The interlock plunger protrudes below, when you start to lift the feed lever the plunger first drops before lifting. When in this "drop" state you can engage the half nut. The interlock that protrudes also has a 3/16BSW in it. I put a tap in there and if you pull it down it allows engagement.

    For now if I need to thread I will hold the interlock down with a 3/16 cap screw and washer. And remove afterwards.
    pthe good news is when the half nuts engaged there appears to very little lead screw/nut play.

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