Thread: RS3000 a Thompson-Oram designed Ornamental Turning Device circa 1995

I think it was about $700 US dollars when it sold, I also believe at onetime Sorby was selling them, but that is a very old guess from memory. The only other info I have is this. http://aawcontentsource.org/aaw_cs1_...1204p32-33.pdf

Moby I saw your post on the full lot last night and did a search as well as checked out Sorbys sight I can't see it listed on there. Nor n the Youtube channel. I downloaded info and possibly video on it back then but atm can't locate either in the vast archive.
As you know I am keen on all things OT and maybe very interested in the unit IF its at the right price and i can find the info on it.
I spotted an old UKebay sale

Wheelinround, as far as I know Sorby hasn't had it listed since the late 1990's. Hopefully I will have some photos of the unit tomorrow. I will post details of where it is listed for sale, still sorting a few matters with the family.

Dogcatcher, thank you for the info. I had already found the pdf on the AAW site.

Just found the Patent Ornamental turning device

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Just found the Patent Ornamental turning device

I have also found that. The device as marketed by Robert Sorby in the 1880's is slightly different. There is also a write up in the AAW Journal #1204 on p32-33. If you aren't a member of the AAW drop me a PM
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RS3000-OTD-1B.jpgRS3000-OTD-1A.jpgRS3000-OTD-1D.jpg

This post is for technical information only!

Now here is a bit of woodturning history that I though to be a very unlikely find in Townsville FNQ. Its a Robert Sorby RS3000 Ornamental Turning Device. Designed by Martin Thompson-Oram and marketed by Sorby in the mid 1990's for just a couple of years.

The device is quite unique as an ornamental turner as the work piece rotates and the cutter reciprocates back and forth at high speed to create the patterns.

A magnet attached to the lathe spindle acts as a reference for a sensor and the micro processer controls the cutter in accordance with user defined parameters for, the pattern, number of elements to the pattern, from 6 to 24, the pattern offset and length of cutter stroke. The user controls the alignment and placement of the cutter "frame."

The cutter is actuated by a solenoid controlled by the microprocessor. In the photo from top left - box of cutters; the cutter assy / solenoid plus spiral lead ; tool post with hose clamp height stop; cutter frame that fits to a horizontal flat plate tool rest which is missing (similar to a Sorby modular tool rest box platform); various tool posts; power leads and sensor plus lead; and the microprocessor unit.

To my surprise the unit is fully operational as I had set it all up, set the parameters, then turned on the lathe at a belt setting of 570rpm ( Nova 3000 8 speed lathe). The reciprocating cutter works, but I could not make any trial cuts due the missing flat cutter tool rest. The missing item is merely a flat plate with one threaded hole for the modular tool posts, similar to a Sorby modular tool rest box platform.

This unit has rather captured my attention and curiosity, so Ive been doing a little research. The more research I do the more it fascinates me so I have decided to purchase it myself from the estate. Trying to establish a fair value is proving quite difficult.

After contacting three ornamental turning SIG's to find a little more about the RS3000, including an approximate value, I have drawn a blank. Seems that the RS3000's have essentially dropped off the turning radar alltogether. None of the contacts were aware of any having been resold, and even though they knew of the RS3000 they had not seen one in use. The only comparison they could offer was the Nova Ornamental Turner. Token values were offered "no more than £100" or "$50 -100 US" which converts to a range of approx $135 to 175 AUD.

It would be interesting to know how many units were manufactured, more for curiosity value than anything.

I dropped into a local engineering shop yesterday to have them manufacture the missing tool rest component for the RS3000, and to take approx 0.1mm out of the insert for a Robert Sorby Eccentric Chuck that also found its way into my tool collection. Seems the M30 shoulder on the VL150 spindle is slightly larger in diameter than the insert.When I get these back its playtime.

Looks like some serious fun to be had with this toy - enjoy !
If you ever wish to sell, you know where to come.....

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

This unit has rather captured my attention and curiosity, so Ive been doing a little research. The more research I do the more it fascinates me so I have decided to purchase it myself from the estate. Trying to establish a fair value is proving quite difficult.

After contacting three ornamental turning SIG's to find a little more about the RS3000, including an approximate value, I have drawn a blank. Seems that the RS3000's have essentially dropped off the turning radar alltogether. None of the contacts were aware of any having been resold, and even though they knew of the RS3000 they had not seen one in use. The only comparison they could offer was the Nova Ornamental Turner. Token values were offered "no more than £100" or "$50 -100 US" which converts to a range of approx $135 to 175 AUD.

It would be interesting to know how many units were manufactured, more for curiosity value than anything.

I dropped into a local engineering shop yesterday to have them manufacture the missing tool rest component for the RS3000, and to take approx 0.1mm out of the insert for a Robert Sorby Eccentric Chuck that also found its way into my tool collection. Seems the M30 shoulder on the VL150 spindle is slightly larger in diameter than the insert.When I get these back its playtime.

LOL what a fascinating toy to play with. I reckon your going to have endless fun fiddling around with this