Thread: Drawings of Wadkin lathe tooling?

Originally Posted by RG62

...I'm putting out the call however to anyone of the forum who has drawings of parts or the patterns (even a good set of photos from different angles would help) of the following:
Straight Toolrests (mainly interested in the cross section and how the post [round bar] connects to the cast rest I can probably work it out from there)...

This is an RU that was listed (probably on eBay UK) in 2016. I can't make out the tag numbers (other than RU 4xx). The tag style is post 1951.

Sutton-in-Ashfield UK.jpg

RU 1.jpg

RU 2.jpg

Is this the sort of thing that would help (I have more)?

Cheers, Vann.

Thanks Vann,

Yes, this sort of thing is useful. The middle picture shows that the blade of the tool rest is bolted to the casting which would be useful for having different lengths of tool rest on the same post. I'm interested in how they attached the casting to the 1.1" diameter round bar (sadly not a standard bar size any more) of the tool post. I'm postulating that they may have cast the SG iron over a machined bar with a couple of grooves in the end of it. Thoughts?
This sort of image of other tool rest geometries (Right Angle, Curved?), the free standing tool post, and the right angle banjo would be great. I've also seen a shot of holder for manual lathe chisels (attached) that is interesting.
Cheers, Richard

Hi Richard .

The tool rests should not be a problem . With the cast middle section made, the post and straight bar on top can be fabricated . I want some of those .
I think that the straight rests have two types of cast section . The two bolt and the longer three bolt . I have both . Ive taken pictures of the two bolt which is the one I'm after and looked into making a pattern but as usual I had to leave it at that. To busy to do it . The RU looks like its the same post size in diameter but is probably longer than the RS which is what I have . Id still like to make the pattern for these.
IMG_9567a.jpg IMG_9566a.jpg



The right angle tool rest . Yeah Ive only seen it online as well . Rare thing. I think its a matter of design and make that pattern from the picture unless someone shows up who has one for a better idea.
I thought before if I wanted one of these Id fabricate it from mild steel .

img12.jpg

The right angle banjo . Or The gap bed rest holder ? That's an RS thing isn't it ? Or has one been seen on RU ? Ive not looked much but never seen one . It'd be a fair bit larger than the RS one though in size and reach . Ive got an RS one (pictured) and its a decent size .

img11.jpg IMG_2577a.jpg IMG_2578a.jpg


The Freestanding Outboard Stand and swivel Arm . I have that. Would it be the same size for the RU ? They look the same but Ive not looked close enough to be sure. Would you want to make a pattern and have that cast and machined ? They show up for sale sometimes . Ive seen a few in UK in the last year . And I think buying and shipping one of those from UK would be a lot cheaper than making an exact copy . Or Ive also thought fabricating using steel and cast concrete would be a god way of getting a similar look and weight .

img0.jpg img1.jpg

How high is the center of the RU spindle from the ground ? Its got to be similar to the RS so Id think the stands are the same .

My RS8 with its outboard stand.
IMG_2523a.jpg

Rob

Originally Posted by RG62

...I'm interested in how they attached the casting to the 1.1" diameter round bar (sadly not a standard bar size any more) of the tool post. I'm postulating that they may have cast the SG iron over a machined bar with a couple of grooves in the end of it. Thoughts?...

Without going out to the workshop to look at my RT/RS toolrest (it's after midnight here) I believe that, like most other Wadkin round bar into castings situations, the casting will have been bored to accept the round bar and then drilled, reamed and fitted with a taper pin.

Here you can make out the bulge of one end of a taper pin in the base of this PK crown guard column.

PK.jpg

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by RG62

The middle picture shows that the blade of the tool rest is bolted to the casting which would be useful for having different lengths of tool rest on the same post. I'm interested in how they attached the casting to the 1.1" diameter round bar (sadly not a standard bar size any more) of the tool post. I'm postulating that they may have cast the SG iron over a machined bar with a couple of grooves in the end of it. Thoughts?

As Vann said . They are drilled and pinned with the tapered pin .

1.1" bar ?? whats that in fractions ? 1 1/4 ' ? or 1 1/8 ?

I have bought imperial bar that fits the RS tool rest holders perfectly . Not sure of the size atm but can check in morning .

Or are the RU posts different than RS?

Some photos of RU 232.

RU 232.jpg

The banjo and toolrest holder. I believe the clamping handle is likely OEM (unlike the handle on the previous RU).

RU 232a.jpg

A second and third banjo on the same RU. I suspect the left-hand lower banjo is not OEM.

RU 232c.jpg

Another view of those two banjos.

RU 232d.jpg

An "elephants foot". Is this a modified RS stand, or is this how RU stands were made?

RU 232b.jpg RU 232e.jpg

Cheers, Vann.

And finally, RUA 202 of 1944.

RUA 202a.jpg

It looks like those larger faceplates were made with a central casting - ~5-6" diameter - fixed to a steel plate with machined taper on the outer ~4". And more countersunk screw holes than you can shake a stick at .

This one came with a shed-load of bits and pieces.

RUA 202f.jpg

RUA 202i.jpg

Cheers, Vann (who wishes he had room to contemplate an RU).

Originally Posted by auscab

...1.1" bar ?? whats that in fractions ? 1 1/4 ' ? or 1 1/8 ?...

I fairly sure the RS and RT toolposts use 1 1/8" (1.125") bar. I can't vouch for RU toolposts.

1 1/8" = 28.575mm, so can be turned from 30mm round bar if imperial sizes aren't available.

Cheers, Vann.

Did you see Mike Thomas's RU thread on the Canadian forum? Wadkin RU sliding gap bed lathe -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum

He also did a thread on OWWM (probably with much the same info).

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by auscab

Hi Richard .

Originally Posted by auscab

I want some of those.
How many castings would you want? The short one only?
It would help if you could run a tape over both types and send me the key dimensions (length, height boss diameter, angle that the tool rest blade is presented at etc.)
IMG_9567a.jpg IMG_9566a.jpg



The right angle tool rest .
I might have a crack at this one too. Let me know if you want a casting.

img12.jpg

The right angle banjo .
You're right, it's an RS thing so I probably don't need it, I can just wind the bed back in! It does look cool though.
img11.jpg IMG_2577a.jpg IMG_2578a.jpg


The Freestanding Outboard Stand and swivel Arm . I have that. Would it be the same size for the RU ?
I assume so, I've seen them up against both RUs and RSs on the web and they look identical as far as I can tell (which isn't far from blurry photos on the computer)

Would you want to make a pattern and have that cast and machined ?
I can build the patterns and have a friend with a machine shop so effectively it is my time and the cost of the castings (stand and swivel arm).

They show up for sale sometimes . I've seen a few in UK in the last year .
Any in Victoria?

img0.jpg img1.jpg

How high is the center of the RU spindle from the ground ? Its got to be similar to the RS so Id think the stands are the same .
The spindle height on my RU is 42" (108cm)


Rob

Cheers Richard

Originally Posted by auscab

As Vann said . They are drilled and pinned with the tapered pin .

1.1" bar ?? whats that in fractions ? 1 1/4 ' ? or 1 1/8 ?

I have bought imperial bar that fits the RS tool rest holders perfectly . Not sure of the size atm but can check in morning .

Or are the RU posts different than RS?

There's a ding on the top of the banjo and I must have measured there, looking again it is 1 1/8" diameter not 1 1/10" as I initially measured (I'll probably have to clean up the top of the hole to fit in a 1 1/8" tool rest.
Haven't seen much imperial bar on-line locally but I'll keep looking. I'm going to the US for work soon and could probably get some there but it's not really aircraft luggage friendly!

Originally Posted by Vann

Did you see Mike Thomas's RU thread on the Canadian forum? Wadkin RU sliding gap bed lathe -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum

He also did a thread on OWWM (probably with much the same info).

Cheers, Vann.

I've seen that and downloaded a copy of the pages as it will likely be a very useful reference when I retire and do a full refurb of my RU!

Interestingly I had the tailstock off the other day and noticed that cast on the inside of the 8" spacer block it says RU171. Some of the cutter tips are also stamped RU171/# so maybe the other RU that John Valves had was RU171?
They obviously weren't obsessive about keeping tooling with particular machines as I have an RS 284 cutter as well!

Cheers, Richard

My RS tool rest posts are 1 1/8 or 1.125”

Here’s some pics of the tool test castings . 2 and 3 bolt . Like I said I need some done ( 2 bolt ) so when I make patterns I’m happy to get extras cast in cast iron . I can do a 3 bolt pattern too . If you want dimensions to make patterns , I’m happy to provide them .
Interestingly, that three bolt is off my outboard stand . It doesn’t work anywhere else on the lathe unless the swivel top part of stand is used . It’s to long for tool test holders on the bed . It’s the same post diameter .

46AFB539-27A8-4EAA-BAA4-1209ABA61291.jpeg BF425853-9EDC-496F-9901-0E9FFF44408B.jpg E909EA93-4B54-4035-AF14-4B88BDBB2D2D.jpg

The outboard stand . If you want to make one in Australia rather than wait and buy OS or where ever, we could have a chat over the phone about you coming and taking measurements for a plan if you want to .

Rob

There was a tripod tool rest sold from NSW to Brisbane a few years back for $500 as far as I know. This was from the 5 RSs bought by forum members in a job lot.
The tripod raw casting would be at least $1k nowadaze from the Foundry we use here in Sydney.
If you are doing the banjos will you make them like the RS with the cam lock rather than a nut and spanner.
I did a pattern for a similar size in the old style but the pattern and the finished banjo sold with the lathe to someone in Victoria about 20 years ago.
H.