Thread: colchester progress

Big a the tailstock end?

hi Stuart, it is bigger at the tail stock end. Only just really i tried using a o.oo2mm thickness gauge
to measure the bar but could really get a repeatable measurement. Id post a photo but need to get
some new battery's for the camera. I might try to measure the taper with a comparator stand.

Is the bar still in the lathe?
Do you have a 1/10th or there about metric DTI?
Do you have any HSS tools?

Stuart

Are you measuring imperial and writing metric as .002mm is a very thin feeler, I would say if your able to get it in but not repeatable let it be.

Have you tried to assess bed wear? If the bed is straight - the two unworn ends read the same on the level - and it still cuts a taper I think it means either the headstock is out of alignment with the bed or the ways are worn. My money would be on the ways. Well that's where my problems were anyway.

and thickness gauge.
Stuart i do have a metric dti and the bar is still in the machine. how would u us it?

pipe clay i made a mistake in that post instead of o.oo2mm thickness gauge i should of
said " indicating snap micrometer"like this one.
http://www.sometcz.com/en/obchod/mic...-25-50-mm.html
i was measuring in imperial and typing in metric
i do get the point about leaving it be.

Originally Posted by azzrock

Stuart i do have a metric dti and the bar is still in the machine. how would u us it?

Set the DTI up on the tool post at center height, move it from one end to the other and see what it has to tell you.

Like PC I certainly wouldnt be losing a lot of sleep over it as it is, but sometimes it interesting to find out just whats wrong less than perfect.

Stuart

Just to add to Stuart's point, Aaron: once you have the deviation in the horizontal plane, mount the same DI vertically above the centre of the bar and measure again (in a plane 90 deg to the first one). The comparison of the two sets of numbers will give you a bit of a handle about the wear of the bed. I would repeat these two series with a known parallel bar long enough to give you a picture of the whole bed length. You will have to mount it running as true as you can though - preferably without using the tailstock, although I have think that through a bit more... it may not matter in term of geometry but may help in terms of measuring consistency by removing the sag.....
Just thinking aloud here - may all just be interesting hot air

thanks guys. i think ill go out and have another look and run those tests.
I think in general its a good lathe ive made a few things with it and have
liked slowly fixing up.
aaron

hi again. ok after using a sharp hhs tool and a borrowed metric mic.
for another test cut on my colchester. I cant measure any taper so
it looks like the machine is cutting straight. you beauty.
ill still run the dti check's as suggested.
any way thanks guys. im very happy with the this. A cheap at least
50 year old lathe some work and second hand parts. Cutting as straight
as i can measure.
aaron

the old lathe has a brand new chuck.
Ive never had a new chuck before its good.
chuck3.jpgSAM_0965.jpg
you may notice on the bead at the top on the top of the chip tray.i have been testing out a new green for the lathe.
I think its a little bright. I haven't all ways been very concerned about the paint job of old machines. All of a sudden im testing out colours ect.
i decided to make the L0 backing plates for the chuck upgrades. that's all slowed down a little
since i was about half way thru cutting the tapper on the second backing plate and i relished id
set the job up backwards.

bp2.jpgbp1.jpg

not having any spare material i decided to plug the hole with a brake piston.
any way silly mistake. having a drawing hanging near the lathe i think would help reduce
stuff ups.

the tail stock barrel isn't locking so i investigated that.
Its a nice devise to lock the barrel. its locked in place by a key that also stops the barrel turning inside the bore of the tail stock.
the tail stock barrel locking lever moves the key up and down to lock and release the barrel.
IM not shore but maybe other tail stocks do it the same.

ts2.jpgts3.jpgSAM_0972.jpg
in the first pic you can see the worn barrel clamp cam and the worn barrell
clamp lug.
Is it all worth it??
I reakon

What was wrong with the old chuck, or is the new one just a different jaw configuration?

hi Dsel how are you. i really needed a smaller 3 jaw as mine was worn out and wouldn't repeat an accurate set up.
the replacment is not as big as i would like but was what i had.
Plus i didnt have a 4 jaw. which i need and i have a larger 12" 3 jaw that good but its a bit big for the lathe.

Hi Aaron,

You must be over the moon with your $700 Colchester!

You took a punt and it's paid off. Fortune favours the brave. Can't help with the TS, I'll just sit back and watch.

Simon