Thread: Your Eyes Needed / Lathe search

I think I have a model 16, in parts. The main bed is used to support a wood lathe, the rest is in storage. This has a later headstock fitted. Previously used as a lathe to repair and machine drum brakes.
Peter

Hello Peter , Gee your lathe sounds big . Any chance of some basic measurements , please . Have you seen any others ? There must have been
a lot imported here . The gears in my headstock have been pinned with ( I think ) # 2 tapered steel pins . a few phone calls failed to find any so I found
the dimensions in Machinerys Handbook (17 ed.) . So turning a few up on one of my watchmakers Lathes . This small model that I have had the sliding steel gear on the main shaft seized from dust / grit . Cleaning & a good polish & the whole thing works like a dream . Now I'll have to put a small motor on it to see how it works / performs .
Thank you from Ken in Mackay

That sounds great Ken. In my case, I obtained the machine for the cost of scrap metal. Originally intended to make this into a wood lathe. It was not really worth restoring to a metal lathe, besides it was incomplete.
The headstock had been replaced with a larger type that had split bearing housings. I got as far as fitting 3 ball bearings with a 1" bore, then got diverted into another project (as often happens).
I posted a reply a while ago showing how the bronze rack had been repaired. When cast, a tooth had been not been formed properly. Instead of scrapping, the area was repaired with a tapered dovetail block which blended in perfectly.
Peter

Hello Ken.
I own a 1926 Britannia. It was the first lathe I bought & I still use it occasionaly, I don't know what model mine is but the serial number is G2 109 & Tony from Lathes UK told me it is a 1926 after seeing a photo. mine operates well but the Norton quick change box is missing all but one gear, the bevel gear that powers the apron sliding is worse for wear but works.
Cheers Barry.

Hello Barry , Nice of you to write in about your Britania ( the Great Grandaddy of the Hercus . The more I read your letter the more confused I
got about mine . These Britania guys were really a free wheeling mob.
The Company didn't publish much in advance although they must have sent
a Handbook with each Lathe they sold . So how did you 2 get together ?
The Britania & You I mean . I know that the Royal Navy was their best
customer . Those Brit Sailors must have had legs like tree trunks to power those things in the early ( pre electric motor ) days .
Anyway Barry , I'll let you have some space to reply . Thank you to the
Hercus Lathe Guys for letting us use some of your space .
Best regards from Ken Weekes in Mackay , Qld.
p/s can you send a couple of pics please . k.

Hello Ken.
You certainly are confused if you think the Britannia (note 2 n's ) is related to Hercus, Hercus are an Australian made copy of the American Southbend lathe, Britannia were made in Coulchester England.
I found a lot of info about them on the Net back in 2005 when I first got mine, it is a 6inch centre height (12 inch swing) with a 4 foot bed & was originally powered by an overhead belt, later changed to an onboard motor with countershaft. I am pressed for time at the moment but will try to get some info posted in the near future.
Try( www.nelmes.fsnet.co.uk/paxman/paxbrit.htm ) I found a history there. Paxman was a later name for the Britannia Works
Cheers for now
Barry.

The link above does not work. hopefully this one does.
Paxman History Pages - Britannia Works
I have added a photo of my Britannia for you to have a look at, now its a case of I show you mine you show me yours!
I have tried to load photo's in the past & have had no luck, this could open a whole new world of communication for me.

Cheers again
Barry.