Thread: honden lathe

G"Day Steve,
I'm another happy 12 x 36 Honden owner, at the moment there is a thread on broken compound slides running on Practical Machinist (Making a replacement compound slide), one post shows photos of a spacer block to replace the compound. I can only agree with other posters remarks about the practicability of this lathe as a repair project, you may well end up with reasonably cheap lathe with a bit of work (I would kill for the stand and taper turning attachment).
Being a suspicious old bugger I'm wondering why the compound was dismantled, was it broken in a massive crash ?, if so was anything else damaged ?. I personally would be inclined to run a dial indicator over the spindle before purchasing. If you decide to go ahead let me know if need photos, measurements or a manual, I will forward them.
Regards,
Martin

Couple more things.
1. is that a camloc spindle?(I wouldnt have thought so but it sure looks like one)That would be a plus, though the cost of your chucks just went up if it is.
2. is the "gap bed" there anyhere? Not a show stopper if you plan on doing large work but not good if you plan on getting a collet chuck and doing small work close to the spindle (now I guess you could make one of those as well... that will keep you out of trouble for awhile )

Stuart

Hi Stuart,
Am I misreading pench"s post 5 or did you miss it, because it looks to me that he found the three and four jaw chucks and some other items for this lathe.
Bob

Hi Bob,
Thanks for that, seems I am going blind. In my defence I did search the page for "chuck" before I posted.
Sorry guys.

Stuart

G'Day Stuart,
Well spotted Sir, just checked my manual, the LC in the model designation refers to a D1-4 camloc spindle, a few other differences are 40" between centres, swing over bed 13", tailstock is M.T. 3, weight is 320Kg compared to 300Kg for the 12 x 36. I have never seen one in Oz before (not that that means much).
Regards,
Martin

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Hi Bob,
Thanks for that, seems I am going blind. In my defence I did search the page for "chuck" before I posted.
Sorry guys.

Stuart

Your not the only one, i missed it too.....with a D1-4 and chucks i would go for it.

hey guys the lathe does come with 3 & 4 jaw chucks & steadys + 2 differant size face plates the only parts missing are compound slide parts, my farther in law is a machinist & has a lathe & mill & is a very cleaver man he might be able to help me, have not spoke to him yet, hobart is hopeless for buying lathes etc we only a small city engineering shops here stock bugger all & second hand lathes are very rare, are still thinking of buying new might be less hassels but witch one, al336, 960b from h/f or the toolex cq6230a whitch gets a good rap here, dont think we have supplier for toolex in hobart does anyone know of a toolex dealer, thanks for all replies & help steve.

If you want to get a Toolex lathe, contact Newcastle Gasweld as this is the main branch and ask for Steve. He might be able to have one shipped to you from a store closer.

I have had mine just one 10 years and have no complaints, they still sell the same lathe and the people I have arranged them for over the years are happy with them.

On the other hand that lathe looks OK, see what you can do to get a compound, maybe adapt one off a H&F model?

Dave

My thoughts are now if you have the chucks and a father-in-law that could help out with making up replacement parts then go for it.

Michael

Personally I'd buy it for the price. If you decide not to, drop me a line. If you'd like me to take a look at it, drop me a line as well. I have to go to Hobart sometime this week anyway - more boat bits needed.

I do have a quite elderly Hercus lathe that's totally surplus to my requirements and just taking up space. It is complete but needs a good clean and overhaul. Haven't thought too much on getting rid of it yet, but OTOH I most certainly don't need it either. So, depends on what you'd like to do.

Buying a new lathe is a good option IMO if you have the cash and are going to get a good machine. Fooling around with old lathes is for people with more time than money. 4 out of 5 of my lathes are old, FWIW, one of them *very* old....

PDW

Originally Posted by pench

hey guys the lathe does come with 3 & 4 jaw chucks & steadys + 2 differant size face plates the only parts missing are compound slide parts, my farther in law is a machinist & has a lathe & mill & is a very cleaver man he might be able to help me, have not spoke to him yet, hobart is hopeless for buying lathes etc we only a small city engineering shops here stock bugger all & second hand lathes are very rare, are still thinking of buying new might be less hassels but witch one, al336, 960b from h/f or the toolex cq6230a whitch gets a good rap here, dont think we have supplier for toolex in hobart does anyone know of a toolex dealer, thanks for all replies & help steve.

hi all im back & im still waiting on a price for the honden or should i say sick of waiting but some people just take there time, the only good news is i now have the history of the lathe (some progress) i suppose, was purchased in 1989 for the tug boat operators as there were times they needed to repair or make parts for the tugs but there was allways a #### fight over who or what job had priority using the other lathe so the owner purchased the honden for the tug boat guys & was only used rarely, good to know its had bugger all use, now to the top slide it was removed to machine an engine on a ferry, was easier to rig up top slide in ferry and machine with the engine turning than to remove the engine, from there on its a mystery as to why slide was taken apart & where parts are. parts & operators manuals found in office so thats good,lets move on, to PDW did not see your post mate hence no reply many thanks for your offer, are u a tassie boy or do u just visit occasionally. some more help please have been talking to applied machinery in dandenong vic and they have a machtech turner 310x910 lathe with stand,work light,foot brake & coolant pump for $3150 can ship it here via toll for $285 i think thats fair deal, lathe looks same as al335 from h&f question is does any one know if machtech are a better finish than h&f gear, if i dont get price on the honden next week will buy new machine, have turned into a impatient old bugger so my son says lol, many thanks to all,steve. PS hope this was not too boring.


better finish

Hi,
I have a machtech turner 310x1000(though its more like 1100). At the time I was looking the only difference I could find between it and the AL-335 was it was over spec length wise and the H&F was "at best" on size. But this was years ago, things may have changed.
Could be made in the same factory..... could both be copies of something else. No idea how to tell.



Stuart

Originally Posted by pench

PDW did not see your post mate hence no reply many thanks for your offer, are u a tassie boy or do u just visit occasionally.

Refugee from the big island really. I spend most of the year here, I'm down near Kettering.

Sort of retired so I do as I please. That mainly involves building a steel boat at the moment. Amazing just how often a lathe & mill come in handy. I was turning 316 and milling keyways for my steering gear today.

The freight on that lathe doesn't sound too bad. I've used Toll and Tasfreight. Had good results with both. Sometimes I just drive over and get stuff myself if I'm going to Sydney anyway.

Missing top slide on the Honden isn't the end of the world if the price is right. I think I've got a spare top slide somewhere. Not for that lathe of course but you can bodge a lot of things if you have to.

PDW

hi stuart, they probably are made in the same factory mate guess i wont know the quality of finish untill its in my shed. hi pdw im the same as u mate i have retired early due to no work in my industry here & lovin it nice to wake up & venture into shed & play all day, i have been waiting for a price on the honden since mid december, far too long i think, not to fussed about top slide now i now something can be adapted if i do get honden would it be ok to contact u, lathe is coming from sabre marine u may know of them, via a friend who works there but i cant wait forever so next week i will order the new machine if i dont have a price, i migrated here from vic in 1980 mate.