Thread: Nuttle parts / info

It really depends on whether you will cut mostly imperial or metric threads. My lathe is imperial and converting to cut metric is annoying but as I cut mainly imperial threads it does not worry me. If I had a metric lathe I might find it the other way around.
Gears can be made, so that should not be a major hurdle, as can a tapered spindle adaptor. If no one closer can help then I can see what I can do for you
There are aftermarket toolposts around which are quite respectable so unless you are after the original parts for historic reasons it's just a matter of parting with money. As for a length stop, recreating one if you can find a picture is probably the easiest way of getting one of those.

Michael

Did you get imperial half nuts as well?

Anf given Nuttall used some weird spline system for the change gear centres good luck finding change gears, along with the taper turning attachment that I have never seen a Nuttall for sale ever fitted with...

It will say in the your book what the spindle taper is... Probably a morse 5 I would guess...

I used to use one of those at TAFE and IMO they were a very half-arsed conversion. Cross slide calibrations to weird number as they didn't change the inch screw, just the dial. Etc. Converting it back to inch is going to be a PITA unless you make all the dials that were converted back to inch. Do-able but a PITA.

As RC says, the gears were splined centres so you either need the originals or someone with a shaper/slotter to make them for you. What's your circle of friends with machinery like?

The adaptor sleeve is an easy one - buy one. Those machines had a 2" hollow spindle IIRC so MT5 sounds about right. Buy a MT5-MT3 (or whatever) reducing sleeve and cut it off with an angle grinder, problem solved.

As for the taper attachment, forget it. None of the lathes at the TAFE I went to had one fitted. You need a special cross slide screw with a telescoping section to use a TA anyway and your chances of finding one are equal to your chances of finding a TA separate from its original machine - slim. Very.

They weren't bad machines to use but really, just a lathe, nothing special. Spending a lot of time & effort 'restoring' one to its original glory is OK if that's what floats your boat, but frankly I think it's a waste of time for a machine like that.

PDW

Thanks guys,

the he lathe is in great shape - I have the half nuts for the imperial lead screw and the thread chasing dial. I think I'll convert it back to imperial- I cut more imperial threads. I know I'll have to remake dials but now I have an idea they didn't replace the screws on the cross slide this might be the way to go. The taper turning attachment was just putting it out there.

The he taper is larger than a morse no 5

thanks guys

Originally Posted by Cambimotor

if I convert back to imperial I need to find a 25, 35, 36 and 72 tooth change gears

My imperial Nuttall only has 30, 72 and a 120 change gear and can do all the imperial threads (assuming you have an imperial leadscrew).

Originally Posted by Cambimotor

I am also in desperate need of finding a spindle taper sleeve (spindle adaptor) for this lathe.

Is that to change the spindle to MT3? I have one, but not a spare.

Originally Posted by Cambimotor

Aparently an option for these lathes include a taper turning attachment

Never seen one of those.

There is a bloke still making/selling new Nuttall parts (I believe he obtained the rights and drawings), so change gears and other parts are available - http://www.bdmachining.com.au/nuttall-lathe-parts/

Also you can make the change gears (the internal spline) without a shaper or slotter without to much trouble (actually it's quicker and easier without).

Originally Posted by Cambimotor

Thanks guys,


The he taper is larger than a morse no 5

thanks guys

What does it say in the book... Is it morse 6?

Originally Posted by .RC.

What does it say in the book... Is it morse 6?

I have a faint recollection that is it NOT a standard taper, but could be wrong ... this was from measuring the adapter, as I don't have a manual.

Well there are a lot of standards around for tapers...

Morse, Brown and Sharpe, Jarno and metric taper are probably the most common...

Originally Posted by .RC.

Well there are a lot of standards around for tapers...

True. I was only checking it against MT.

The way to measure would be two big balls... You put the smaller ball in first and with a depth micrometer across the end of the spindle, measure the depth to the top of the ball.... Then put in your bigger ball and measure the depth again...

Knowing the diameter of the balls, you can calculate the taper, and thus the sleeve required...

From memory, when I had my Nuttall, the spindle hole was something like 2 1/16" or something like that...

I was under the impression that mine was MT5. I bought an MT5 to MT4 (I Think) adaptor for this purpose. I never tried it that I recall. The adaptor is still sitting in the tooling cabinet. I can't imagine ever using it. I could be talked into parting with it if suitable.

My Nuttall did not have a 2 inch spindle bore. It was a bit less. The current lathe has a 52mm (2 1/16") spindle bore and an MT6 taper.

Some parts are still available. I don't remember the name, but a search will find it.

Dean

Originally Posted by PDW

I used to use one of those at TAFE and IMO they were a very half-arsed conversion. Cross slide calibrations to weird number as they didn't change the inch screw, just the dial. Etc. Converting it back to inch is going to be a PITA unless you make all the dials that were converted back to inch. Do-able but a PITA.

As RC says, the gears were splined centres so you either need the originals or someone with a shaper/slotter to make them for you. What's your circle of friends with machinery like?

The adaptor sleeve is an easy one - buy one. Those machines had a 2" hollow spindle IIRC so MT5 sounds about right. Buy a MT5-MT3 (or whatever) reducing sleeve and cut it off with an angle grinder, problem solved.

As for the taper attachment, forget it. None of the lathes at the TAFE I went to had one fitted. You need a special cross slide screw with a telescoping section to use a TA anyway and your chances of finding one are equal to your chances of finding a TA separate from its original machine - slim. Very.

They weren't bad machines to use but really, just a lathe, nothing special. Spending a lot of time & effort 'restoring' one to its original glory is OK if that's what floats your boat, but frankly I think it's a waste of time for a machine like that.

PDW

Anyone know how the original poster got on with the old Nuttall lathe. Just to confirm what Pete says above, the conversion was just a change of leadscrew to 6mm from 1/4" lead. That made a bastardised QC chart with odd decimal leads eg: 2.4, 4.8 9.6,,,, and 5.1 etc. I think there was only two columns with full mertic leads. Up to 1982 when students made a bench vise the screws were cut with 4.8 lead as there wasn't enough pick off gears for all students to cut the 5mm lead! They all had a 24 and 35 tooth starwheel for tracking.

The cross slide still had the 8 TPI screw with a graduated dial of 3.2mm. What a pain!!

I do have a test bar which I retrieved from the scrap bin which could be of use to anyone if needs it. It's not in bad shape still. Did it get used? Of course! Bloody students had prangs which at times did move the headstock.

There was a taper turning attachment there as well but was in bits. Can't remember if it's still there but was last year on one of my visits to the old place.

As for gears. I stupidly gave them along with spare QC shafts, new cross feed screws/nuts (metric) etc to a dealer at Gunnedah only a year back as there weren't any Nuttalls left. After all they go back to around 1962 in many TAFE colleges in NSW!! One thing we could be thankful for was they all had D1-6 spindle nose.

When PDW comes back up to Sydney maybe I can meet up with him and go back to the old College for a visit!!

Rusty

I still have an inch leadscrew, nuts and threading dial from the collection under the canteen building that Bob gave me, back in the day. I even found the half nuts just before I came away while looking for other things.

Yeah, I'll drop you a line next time I'm in Sydney - I'm well on the way home now, over in Gippsland heading for the ferry tonight. Might send you a photo of your old mill happily residing in its Tasmanian home.....

PDW

Originally Posted by PDW

I still have an inch leadscrew, nuts and threading dial from the collection under the canteen building that Bob gave me, back in the day. I even found the half nuts just before I came away while looking for other things.

Yeah, I'll drop you a line next time I'm in Sydney - I'm well on the way home now, over in Gippsland heading for the ferry tonight. Might send you a photo of your old mill happily residing in its Tasmanian home.....

PDW

There's still leadscrews under H Block Pete or at least there was in Feb this year. I might make some excuse to go in and see what Nuttall stuff is still there. Also there was a box in the store with cross/compound dials. Some metric and I think some of the old imperial ones.

Keep in touch!