Replies

1. 
   jimmyk | Jun 22, 2005 03:36am | #1

   The largest diameter piece it will spin over the ways (frame that the tool rest slides on).

1. 
   h12721 | Jun 22, 2005 04:54am | #2

   Roy , that depends on if you ask that question in Europe or in the USA. Over there it is the radius.

   Hilmar

   Edited 6/21/2005 9:56 pm ET by Hilmar

1. 
   Patto | Jun 22, 2005 07:47am | #3

   Given the reference to banksia, also radius in Australia.

1. 
   royh | Jun 22, 2005 01:40pm | #4

   Patto, Hilmar, & Molten:

   Many thanks! The distance is 4.5 inches from the ways to the center of the headstock spindle; thus a 9 inch swing, right?. Radius seems to make more sense. Picture attached.

   Cheers, --Roy

   
1. 
   Steinmetz | Jun 22, 2005 11:47pm | #5

   Roy that is a nice old lathe .Your photo shows the rear. It also shows a link beltdriving the spindle
   A closer view would be helpful, as it appears to have been originaly driven by a flat (Leather) belt.The Tailstock has a mounted Jacobs chuck,which will help when boring and center drilling.
   You'll need a set of tapered turning centers to drive and turn wood That big four jaw chuck will be fine when turning metal, but with it removed and the driving center substituted, youll be able to turn maximum length stock.Curious to know, what capacity motor drives it? How many speeds? Steinmetz.

2. 
   royh | Jun 23, 2005 12:35am | #6

   Hi Steinmetz,

   As near as I can tell the lathe was manufactured in the 1930s by Sears Roebuck, model #534-0601.

   When received from my dad, it had a V-belt driving the headstock --- that V-belt was quite frayed and I was afraid it would go flying at any minute, so since I couldn't remove the spindle, I just cut the old belt off and put the link belt on.  It seems to run just fine with the link belt.

   There is a 4-step pulley on the headstock spindle, graduated from 4" down to 2" with indexing holes on the inboard side.  4.5 " from the bed to center of the headstock spindle. The motor is from Montgomery Ward, 1/4 hp, 4.8 amp, 1450 rpm, reversible, 2 spindles, with an identical 4-step pulley mounted under and opposite in orientation to the one on the headstock.

   It came with a #1MT cup "dead" center on the tailstock that I replaced with a "live" cone center. Also had a 4-spur, #1MT driving center (minus the centering cone) in the headstock. Replaced this also. The chuck I got from Sears to hold the piece you saw in the previous picture

   OAL of the bed is 44".  Will send this post and then will post some pictures shortly.

   Thanks for your repsonse and interest. --Roy

3. 
   royh | Jun 23, 2005 01:39am | #7

   Hi Steinmetz,

   Here are 2 pictures from the top. Thanks for any comments.

   Roy

   Edited 6/22/2005 6:40 pm ET by RoyH

   
4. 
   Steinmetz | Jun 23, 2005 02:19am | #8

   Roy, Great pictures
   I'd check out the bearings (babbitt or bronze?) If any 'Slop' try to get replacement sleeves If no excess loosness,just oil the bearings occasionally. Id be tempted to dismantle the whole thing and polish up all the steel and bright metal. Then wirebrush all painted surfaces, degrease with lacquer thinner and mask each part and spray three coats of Epoxy appliance enamel.A real treasure Start collecting Stanley socket chisels then start turning handles for them. Steinmetz.

5. 
   royh | Jun 23, 2005 03:12am | #9

   Thanks, Steinmetz.  Couldn't dismantle the headstock spindle, that's why I cut off the old v-belt and installed the linkbelt. I unthreaded the retainings rings on both ends, loosened the allenscrew on the pulley, but no budge. I didn't want to hammer on the end of the spindle. There appears not be any slop in any direction, and it seems oil has always been kept in the reservoirs (which by the way have some kind of wick in there). After a really long period of turning, there is some warmth in the bearing housing, but it's not hot.

   Great idea about turning chisel handles; will give it a shot. How do you tell if babbitt or bronze bearings?

   --Roy

6. 
   Steinmetz | Jun 23, 2005 09:21am | #10

   Roy, my memory is not as sharp as it used to be, but on my Atlas lathes, (Which all had back gearing, (Metalcutting) that setscrew has another beneath it that also must be removed.
   I'll look up the schematic drawing I have somewhere? , but I have had to change the belts and/or strip down all three of my Atlas's at one time or the other.
   As to your babbett/bronze query, Babbitt was first melted, then poured
   'in cito'around the shafting.
   Bronze,on the other hand. was press fitted into the journals undersized, then reamed to a 'running fit' for the shaft. So long as there's no loosness, you're ahead of the game. If you,re careful, you can polish up the pulleys and anything revolving, with fine emory cloth attached to a stick or plastic rod. !/2 or 3/4 horse motor would make quick work with any turnings overly large in diameter.
   Steinmetz.

   Edited 6/23/2005 2:26 am ET by steinmetz

7. 
   royh | Jun 23, 2005 02:01pm | #11

   Steinmetz - Ah, ok, I didn't look underneath the first set screw. Might just do that. That first set screw, BTW, is slotted, not Allen. Anyway, thanks for the info. If I get a dull moment, I might do a little fine surgery to see what's going on. But, there's no play in any direction. For spindles up to 5", there seems to be plenty of juice. Haven't tried anything outboard. 2 faceplates (one threaded for inboard and one out) came with it as well.

   Thanks again, I'll come back when I learn more. --Roy

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 23, 2005 10:22pm | #12

    What is "swing" on a lathe?

   I think it is when ya get your shirt tails in the Headstock?