My "new" lathe, Rivett 608

[90LX_Notch]

Dave asked for pictures.

I have wanted a nice lathe for a long time and things just never lined up for me.  This time they did.  I am so happy.  I still have some hurdles to overcome.  The lathe is in our living room and the cabinet and speedbox are covered in the garage tent.  Snow is preventing me from getting it into the shop.  My wife is beyond awsome.  She is okay with it being in the living room for "awhile".  The other hurdle to clear is space in the shop.  That's a major project.  I'll be selling off some small lathes here shortly if any one is interested. 2 Atlas 618s and a Seig 7x12.

-Bob

[steamer]

THAT looks SAWEEEEEEET!    Doesn't appear to be abused...and only lightly worn!   

NICE!

Dave

[steamer]

Having the steadies is like finding hens teeth!     DON"T EVER LET THOSE GO!

I see what looks like original flaking on the bed....that means it wasn't beaten to death during the war.....you found something really special there bud!




Dave

[philjoe5]

Very nice old iron and the extras are a big bonus.  Have fun with it

Cheers,
Phil

[steamer]

Most people completely misunderstand the tool post.   It was intended for carbon steel or HSS tools in round shank form....the tool post allows you to get the tool on center with the work by rotating the eccentric mount.

Dave

[ths]

That looks like a very special machine. Lucky man! Cheers, Hugh.

[steamer]

http://www.lathes.co.uk/rivett/page2.html

and here

http://www.lathes.co.uk/rivettearly608/index.html

[Roger B]

That looks to be a nice piece of kit    Dave (Steamer) is certainly impressed and he knows his machine tools (thanks for all your help and advice in the past).

[90LX_Notch]

Thanks guys.  Dave knows how long I've been longing for a nice lathe.

Dave what's cool is it has tool holders that go into the Rivett tool post that hold square tool bits.  In the pictures they are under the Starrett box.  One is straight and one is goose neck.  It does have some pretty heavy wear near the head stock.  The PO said it came from an instrument mfg.  They must of used it to produce parts.  It's setup for 50 tpi.  Absent in the photos are the other gears for the QCGB.  The cabinet is beautiful and the Speed box and motor must weigh as much as the lathe.  The cabinet is the same as this; not as nice though:
http://www.deprecision.com/RivettLathe.com/images/cummins_608m.jpg

I feel very fortunate to have been able to get this lathe.  I consider it a once in a lifetime opportunity.

-Bob

Edit- Fixed misspelled word.

[Don1966]

Good for you Bob, it looks to be in great shape, enjoy bud.   


Don

[b.lindsey]

Nice find Bob...looks rock solid too!!

Bill

[Dave Otto]

That's a sweet heart! looking forward to seeing it all together and cleaned up.

Nice find.
Dave

[90LX_Notch]

Thanks gentlemen.

Dave it's going to be awhile before it's making chips; however, I will update this thread when it happens.

-Bob

[90LX_Notch]

Well, after 8 months she is up and running. 

Picture d shows the cover down exposing the sliding gear.  This gear is what determines carriage feed direction.  This lathe does not have reverse tumbler gears.

Picture f shows the adjustable carriage stop. The feed disengages when the carriage makes contact with it.  Also shown is the fork that is used to disable the feed clutch while threading.  When it is slid to the left, only the lead screw can be thrown.  When it is slid to the right, only the carriage feed clutch can be thrown.  The knurled knob located towards the bottom of the carriage allows the crank handle for the carriage to be disengaged.

Picture g shows the sliding gear for the leadscrew.  The lead screw is disengaged when not in use to save wear.

Picture j shows the cross feed and compound removed.  This is to allow for other Rivett tooling to be attached to the carriage.

Picture l shows the trap door for the crossfeed drive gear open.  This is done with the long slender handle in the front.

Picture n shows the two speed transmission and brake.

Pictures o-r show Rivett'e unique three point pedestal mounting system.  The balls are located in the bottom of the bed at the headstock end.  The tailstock pedestal has a bevel washer.  The pedestals act as jackscrews to level the lathe once it is in position.

[90LX_Notch]

More pics