Author Topic: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2  (Read 3076 times)

Offline craynerd

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Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« on: June 24, 2018, 12:12:11 AM »
There seems to be quite a few with Cowells lathes on here and back in 2013 I also had a Cowells, but due to families, kids and moving home, I had to sell it. Thread here: http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,1250.0/topicseen.html

Anyway, I posted a few weeks back looking for a Cowells again as I really missed it for watch and clock work. I had a few return emails and ended up picking up this real stunner with loads of accessories, including the pinion and wheel cutter an Dividing head. This is absolutely a keeper forever!

I am chuffed to bits with it and put together a short video showing it all!

[youtube1]https://youtu.be/ywqL8GFYXwE[/youtube1]

I’m just in the process of making a spindle indexing unit and then I can use wheel and pinion cutter. I’ll post that when I’ve made it.

Thanks for watching.
Chris

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2018, 01:05:22 AM »
You hit the jackpot Chris. That looks like just about every accessory made for the ME90. And they all look in pristeen condition too. Very nice score !!!!!!!!!

Bill

Offline craynerd

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2018, 07:49:49 AM »
Thanks Bill. Are you enjoying using your Cowells?

Chris

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2018, 01:07:00 PM »
I am Chris, but will even moreso once I have a permanent home for it. The DRO has made a huge difference as well.

Bill

Offline craynerd

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2018, 12:31:31 AM »
I have considered a DRO but I’ve not made my mind up totally yet.

Chris

Offline steamer

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2018, 12:39:03 AM »
Im interested in your DRO's as well.   The Aciera will be screaming for one I'm sure!

Dave
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Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2018, 01:12:46 AM »
Dave, not sure these will be long enough for your application, but the igaging scales do come in up to 24" as I recall. So far I have happy with them and their economy. The write up on the cowells DRO addition is here

http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,7177.0.html

Bill

Offline steamer

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2018, 01:26:33 AM »
Dave, not sure these will be long enough for your application, but the igaging scales do come in up to 24" as I recall. So far I have happy with them and their economy. The write up on the cowells DRO addition is here

http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,7177.0.html

Bill

Travels on the Aciera are like 100mm x 150mm x 75mm...   It's tiny.
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Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2018, 01:46:40 AM »
Well 8" or 12" scales should be about right then. They can be cut shorter if needed, but haven't tried that myself. I didn't realize it was that small.

Bill

Offline mikemill

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« Last Edit: July 06, 2018, 11:58:53 AM by mikemill »

Offline steamer

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2018, 12:41:56 PM »
ThNks Mike!
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Offline craynerd

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2018, 10:12:47 PM »
Evening, I have been very excited to use my Cowells wheel and pinion cutter and spending the last few weeks sorting out the spindle dividing method, I’ve come across two significant problems. I believe this must be an older model of their spindle cutter because it is branded Cowells, yet doesn’t seem to be the same as other wheel and pinion cutters on the internet. That said, there are not many sources of information!

I have two big problems for wheel and pinion cutting. I can resolve them both with some fiddling and major reorganising but I wanted to check if I was missing something and being stupid!

1. The centre spindle head is threaded m14 x1.5 like the lathe head. Consequently, adding the collet holder extends the spindle length another 25mm+. This means even with a short holding arbour, the cutter comes too far past centre even when mounted at the end of the cross slide table! Is there any other way of mounting a cutter arbour in the spindle or is my spindle not designed for this? If not, I’m going to have to make an extension to the table of about 25mm.

2. Simple one but the motor is going the wrong way and spinning counter clockwise. I appreciate I could simply mount the whole thing the other way around but this would then cause the main casting to foul the normal lathe motor pully. Is there a simple way to reverse the motor?










Offline steamer

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2018, 10:51:33 PM »
Does the spindle have a internal taper?

If so coming up with a cutter arbor would be your easiest solution....check it for #0 or #1 morse.

Dave
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Damned ijjit!

Offline steamer

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2018, 10:53:34 PM »
If it does have a morse taper inside it, then an arbor will be possible, but you really will need a draw bar to hold it in.

Sherline makes #1 morse taper arbors....with 1/4-20 female threaded holse for a draw bar.

You will need to make a hole in the sheet metal guard to get the draw bar in.


Dave

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Damned ijjit!

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Raynerd’s Cowells 90 ME Lathe ... Episode 2
« Reply #14 on: July 15, 2018, 11:27:40 PM »
Chris, you might contact Collin at Cowells also and see if he has and ideas or recognizes the vintage of the pinion cutter.

Bill

 

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