Model Engine Maker

Supporting => Tooling & Machines => Topic started by: Gas_mantle on December 06, 2018, 05:37:13 PM

Title: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Gas_mantle on December 06, 2018, 05:37:13 PM
Hi all,

A neighbour was clearing out his garage and gave me this little fella :-)  I'm assuming its a watchmakers lathe and wonder if anyone here might know anything about it - age, maker etc?

I'm not sure how well it will cut (if at all) but it could make a nice little ornament for my vertical engine to drive  :)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4907/45481774704_39d8afe84a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ci4Z4o)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4838/46155275392_0d09e86035_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2djzRmd)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4828/31266757457_c881b5e18c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PCWiF8)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4881/46155258302_e7136b810b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2djzLgy)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4855/46155251522_63b21f4579_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2djzJfE)

Many thanks.
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Ye-Ole Steam Dude on December 06, 2018, 05:44:56 PM
Oh wow, what a beautiful piece of equipment. I am surprised that the manufacture did not cast his name on it, or at least have a brass plate with model and date. Looks like it will clean up really good.

Have a great day,
Thomas
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Jo on December 06, 2018, 05:53:10 PM
Mk1 Flexispeed built somewhere just after WWII (pre 1948 when they had upgraded to three speed  ;) ).

Jo
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Gas_mantle on December 06, 2018, 06:01:46 PM
Thanks :-)

Since I made my original posting I notice the 4 jaw chuck is stamped 'Adept' but the main body is unmarked.

Looks like you have hit the nail on the head Jo  :)  It appears to be exactly the same as the MK1 here :-

http://www.lathes.co.uk/flexy/

Next task is to rig it up and see if it will turn anything  :headscratch:
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Jo on December 06, 2018, 06:07:12 PM
It should do but your problem will be finding chucks and things for it. It is probably not worth the effort  :-\

It would be a nice demo piece to drive with a steam engine and hold something in the existing four jaw.

Jo
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Gas_mantle on December 06, 2018, 06:15:55 PM
I kinda just want to rig it up to cut as a demo model powered by a steam engine, if it will turn small bits of brass or aluminium I'll be happy.

The chuck looks to be ok but I haven't got a chuck key, I thought if I grind a small square of tool steel and make a handle I ought to be able to try it out. Considering its age it seem to operate smoothly without any obvious play in the bearing and slides.

It ought to make a simple project to clean it up and give it a lick of paint.
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Jo on December 06, 2018, 06:20:41 PM
It will easily turn steel with a HSS tool. It is one of the precursors to the Cowells. I am not sure about the nose it is likely to be 1/2" whit or BSF  :noidea: Your problem will be matching the taper in the headstock/tailstock.

Jo
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Roger B on December 06, 2018, 06:50:18 PM
What a wonderful little lathe  :) It looks good as a demonstration load for your steam engine  :ThumbsUp:  :ThumbsUp:
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Gas_mantle on December 06, 2018, 09:35:48 PM
Thanks Roger  :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkReuC-1rlc
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: gary.a.ayres on December 06, 2018, 10:08:39 PM
Nice find!

I'd get it running if I were you (says he who owns several old machines that have been awaiting restoration for several years...)...

Not sure it's a watchmaker's lathe though... don't they usually have a tool rest for manual gravers instead of a cross-slide...?
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Florian Eberhard on December 06, 2018, 10:19:49 PM
Hi Peter

A Pretty nice lathe you've got there!

To clean the rust away, the best thing to do is to just dunk it in citric acid.
Stefan gotteswinter shows what it can do to an almost completely rusty vice (at 26:00):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1FTMbmfmY

Florian

Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Gas_mantle on December 06, 2018, 10:27:06 PM
Cheers Florian, I have some citric acid that I use when soldering so I'll give it a try.

Hi Gary, I did refer to it as possibly a watchmakers lathe but now I've read a bit more I'd agree it's more likely a small hobby engineers lathe. If I can use it steam powered to turn a few simple brass fitting then I'll be happy.  :)
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: b.lindsey on December 06, 2018, 11:16:54 PM
What a great little machine!! Definitely worth cleaning up even if just for demo purposes.

Bill
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: gary.a.ayres on December 07, 2018, 12:16:18 AM
Hi Gary, I did refer to it as possibly a watchmakers lathe but now I've read a bit more I'd agree it's more likely a small hobby engineers lathe. If I can use it steam powered to turn a few simple brass fitting then I'll be happy.  :)

Yes, sorry Peter - you did say it was a model engineer's lathe in the video, which I only watched after I made my previous comment.

I hope you can get your engine to run it on steam power - that's a video I'd love to see! I have a nice old Drummond 'Pre-B' lathe awaiting some work. You have just set me imagining my PMR #6 driving it (when I get round to building the PMR 'one day', that is...). Oh - and I'd need a bigger boiler too...  :???: Maybe I'll just look out for your steam-powered lathe video instead  :)
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: steamer on December 07, 2018, 01:25:21 AM
Consider Simple Green and Very hot water with a closed lid

It takes it all off...Rust paint, you name it

http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,369.0.html

Dave

Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Gas_mantle on December 07, 2018, 09:10:05 AM
Thanks Dave, is Simple Green a US product, I've never heard of it in the UK?
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Ian S C on December 07, 2018, 11:36:22 AM
Here is my Super Adept at work taking off about .010" of steel.
Ian S C
         
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: mcostello on December 07, 2018, 02:24:30 PM
Model Engineer forum would likely have much information on it.
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: steamer on December 07, 2018, 02:31:18 PM
Thanks Dave, is Simple Green a US product, I've never heard of it in the UK?

Yes unfortunately it is.   
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Vixen on December 07, 2018, 02:39:38 PM
Thanks Dave, is Simple Green a US product, I've never heard of it in the UK?

Yes unfortunately it is.

It's also available in the UK in large and small quantities.  Search on the evil-bay for "Simple Green cleaner/ degreaser"

Not tried it myself, so no endorsement offered
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Jo on December 07, 2018, 02:43:09 PM
Best machine tool degreaser is Fairy Power spray  ;)

You also won't get in trouble if you bring the machine into the house because of its smell - I can't promise you will be allowed the machine in the house   ::)

Jo
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: steamer on December 07, 2018, 02:47:38 PM
Yup  just checked    Simple green is banned in europe.

Dave
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: steamer on December 07, 2018, 02:49:02 PM
Thanks Dave, is Simple Green a US product, I've never heard of it in the UK?

Yes unfortunately it is.

It's also available in the UK in large and small quantities.  Search on the evil-bay for "Simple Green cleaner/ degreaser"

Not tried it myself, so no endorsement offered


Interesting!!!
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Vixen on December 07, 2018, 02:50:18 PM
Yup  just checked    Simple green is banned in europe.

Dave

However despite this apparent ban, it's available in the UK in large and small quantities.  Search on the evil-bay for "Simple Green cleaner/ degreaser"

Mike
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: steamer on December 07, 2018, 03:04:47 PM
Yup  just checked    Simple green is banned in europe.

Dave

However despite this apparent ban, it's available in the UK in large and small quantities.  Search on the evil-bay for "Simple Green cleaner/ degreaser"

Mike
I guess if its for sale its not banned...lol :lolb:
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: Admiral_dk on December 07, 2018, 09:12:53 PM
I'm pretty sure that the seller would be in trouble if someone actually filed a complain about that to the police ....
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: gary.a.ayres on December 09, 2018, 10:40:45 PM
Just for the record, here's my Drummond 'Pre-B'. Will get round to restoring it one day:

(https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/sites/7/images/member_albums/173350/818693.jpg)
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: b.lindsey on December 09, 2018, 10:46:14 PM
That should clean up nice Gary. Interesting arrangement with the gears on the main longitudinal drive.

Bill
Title: Re: Just got myself a very small lathe - any idea what it is?
Post by: gary.a.ayres on December 09, 2018, 11:17:14 PM
Yes, there's not a colossal amount of work in it. I have too many projects though...

But this one will be nice when it's done...
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