Cowells / Perris Headstock Compatibiltiy

[henry]

Hi All,

I've had an older model cowells with the M14 x 1.5 Spindle for a few years. When I bought it there were marks on the ways close to the chuck. Probably hacksaw marks. I've always had it in my head to rebuild the lathe and replace the bed with cleaner ways.

I've been looking at a few options (mostly ebay) and I was wondering if the headstock off my lathe would fit on a Perris bed and is this a good idea at all or is the alignment specific to each headstock/bed assembly. Second option would be to spend a bit more and get a cleaner cowells to begin with.

Any help appreciated, Cheers, Henry

[Jo]

Why? In what way does the horrible marks on the bed effect the way the lathe operates? They are probably just cosmetic ... If so you could fill them with JB weld or a clear epoxy and scrape them level.

The only reason to consider drastic changes is if the lathe ways are worn.

Jo

[uuu]

I'd be sceptical.  These lathes are fettled during assembly, so there's no guarantee that major parts can be exchanged between two similar Cowells, let alone a Cowells and a Perris.

I agree with Jo - you'd have to take quite a chunk out of the bed to disrupt the movement of the carriage.

Wilf

[henry]

Hi Jo, yeah that's a fair question. Can't say they affect functionality but they are fairly pronounced and not easy on the eye 

I'd like to get the machine into good shape mechanically and visually so was just thinking this might be a way to make the bed tidier. I was planning to rebuild the lathe soon as there a few other issues I need to tackle anyway.

[henry]

I'd be sceptical.  These lathes are fettled during assembly, so there's no guarantee that major parts can be exchanged between two similar Cowells, let alone a Cowells and a Perris.

Wilf

Thanks, Thought it might be a long shot alright. Don't want to give myself an extra big project

[Jo]

May I suggest fitting a swarf guard at the front of the saddle. I have been known to just stick a post-it at the front of a saddle and you will find it covers the offending marks or you could make something out of aluminium to mount on the threaded hole on the saddle.

Jo

[Zephyrin]

Back when I used to part on the lathe with a hacksaw, I would place a small wooden board on the lathe bench.
The board had lots of saw marks, but my lathe didn't!
I agree that saw marks on a nice little machine are an eyesore, but replacing the bench is not the right solution. JBweld is your friend, or iron filling and epoxy for a better color, or milling a recess and filling it with a piece of cast iron if this part of the lathe is not reached by the carriage.

[Jo]

Yes a nice wooden under chuck swarf ( & protection from the dreaded hacksaw cutting ) board can look very nice on a lathe. Not too big, from the headstock, under the chuck, long enough not to get in the way but to cover any 

Jo

[Jasonb]

I'd just get on and use it, the resultant swarf will soon cover any cosmetic marks. They are made to be used not looked at.

I use a board when changing chucks but take anything out of the lathe to saw.

[PaulR]

I use a board when changing chucks but take anything out of the lathe to saw.

Same here. I made a board that slopes towards me, with a little ledge at the front to stop the nuts running away!

[Jo]

I use a board when changing chucks but take anything out of the lathe to saw.

As we get older it can be difficult to take the weight of a chuck when taking it off the nose of a lathe    On Big C I have an over head crane mounted up to take the weight of the 8" chucks and 18" faceplate. But I don't think it is necessary on a Cowells

Jo