Garage hacks, adjustments and annoyances.........

[woody]

My son got tired of going to a machine shop all the time to make something for his saw mill, last week he said wanted to get a lathe so I chipped in and today it showed up, hope it's worth $3,000.00, will be the next two weeks making a bench for it to find out, wonder how level a lathe bench needs to be................
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I have that same brand and have had good service from it. I bought the stand/cabinet that was made for it and have not regretted it.

 

[Oldpath05]

I have that same brand and have had good service from it. I bought the stand/cabinet that was made for it and have not regretted it.

Sounds like you had the Smithy for several years, post a picture of it sometime if you get a chance. You ever tried making threads with it? That part sounds complicated, guess that's where those two belts are used instead of the one, then theres all those other gears to change, think it's above my pay grade.

 

[Oldpath05]

Well we didnt work on the lathe bench this weekend, my son was trying to get a order of cedar shingles out. And for me the blue sky and sunshine was to irresistible to work in the shop I just had to use the tractor instead, sure everyone knows whats thats like...............

 

[woody]

Sounds like you had the Smithy for several years, post a picture of it sometime if you get a chance. You ever tried making threads with it? That part sounds complicated, guess that's where those two belts are used instead of the one, then theres all those other gears to change, think it's above my pay grade.

Yes sir to best of my memory about 20 years and probably only used it a dozen times in the past 5 or 6 years. But when I need it I have it. I'll try to get some pictures soon.

 

[Reb954]

Looks like now your even further back in time to maybe 40s-50s on that super duty milling machine, it just has that antique look about it. Whats the ETA of getting all up and running? Tried to find pictures of it and heres the closes I found.

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That mill is the same brand as mine but it has the variable speed head where mine has step pulleys to change spindle speeds. Other than that they are virtually the same.

I found my model of lathe was built from the late 60's to the mid 70's and my mill was built in 1967.

Here is the mill head as of Saturday morning. Then by Sunday morning it was pretty much done. Notice in the sides of the upper head you can see the step pulleys where on the pictures you posted the sides are closed.

ETA just depends on how much time I have to work on it but I expect to take several more months as I am completely disassembling the mill, stripping off all the paint, repainting it and fixing any problems.

 

[Oldpath05]

Nice pictures guess I was way off on the years. I see there head difference also nice seeing ole machines fixed back up and always better when not desperately needed.

 

[Reb954]

Yup, I like to bring the old stuff back to life. It won't be as good as new when I get done but it will do everything I need it to do. And it won't cost me $20K either. I finished the ram, knuckle and turret. I didn't want to paint the bolt heads due to the paint chipping when I wrench on them so I used cold blue for firearms. Seems to work fine.



Now on to other parts.

 

[Oldpath05]

Very nice, thanks for showing your pictures I look forward to them, your getting more done then I am. Your paint job is good, battleship grey gives it that antique look are you bothering with primer first? If you was good with free hand a different shade of grey on the name would look nice, also great idea on the bluing is that something you already know how to do?

I dont suppose you would know what these accessory's are used for? I'm sure they have something to do with milling.

 

[woody]

look like collets to me and a center drill

 

[Reb954]

Very nice, thanks for showing your pictures I look forward to them, your getting more done then I am. Your paint job is good, battleship grey gives it that antique look are you bothering with primer first? If you was good with free hand a different shade of grey on the name would look nice, also great idea on the bluing is that something you already know how to do?

I dont suppose you would know what these accessory's are used for? I'm sure they have something to do with milling.
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No primer, the rattle can I am using says primer is included. I am terrible with free hand but my wife has offered to paint either the lettering or the background so we shall see. I think we will load a picture into a paint program so she can try different things to see how it works.

Cold bluing is pretty simple to do, just wipe the solution on, let it sit a bit then wipe it off. In this case I poured the solution into a small cup then dunked the bolt head into it. That made them darker and it worked faster. It was a lot easier and faster than painting them.

I'm guessing your picture is showing collets but if those are collets, they are a style I am not familiar with. I would guess they are a morse taper but I don't know for sure. Your spec book on the lathe may specify what type of collet it is setup for. It appears they are also coated with a rust preventative so all that will have to be cleaned off good before use. That may also revel some markings indicating what they are.