Boxford Lathe Big Bore Conversion

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Boxford Lathe Big Bore Conversion

This topic has 63 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 14 December 2020 at 20:00 by Niels Abildgaard.

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11 August 2017 at 17:58 #311512
Brian Moss
Participant
@brianmoss64697
Does anyone know if the commonly encountered Boxford lathes can be modified to increase the spindle bore from 0.75" to, say, 1" or even more?

I know that some of the later ones such as the VSL could be had with 38mm bores or thereabouts.
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11 August 2017 at 17:58 #13027
Brian Moss
Participant
@brianmoss64697
Big bore conversion?
11 August 2017 at 18:43 #311518
David Standing 1
Participant
@davidstanding1
The X10 series Boxfords (250,280,330, 10.20, 11.30 etc) have a 35mm bore spindle.

Would it be too forward of me to mention that my 280 is for sale in the classifieds?!
11 August 2017 at 18:45 #311519
Clive Brown 1
Participant
@clivebrown1
The OD of the extreme end of the spindle on my ME10 measures 1.050", That measurement is also the tooth root diameter of the gear machined on the end of the spindle.

A 1" bore wouldn't leave much metal there.

Can't say how close you would get to the bearing inner races though.
11 August 2017 at 20:14 #311529
Oldiron
Participant
@oldiron
I have asked Boxford this question and they said "Its not recommended to increase the bore of the spindle". I can measure a spindle from an "A" tomorrow and see how much wall there is. Cannot remember from my last foray into this subject.
11 August 2017 at 21:02 #311535
Nick_G
Participant
@nick_g
.

If it was a good idea then I presume Boxford would have done it themselves as a bigger bore is always a good selling point.

Nick
11 August 2017 at 21:09 #311536
Clive Brown 1
Participant
@clivebrown1
Further to my post above, a bit of googling suggests that the ID of the bearings is 35mm, or 1,379".

leaving about 0.188" for a 1" bore. A bit thin I'd think.
13 August 2017 at 13:55 #311791
Brian Moss
Participant
@brianmoss64697
Many thanks for all replies to my question. It looks as though there is no easy answer without a major rework.
13 August 2017 at 14:14 #311797
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Since the Boxford is a modular construction the bed runs right through under the headstock. Therefore you could make a new headstock from plate even a DIY aluminium casting, and fit it to the main part of the bed. Then line bore for your new selection of bearings. Moving it over to the headstock position should retain the alignment (assuming good condition bed). Probably worth basing it around the spindle of a 10" far eastern design if you can find one that has spares available. Would be an interesting article on MEW.
13 August 2017 at 14:57 #311804
Brian Moss
Participant
@brianmoss64697
Thanks for your very interesting suggestion Bazyle, I did wonder about doing something like this. I'm not too familiar with Boxfords but would it be possible to do something similar by obtaining a spare headstock and boring it out to take larger taper roller bearings and either obtain or make a suitably larger spindle. If suitable roller bearings are not obtainable would plain bearings be OK ? Could the bull gear and pulleys be bored larger to suit the fatter spindle?
13 August 2017 at 18:54 #311838
Niels Abildgaard
Participant
@nielsabildgaard33719
Been there,started but gave up.

**LINK**

Parts were to heavy for my old and wellworn back and the lathe where spindle comes from is cheap

https://www.hbm-machines.com/producten/metaalbewerking/metaaldraaibanken/metaaldraaibankensub/hbm-290-vario-metaaldraaibank

Edited By Niels Abildgaard on 13/08/2017 18:57:21
13 August 2017 at 20:38 #311856
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
If you have a one off, or occasional need for the larger bore then it might be better to find an evening class or club with the bigger machine. If it is more frequent then it is probably better to get the bigger lathe anyway. Although Niels may have some more info I'd be surprised if the basic headstock would have sufficient extra metal around to bore out.
14 August 2017 at 08:56 #311909
Niels Abildgaard
Participant
@nielsabildgaard33719
Although Niels may have some more info I'd be surprised if the basic headstock would have sufficient extra metal around to bore out.

There is lots of metal to bore:

**LINK**

The original front bearing is 76.2 mm dia and the new proposed is 90mm.
14 August 2017 at 09:17 #311913
John Stevenson 1
Participant
@johnstevenson1
Quite where it all fits in I’m not sure how to do it but my Orac has a completely new version of the headstock with D1-3 fitting
14 August 2017 at 18:40 #312018
Brian Moss
Participant
@brianmoss64697
Thank you Niels for your link to the Far Eastern lathes. I think the one which would suit me is similar to a Warco WM280V here in the UK, but the price is almost £3000 which unfortunately I am unable to afford. Anyway, I do enjoy a challenge and would like to further examine the modified Boxford idea. What bearing did you have in mind for the bored out headstock with an O.D. of 90mm? And which spindle would be available ?
14 August 2017 at 19:36 #312026
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Brian, Neils was directing you to the lathe that the larger spindle was sourced from as a spare part not suggesting you buy a whole lathe. Though the same 290 lathes are available with D1-4 mount which would be even better than flange mount.

If you wanted to stick with 1" bore then the 280 spindle would do and I think my bearings for that are about 70mm OD

Edited By JasonB on 14/08/2017 19:37:21
14 August 2017 at 20:27 #312038
Niels Abildgaard
Participant
@nielsabildgaard33719
Hello Brian

I bougth the spare chinese spindle plus unused bearings and a used Boxford headstock.

I have sawed the rear part of headstock away because I need no back gearing.My present backgear is only used for unscrewing chucks.

Putting headstock on saw made me realise that I was to old for lifting things.

I then realised that I could have a complete new lathe from Holland for 2400€.

I will stick with my much improved Boxford.

You can have the parts for postage and a gift to a dogs home

Edited By Niels Abildgaard on 14/08/2017 20:54:03

Edited By Niels Abildgaard on 14/08/2017 20:54:50
14 August 2017 at 21:25 #312048
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
JasonB

I have sent you a P.M.

MichaelG.
15 August 2017 at 00:03 #312070
Brian Moss
Participant
@brianmoss64697
Niels, I have sent you a p.m.

Regards,

Brian
15 August 2017 at 00:06 #312071
Brian Moss
Participant
@brianmoss64697
I should have referred to the Warco 290V in my earlier post and not the 280V; a slip of my typing fingers I'm afraid!

Brian
15 August 2017 at 00:09 #312072
Hopper
Participant
@hopper
Another possibility might be to take a look at the Australian made Hercus lathes, which like the Boxford, I believe, are a clone of the American South Bend 9" lathe. Hercus made a model called the 260 where they took the basic model and fitted it with a larger spindle supported in a larger headstock that sat the spindle an inch or so higher than the standard 9" lathe. Tailstock and topslide were fitted with thicker bases to match.

If they are all based on the South Bend dimensions, a Hercus headstock and spindle should fit your Boxford. If you google around there are plenty of Hercus parts available still. Here's a brand new headstock complete with gears etc and spindle for A$485. **LINK**

The fellow who runs the linked business is quite helpful and may be able to tell you if the 260 spindle and bearings could be fitted to a modified 9" headstock.

Edited By Hopper on 15/08/2017 00:16:54

Edited By Hopper on 15/08/2017 00:18:30
15 August 2017 at 09:43 #312101
Niels Abildgaard
Participant
@nielsabildgaard33719
Some pictures of parts for a proposed unification of modern chinese and obsolete british lathe parts.

The bearing distance will need some headschratching.

**LINK**

**LINK**

Edited By Niels Abildgaard on 15/08/2017 09:44:42

Edited By Niels Abildgaard on 15/08/2017 09:45:10

Edited By Niels Abildgaard on 15/08/2017 09:45:47
15 August 2017 at 09:56 #312103
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Brian as you say you only want 1" bore then rather than use the large 290 spindle like Neils if you could get hold of the spindle from a 280 then there would be very little machining required as that uses 38009 bearings which are 75mm OD x 45mm ID x 21mm W. so you would not have to machine the bearing dia just make a couple of thin shells to make up the difference.

Edited By JasonB on 15/08/2017 09:57:51
15 August 2017 at 11:20 #312126
Niels Abildgaard
Participant
@nielsabildgaard33719
Hello Brian

The post from Jason is very interesting and I want to delay my offer for sending headstock and spindle (that is clearly to big) for a feasibillity study.

It will be interesting for quite some if Boxford can be improved to one inch without having to rebore bearing holes.

There was another gentleman here from UK that had a spare headstock that he was willing to sell.

The Boxford standard Bearing holes are 76.2mm and 72mm.

Boxford spindle is 38.1 and 35 mm diameter bearing seats.

Can we on behalf of the waiting Boxforders ask Jason to measure or estimate the main length dimensions of his Spindle?
15 August 2017 at 11:22 #312128
Niels Abildgaard
Participant
@nielsabildgaard33719
Posted by JasonB on 15/08/2017 09:56:43:

Brian as you say you only want 1" bore then rather than use the large 290 spindle like Neils if you could get hold of the spindle from a 280 then there would be very little machining required as that uses 38009 bearings which are 75mm OD x 45mm ID x 21mm W. so you would not have to machine the bearing dia just make a couple of thin shells to make up the difference.

Edited By JasonB on 15/08/2017 09:57:51

Hello Jason

Do You have a link to the spare parts list and drawing?
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