I have just become owner of a Colchester Triumph 2000 lathe. The oil level in the apron was low so topped it up to the correct level. After 2 days it was down to a low level. There should be a gasket between the apron and the bottom plate. At first glance I cannot see one, only possible remnants of what was possibly a silicon gasket. I have managed to take a photo and from the look of it it does not have the original apron base. There is a perimeter of bolts and then two odd pairs of bolts/screws. From what I can see of the drawings in the manual there is not as far as I can ascertain anything to be fixed to the bottom plate. Has any one got the same model of lathe and can take a look at the apron base and see if these extra screws are present. I am wondering if that was a piece of plate that had a couple of unwanted holes and the screws were used to seal them up.

It might be worth making a new plate from 3/16" or 1/4" aluminium plate and make a proper gasket.

It would be nice to know if these extra holes perform a function prior to removing the base plate.

See picture below:

Thanks,

Colin

I have the plate off now. They definitely do nothing now. They are just in the tapped holes with no sealant or anything. There is a very thin paper gasket but this had been replaced and then coated in silicon goo.

I have some sheets of 1/16" rubber sheet as used for flat roof's. I think I will make new gasket out of this and ensure that the 4 extra holes have sealing washers and a bit of silicon to seal them completely.

Colin