Why do they do that,

Why do they put the handle on that side of the saddle apron?

Russell

Russell,

​I don't know, but is typical of lathe designs from the USA. Tongue in cheek of course, but could it be that the typical American machinist regarded himself as so macho that it didn't matter?!

Brian

Hello;

Left hand on the saddle apron and right hand on the cross-slide or top slide...? That's how I use my Blomqvist lathe (a South Bend clone).

Sverre

Edited By SverreE on 08/03/2017 17:02:23

Probably because having the handle nearer to where the tool is doing the work, on the headstock end, helps with the accuracy of movement on the saddle.

Michael W

Russell, its a crap idea isnt it. Whichever hand you use, its in the firing line. My DSG is on the left and so is the Hardinge. Designed by a masochist.

I was just thinking about the same subject the other day. I have a Myford S7 which is a joy to use, I also have a Boxford ME. which has the handle on the opposite side of the carriage, you are forever getting hot swalf on the back of your hand.

So you can twiddle the saddle wheel and topslide at the same time

So that when you've got your hand on the half nut lever screwcutting up to a shoulder (with buttocks clenched) you are out of the firing line. Having said all that I think it's rubbish as well, you don't do that much screwcutting, and when you do you don't produce that much swarf. Colchesters have the handle on the right, half nuts on left. Is it a UK/USA thing?

You never win, though. The handle may be in the right place on the Myford but lead screw clasp nut lever is not. That gets the swarf and even worse the cutting fluid.

JA

Cripes, and I thought it was an European thing! My Kerry and Emco lathes (i.e. 100% of my lathes) have the Handwheel on the left hand side.

(Not in USA, but close) John.

The Colchesters, and I believe, some others have the handwheel on the left on straight bed machines, and on the right on gap bed models, if the chips are burning you, use coolant, and if you get Doubleboosts "stringy bastards" use a chipbreaker type tool, it is not good to have a metal birds nest flying round the chuck, ask me how I know! It is worst when the hot ones fly up your rolled up sleeves and stick to your shirt! Also, when welding, take your watch off, and or wear gloves, I have a lovely little scar where a ball of weld metal jumped under my watch strap and stuck, and it was sore for bloody WEEKS!

Another reason to wear gloves when welding, keeps them clear of the ultra violet and infra red rays as well.

On a Harrison lathe I think you used to be able to order with the carriage handwheel on the side you wanted.

Because they expect the swarf to come off in a long string, not a bird's nest!

Viz :

.

That is because when the gap is out you also loose part of the rack bolted to the gap so a left hand handwheel runs out of travel.

It did used to be a US / UK thing as the 'mericans don't use gap bed lathes, they just rope off the other top corner of the North 40 and buy a bigger lathe.

However now with a lot of machines being made in China you can often specify right hand or left.

Robbo - Maybe it lets short-sighted operators like that one get closer to the cut.

Edited By Bandersnatch on 08/03/2017 23:08:52

I'll buy the idea that wheel at left keeps the more critical leadscrew half nuts away from swarf.

Neil

I have to be careful my Harrison L5 handle on left along with my Boxford but my Mitchell is on the right it also disengages so it does not turn possible as its a full wheel some 12 ins in dia

Yep, it's awful.

I have had the pleasure of running a Monarch DS&G several years back, and aside from having to acquire new reflexes, it was a delight. No burning bits landing on my left hand....