A better lathe ….

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JasonB on 03/02/2015 17:45:55:

I don't think there can really be an ideal hobby lathe as the hobby itself is so varied what may suit one user would be completely impractical for another.

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Very true, Jason

I think Neil will need at least three 'Classes' for this competition.

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I don't want to make the competition so complicated it puts people off, the basic spec would be a machine a beginner can afford as a first machine tool but flexible and capable enough for them to want to keep it as their skill and ambition increases.

I'd like to follow the spirit of the original competitions, but though I have the three entries from 1947, there doesn't seem to be any result published! Also it was launched back in 1945, but for some unspecified reason (linked to sponsors Garners?) there was a big delay. Unfortunately In don't have any of the pre-1947 articles.

Can anyone let me have a copy of Percival Marshall's rules for the 1920 and 1945 competitions?

Neil

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

There's nothing in the ME, it was all done through Garners in 1945, and only a few people ever bothered to enter

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Well-found, Ady

Methinks Neil should start afresh with his rules for any 2015 competition.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Just found this, which may be of some interest to the Garner/Myford historians.

MichaelG.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Looks very much like Mr. Garner was trying for free designers.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Although I'm more of a tool / machine maker than a model maker, I wouldn't dream of attempting to design a lathe myself when there are so many excellent industrial products out there already, available for less than it would cost to make one. Like most MEs, I have only a very superficial understanding of any of the design considerations and decades (centuries almost) of experience.

Even then, I would struggle to design something that I couldn't realistically expect to see made either – and I'm not vain enough to believe anybody would do so. Most machine tools rely on heavy cast iron to provide the basic rigidity and core framework – this isn't something any of us could sensibly attempt, even if we understood how to design it. I suspect you'd have a very short list of entries….

Call me a coward but I'm happy to have a bun fight and vote for a favourite lathe, though!

Murray

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Thanks Michael,

I rather like the idea of giving people a completely free hand, then allowing readers to vote and choose the winner – from a shortlist, if need be.

Neil

[Phil WhitleyParticipant @philwhitley94135]

Quite agree Neil, but the question was "who's done it" not "who scribbled some ideas on the back of an envelope" Leonardo also sketched out the ideas for a helicopter, although not for one that would have flown very well, but it would have worked, there are however, no Da Vinci lathes or helicopters in the South Kensington science museum

Phil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 04/02/2015 12:06:13:

I rather like the idea of giving people a completely free hand, then allowing readers to vote and choose the winner – from a shortlist, if need be.

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Neil,

The readers' vote sounds fine; but I am less convinced by the 'completely free hand' … It's typically very difficult to pick a winner when you are comparing "Apples, Oranges, and Bags of Cement".

[noting your previously suggested scope] One possibility would be to allow free rein within a maximum 'space-envelope' and a maximum weight. … 'though I am sure there are plenty of others!

Now; a question: Would the 2015 competition be an academic exercise, or would it be 'sponsored' by an interested company ?

MichaelG.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Neil, have a look at the Hommel UWG site, about half way down is a special tail stock to extend the length available, just thinking of the Mega Adept conversion, you could get maybe 2" more between centres.

My mate with the private museum just down the street from me has a pair of cast iron machine bases, these things are a heavy box section about 5" sq x 30" long with a slot about 1 1/2" wide down the length, they look just like lathe beds……… Well perhaps.

Ian S C

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 04/02/2015 17:09:39:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 04/02/2015 12:06:13:

I rather like the idea of giving people a completely free hand, then allowing readers to vote and choose the winner – from a shortlist, if need be.

.

Neil,

The readers' vote sounds fine; but I am less convinced by the 'completely free hand' … It's typically very difficult to pick a winner when you are comparing "Apples, Oranges, and Bags of Cement".

[noting your previously suggested scope] One possibility would be to allow free rein within a maximum 'space-envelope' and a maximum weight. … 'though I am sure there are plenty of others!

Now; a question: Would the 2015 competition be an academic exercise, or would it be 'sponsored' by an interested company ?

MichaelG.

.

___^^^ ___

I had hoped this might prompt some further discussion … but all has gone quiet.

… any offers ?

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Yes – if I don't stop myself rising to your bait I will paint myself in a corner … this needs proper thought!

Neil

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 04/02/2015 17:09:39:

Now; a question: Would the 2015 competition be an academic exercise, or would it be 'sponsored' by an interested company ?

MichaelG.

Maybe Sofa World, Land of leather, etc

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JasonB on 07/02/2015 19:55:18:

Maybe Sofa World, Land of leather, etc

.

Miaow !!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 07/02/2015 19:14:13:

Yes – if I don't stop myself rising to your bait I will paint myself in a corner … this needs proper thought!

.

Understood, Neil

But I was also surprised to find no-one else joining-in with the discussion of Scope.

MichaelG.

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