Boxford Dimensions

[Mark DickinsonParticipant @markdickinson21936]

[Mark DickinsonParticipant @markdickinson21936]

Can any one out there tell me the depth, front to rear of a Boxford A type with the motor behind the lathe? I need to know if I can get it through a doorway without removing the motor.

TIA

Mark

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Hi Mark,

 

Is it on a stand? I have one and will check in the mornng if no one else answers.

 

Regards

 

Terry

[Mark DickinsonParticipant @markdickinson21936]

Thanks Terry,

 

Yes it’s still on the stand. I’m hoping to get it moved on one lump without having to take bits off.

 

Mark

[_Paul_Participant @_paul_]

My stand mounted 1953 vintage Model “A” measures 26 & 1/2″ from countershaft pulley to gearchange lever (it’s widest point).

 

Taking the countershaft off (2 allen bolts) should reduce the width by around 3-4″ can’t do much at the front to reduce the width as you have the gearbox and it’s levers in the way.

 

It’s not that great a task to remove one of these from it’s cabinet seven bolts and it’s off, if you wanted to strip further it’s relatively easy to remove the tailstock then the saddle (remove leadscrew bracket and slide off).

 

Removing the gearbox and leadscrew is nothing more than 5 allen screws but easier with an extra pair of hands to support.

 

Fiddliest part is the headstock front bolt I ended up bending a couple of spanners to do this.

 

Good luck

 

Regards

 

Paul

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Hi Mark,

 

If the rear belt guard is fitted it’s an easy job to remove. Remember the belt tension device releases the tension on the belt drive to countershaft and will allow you to pull the motor mount towards the lathe and tie in place. If you remove the large countershaft pulley wo gain extra room, remember that Boxford put two grub screws in the boss usually. The first one to lock on to the shaft and the second one to act as a lock screw on the first one, rather in the mode of a lock nut. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking there is only one screw as a friend of mine did. He removed the first screw and the pulley wouldn’t shift. He was a ‘doer’ rather than a ‘thinker’ and instead of taking time to investigate, thought that the pulley was stuck on a burr so he took a heavy mallet to it and managed to get it off, but it was one badly damaged pulley.

 

Best regards

 

Terry

[Mark DickinsonParticipant @markdickinson21936]

Terry / Paul,

thank you for your help. Stripping the lathe down is a last resort. I have managed to borrow a Transit pick up with a tail lift, and a pallet truck to move the lathe. The plan id to lift the lathe onto a pallet using an engine hoist, strap it down. Load onto the Transit and strap down some more. Then home we go…

 

In the words of that irritating meerkat “shimples!”. I mean what could possible go wrong?….

 

ahaha ha ha… (do they have a smiley for nervous twitch?)

 

I will off course be taking my full toolkit with me, which no doubt won’t have the one spanner I will really need. Am I right in thinking I’ll be dealing with a mix of AF and Whitworth sizes on a 1950 vintage lathe?

 

Mark

[,Participant @nousername29627]

Hi Mark,

My 1985 Boxford has Whit, AF and Metric bolts/nuts and also several Allen bolts (Metric and AF) Also there are several bolts with horible 12 pointed heads that only a ring spanner will fit. And before anyone asks it hasn’t been ‘rebuilt’ or messed with in any waty because I bought it from a good friend who had it from new.

As to what is holding yours together……………. – take everything you can!

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Hi Mark

 

My Boxford of the same vintage as yours had all Whitworth threads and bolts etc

 

Terry

[_Paul_Participant @_paul_]

Mark,

 

Mostly BSW with a smattering of BSF and BA no AF.

Some Whitworth spanners and perhaps an imperial allen set should do.

That said the machine could be bolted to the cabinet with anything, mine has 8mm bolts.

 

I normally take a box full of tools and never really use them, but you can guarantee the day I dont take them…..

 

If your keeping it together the things are quite top heavy, also when slinging/lifting the machine take care to avoid bending the leadscrew.

 

Regards

 

Paul

[Mark DickinsonParticipant @markdickinson21936]

Thank you all for your advise, I collected the lathe today. I ended up taking the lathe off the stand and removing the countershaft off to get it through the door. The countershaft caused a little head scratching to start with as it has a clutch on it and I couldn’t see what needed to be removed to get the belt free, but I got there in the end.

Guess who forgot his allen keys though…

 

Off to read all the literature that came with it, I have the original test certificate dated 30/10/1952 and what looks to be a full set of assembly drawings for the major components

 

Mark

[_Paul_Participant @_paul_]

Mark,

 

A clutch youre really lucky, is it a Boxford item?

 

If you are in the mood for a read here are links to the Boxford & Southbend Yahoo Groups (If you dont already have them ).

 

 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BoxfordLathe-UserGroup/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbendlathe/

 

Regards

 

Paul

Edited By _Paul_ on 26/03/2011 22:54:11

[Mark DickinsonParticipant @markdickinson21936]

I was told the clutch was fitted as a special order when the lathe was originally purchased. It looks the same as the Myford clutch, but it’s definitely a Boxford countershaft assembly (as far as I can tell) It’s all reassembled now and working. I need to level it off, however I’m considering lifting the lathe by about 1 1/2″ as I was finding I was stooping a bit to use it.

 

Mark

[_Paul_Participant @_paul_]

The only pictures of a clutch on a Boxford I have seen it looked exactly like a Myford item, I assumed at the time someone had modified a Myford unit to suit.

I wonder if both Boxford & Myford had a common supplier or designer at some point.

Paul

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