Colchester chipmaster rebuild

[AdamParticipant @adam]

This is my first proper lathe. I inherited a Drummond m series from my grandfather as well as a kerry super 8 pillar drill. I restored the Drummond but I could not get on with it. So I sold it and got a Colchester chipmaster from a friend. It was completely covered in crap as it was stored in a barn but it was dry and seemed good underneath……

[AdamParticipant @adam]

As title

[AdamParticipant @adam]

How do I add a photo from my photo gallery?

[OldironParticipant @oldiron]

Hi Adam. Just click the camera icon & select a photo from your album.

regards

[David TaylorParticipant @davidtaylor63402]

I just looked through your album – wow! What a beauty.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Thanks everyone, I used a different web browser as the camera did not show

[AdamParticipant @adam]

This is the lathe in the barn. It was covered in all kinds of grime but felt good on the slides. 3 phase but could not test it but it was a very good friend selling it at a good price so I took it.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Also, all the serial numbers all matched and it came with a LOT of tooling (16 Dickson quick change holders) but only one 3 jaw chuck.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

It also came with a capstan attatchment which is in full working order. Just a little……. dirty

[AdamParticipant @adam]

I get by with a little help from my friends……. The buddy I got it from included delivery too. And a couple more mates and we got it into my garage with a but machinery jimmy and some elbow grease. Now to disassemble.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

I still could not test it so I figured id just disassemble it and see whats what. Its bloody heavy, reassuringly so. Oh yeah it also came with a fixed, and travelling steady.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

I Started by removing the larger components and started with the tailstock.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

I removed all the old paint with a wire wheel on angle grinder then used some filler to fill the larger imperfections. Then (after careful masking) painted white enamel. The handwheel and other components were cleaned on a brass wire wheel in the bench grinder.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Next came the carriage gearbox (cant remember the proper name). It was stripped to every last component and cleaned in a large ultrasonic bath.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

The part where you engage the power feed was a BA***RD to remove. Thanks to someone on here I got some advice. There is a hidden plug that needs to be removed.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Once out I found (much like all the components) it was covered in grease, oil and swarf. This was also thoroughly cleaned in the ultrasonic bath.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

All painted and reassembled and greased up. Nothing was repaired or replaced. It all felt tight and no real wear.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Next I removed the gearbox and made a start on stripping and cleaning it.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

The gearbox had clean oil inside and everything engaged well so I did not strip it completely but just clean it up and paint.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Next was the headstock. Again this felt good and the clutch seemed to work so I did not want to disturb. A lot of maskig and a lick of paint was all that was needed. oh and its seriously heavy!!!

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Next came the nameplates. I removed the scum and paint, then polished the brass before painting. Then used a blunt scraper to remove paint from the raised surfaces.Not perfect but a lot better than before.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Then came the variator. Possibly the heaviest component. It was greasy but looked good. I gave it a clean and topped up the oil to the specified level and using the correct Shell oil.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

Then I began on the ways. This was heavy of course but I managed in its set location.

[AdamParticipant @adam]

I then worked on some odds and sods and began work on the stand. A heavy thing and strong.

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