Drummond lathe.

[Andy Spence 4Participant @andyspence4]

I have just recently got myself a Drummond lathe I think its the pre m type or the knee planer. Is there such a thing as a user manual for these old machines? I need to find out how to work the change wheels and the feed screw as I think that it may be stuck as its not moving. Any help appreciated.

[Andy Spence 4Participant @andyspence4]

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

Andy,

May be a good idea for you to join the Drummond Lathes Yahoo User Group. Their files section may have some useful info.

Go to **LINK**

[Andy Spence 4Participant @andyspence4]

Thank you Robbo for the link.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

There isn't a user manual or parts diagram for these old lathes like the ones for the modern far eastern machines. On the Drummond site you will find a sort of brochure with a few pictures of the lathe in use to show possible set-ups. There is also a copy of the 'Know your lathe' book which will give you an idea of how to use one.

Can you find it on the lathes site? Never heard of a 'knee planer' in relation to a lathe.

Have you moved on from the round bed? Try and work out how to post a picture on this or the yahoo site as it will help us to help you. If you can undo a few of the nuts around the change wheels, pretty much any of them, you will release the leadscrew from the main spindle and can see which / what does move.

[Andy Spence 4Participant @andyspence4]

Bazyle

I never really started with the round bed, put it at the back of shed and just left it to be honest still have it. But I got this other Drummond lathe a couple weeks ago and it is all set up and ready to go. I bought it at an auction house and dont know any history to it.

I have managed to get the lead screw working just fine it was me that was the problem. Only issue with that part of it is that one of the change wheels manages to slowly work its self out. The sort of pin that holds it in place just seems to slide out with change wheel.

I will try and get some pics up asap.

[Andy Spence 4Participant @andyspence4]

[Andy Spence 4Participant @andyspence4]

Sorry if pics are too big as this is my first time posting pics. Oh and please excuse the state of my shed.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Bazyle,

I think it's the exposed gear teeth on the treadle flywheel that makes it a "knee grater" when under power.

Andy,

Really nice, interesting lathe. Those M types are very attractive.

Have fun,

Rod

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Interesting very early Drummond on ebay at the moment. **LINK** If only I had room

No connection etc.

Rod

[bodgeParticipant @bodge]

Interesting very eariy Drummond on ebay at the moment. Cheer up Rod ,looks like the back gear assy is missing and i dont see any change wheels to go with it ,also no counter shaft assy no chucks and the face plates not right either

bodge

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Bodge,

Indeed, but apart from that….

It always disturbs me to see a motor connected directly to the spindle – suggests a very hard life for the bearings.

Rod

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

hi andy,

a very good lathe! the old flat bed Drummond was excellent. Prof Dennis Chaddock had one as did the late W A (Bill) Carter both of the SMEE and produced the most outstanding perfect precision work on both. Bill's 5"g LNER Atlantic and 5"g GWR 'Dukedog' both won the Gold medal and Duke of Edinburgh cup at the ME exhibitions.

my old late friend Freddie Dinnis on the IOW also had one.

cheers,

julian

[bodgeParticipant @bodge]

Rod

My sentiments are the same, does kinda make one wince a bit ! I have one of these old Drummonds so i have a bit of a soft spot for them, plus i like the older type of machines, nice to get them going again, i made up a Myford style arrangement , as in motor and counter shaft hanging of the back, belt slip clutch , and kitted it out with one of those lever scroll chucks, all runs very nice.

bodge

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Maybe a bit dumb, but why the gear teeth on the flywheel? Maybe this is not the original FW, but one from an IC engine with a starter ring gear!

Ian S C

[Keith LongParticipant @keithlong89920]

The gear teeth are original, if you check out this link on the lathes.co.uk website you'll see about half way down the page the "knee planer". The drive from the motor to the flywheel was by way of the gear teeth rather than a belt, the motor drove through the treadle drive flywheel while keeping all the mechanism in place. I think the "knee planer" idea came from the likelyhood of belting your knee on the motor or it's bracket while you were treadling. Make sure you send Tony pictures of your lathe as it looks to be a rarity being complete.

[Andy Spence 4Participant @andyspence4]

Keith Long

I contacted Tony about a week ago saying I might have a "knee planer" and asking for some info on them but havent heard back.

[Steve PapworthParticipant @stevepapworth83993]

Julian

You are right that the Drummond M is a great lathe. As you know, I also have one, albeit with some modifications.

Prof. Dennis Chaddock's one was somewhat special, being an Admiralty spec, which included a power cross-feed. I think that this can be seen in some of the pictures accompanying his articles in ME. Probably the Quorn ones.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

That's an interesting drive for the motor, I didn't see it that way. Today IF you were to design something similar, you would use a much lighter, modern motor sticking out the other side of the flywheel if you had to do it that way.

Ian S C

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