Hepworth Lathe copying attachment

[Deleted AccountParticipant @deletedaccount69088]

Hello,

I'm considering getting a Hepworth Lathe copying attachment for my Bantam mk1.

So I really dont want to buy a manual for something that I may not get. Besides I do not know which models fit or whether some thing can be adapted.

I really want to know how feasable it is to fit on a Bantam and I would like a manual even for a model that wont fit as it will give an idea.

[Deleted AccountParticipant @deletedaccount69088]

need a free manual or at least fitting advise

[Anonymous]

I've been using my hydraulic copy unit quite a bit in the last couple of weeks. Here's a picture of it in action:

Although the label says 'Colchester' it also says 'Hepworth' in smaller type. I 'think' that Hepworth made most of the units, even if they were then badged by the lathe manufacturer. My unit is mounted on a Harrison M300, 6.5" centre height. I don't know what size it is, but I think it's a 470/472? Previously I'd bought a 620 model and it was waaaaay too big to fit the M300.

There are some potential issues. Not shown above is the hydraulic power pack, ie, tank and pump, which is inevitably going to be 3-phase. Another issue is mounting the unit on the cross-slide. My unit came without a mount. However, since my cross-slide has Vs machined in the sides it was relatively simple to make up a clamping plate. Other lathes may be more of a problem. Another potential pitfall is the pattern mounting, shown here:

My unit came with the pattern holders, but without the pattern bar on which they slide. Again it's simple enough to make a pattern bar; the key is mounting it on the lathe bed. The M300 already had a machined surface with tapped holes ready for the pattern bar, presumably from initial manufacture.

Fitting and using the unit was described in MEW some years back (2010?), I can't remember which issue. I have manuals for the units, but only in paper form. Depending upon where you're based we might be able to come to some arrangement.

I hadn't posted about using the copy unit, as I didn't think it was appropriate, as it is pretty specialised, and only available for industrial lathes. For completeness here are the finished engine parts:

Andrew

[Deleted AccountParticipant @deletedaccount69088]

Andrew thanks for that very useful description. I think before I read your post I was just about to make a big mistake and get something way to large for my lathe! So now I'm going to do some checking.

The Bantams just over 5 1/2" so I think I'm one step down from you. I think I have mounting holes on the back so there is room for adapting.

I wonder if you would not mind doing some measurements when you can they'd be useful for working out the size. As a "yardstick" what is approximate the length (to the nearest 1/2" say) of the unit part that mounts on the cross slide? The distance between the two (presumably four total) mounting bolts on the cross slide shown in the first picture would be useful too, again no precision in measurement needed here.

[Anonymous]

The copy unit on the cross slide is 16.5" long fully forward and 19" long fully back. The four mounting holes are on a 61mm by 147mm rectangle.

If I am correct from a previous post you're in Royston? I'm near Cambridge, so just up the A1198. Feel free to come and have a look at the unit in the flesh.

Andrew

[Deleted AccountParticipant @deletedaccount69088]

yes that's correct I am not terribly far from Cambridge; might take you up on that kind offer once I find a suitably sized attachment – more research I think for now! The point about the 3 phase could be a potential problem if it requires 415v as I'm stuck with a VFD.

[Hugo DeRrickParticipant @hugoderrick68134]

Hi –

I can thoroughly recommend getting hold of a 'Hepworth' copier – they are a sublimely useful bit of kit.

Aside from the (infinite-ish) variety of standard copying duties, their ability to rapid-thread (with single & multipoint tools) is often overlooked – I also use mine in combination with a 'QuickStep' milling attachment for copy milling…

According my 1982 Colchester Lathes price list, the one for the Bantam (& Chipmaster) is the 'Hepworth 150', although according to my Hepworth brochure, the '310' was the smallest they made (suitable for lathes up to 13" swing) – either will be a better fit than a '472'.

WRT to the three-phase issue – you could always substitute a single-phase flange-mounted half-horse motor for the pump set's three phase one…

If you'd like a copy of the brochure (& a couple of pics of the thing in action), let me know your email address & I'll send 'em over.

H.

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

Andrew,

to refresh your memory, and in case "one pound" wants to look it up, a quick look in my index shows it to have been issue 167 in September 2010

 

edited to remove unwanted apostrophe

Edited By Robbo on 13/11/2016 19:58:11

[Deleted AccountParticipant @deletedaccount69088]

Posted by Hugo DeRrick on 13/11/2016 17:39:55:

Hi –

I can thoroughly recommend getting hold of a 'Hepworth' copier – they are a sublimely useful bit of kit.

Aside from the (infinite-ish) variety of standard copying duties, their ability to rapid-thread (with single & multipoint tools) is often overlooked – I also use mine in combination with a 'QuickStep' milling attachment for copy milling…

According my 1982 Colchester Lathes price list, the one for the Bantam (& Chipmaster) is the 'Hepworth 150', although according to my Hepworth brochure, the '310' was the smallest they made (suitable for lathes up to 13" swing) – either will be a better fit than a '472'.

WRT to the three-phase issue – you could always substitute a single-phase flange-mounted half-horse motor for the pump set's three phase one…

If you'd like a copy of the brochure (& a couple of pics of the thing in action), let me know your email address & I'll send 'em over.

H.

that'd be great thanks any info always useful or interesting.

This is a bit on the back burnwer at the moment since they are rather rare beasts but I'm not in a rush anyway.

On ebay a very good example had come up (and mostly bad) only they are usually off a mastif or similar – not realistic on a 5.5" Bantam!

Nevertheless Andrews measurements have been useful for gauging the size I need and now I have a model number or two this should make things easier.

[Author]

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