Identify/parts for a Swiss Metal Lathe

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

I am trying to identify this lathe I have just bought, it has a 'Swiss Made' and a mark, see pics.

Main reason for wanting to know is to look out for parts for it, particularly a tail stock centre and a drill bit chuck for the tail stock. Problem is

it only has a thread in the tail stock. I tried a bolt into it to check size, the bolt was 9.5mm thread (outer diameter) So I guess its imperial.

Might I have trouble getting any parts?

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

Identify and parts

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

9.5mm calculates as 0.374 inch, so I would vote for 3/8". Since the lathe is of mature years, the thread form will probably be Whitworth form. The pitch will decide whether it is BSW or BSF.

Hope that what follows is not "Teaching Granny to suck eggs"

With regard to the Tailstock Centre, a thread will not provide a repeatable centre, unless there is a register onto which it will locate. A taper, such as a 1MT would be far better) You can make a centre by taking a suitable piece of steel, putting in the Headstock (Firmly and accurately located0, setting the Toolpost over by 30 degrees, and turning up a centre. Whilst you are about it, make another for the Headstock, against the time when you need one.

If there is an obvious taper (chamfer) at the entrance to the tailstock bore, you could use that as the location, screwing the centre hard against it for a location, (But you need to have turned the centre with a similar chamfer at the headstock.  To ensure that the taper/chamfer at the Headstock end is truly on centre, you can either lightly trim it (if there is one) or make a "collet" for the Headstock. Drill and tap a piece of steel in the Headstock, and turn a taper / chamfer without moving the workiece.  You now have a location which is on the centreline of your lathe, that you can now use to turn the centre for the Tailstock.

For a Tailstock Drill Chuck, make up another arbor for the Tailstock, but with the correct thread, or taper, for the drill chuck. Chucks for Pistol Drills used to use 3/8 – 24 UNF thread, whilst the later ones (usually reversible drills) use 1/2 – 20 UNF thread. Chucks intended for use in lathes or Milling Machines usually have a Jacobs taper, (which one will depend on the chuck, and its size), which you will need to turn yourself, so you will need to experiment a little and test with a felt tip marking pen, or Micrometer brand blue. When you have produced a taper which is a good match for the female taper in the chuck, you clean everything, and fit the chuck onto the taper with a little endwise force, and you should then be ready to go!

Howard

Edited By Howard Lewis on 10/08/2018 19:30:16

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

Howard

Thank you very much for your detailed suggestions and advice.

I am unfortunately not advanced enough to carry out all of what you suggested, apart

from turning a centre for the tailstock.

Since posting this thread the person who sold me the lathe tapped the tailstock for me to 1/2 inch so

it would take a bolt/Drill bit chuck, hopefully this solves some of my problems if I can adjust the headstock a bit

to get it centred.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Barry,

Where are you? In UK? Whereabouts?

Possibly someone near would be prepared to assist you.

Howard

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

Howard

I am on the border of Monmouthshire and Herefordshire and be very glad of some assistance.

Im primarily work in wood and am mostly familiar with turning wood. Often small intricate things

and occasionally precious metals. So working any steel is guesswork to me and a bit scary.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Barry, you have a PM.

Metal is like woodturning, but different in various ways, and should result in more precise end products.

We all learn something every day, and this is your opportunity, so grasp it with both hands!

As long as you take care, a huge new world will open up to you, and there are LOTS of folk on here with experience to offer advice and help.

Howard

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

Howard

yes I have been trying, applying my woodturning skills combined with youtube videos but with

no joy as yet. Im not learning 'the hard way' with no results. I dont know if its my cutting tools/sharpening

and/or the way there set, speed, or my lathe is iffy.

[Barry SwerdlowParticipant @barryswerdlow47329]

sorry, just noticed you email and have replied

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