Lathe needed for 10-1/4 / 7-1/4

[Ralph HParticipant @ralphh]

[Ralph HParticipant @ralphh]

I hope this may be a simple enough question but could anyone please advise what size lathe (at a minimum) would be needed to build an engine of say Britannia size in the above-mentioned gauges?

The largest part I can swing is 26" diameter by 9" long.

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

Posted by Ralph H on 28/10/2015 12:39:49:

The largest part I can swing is 26" diameter by 9" long.

.

I may be missing something but should the diameter and length be the other way round.?

Nick

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Probably the jobs likely to stretch the capacity of the lathe are:

Turning driving wheels

Smokebox ring

Possibly flycutting underside of chimney.

Neil

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

First look at the design and determine the two largest diameter items – the driving wheels and the smokebox to boiler joint ring.

Then there are some simple approaches.

1 Get a lathe that can turn these in the gap, it doesn't have to be able to turn them over the full bed.

2 Get a lathe you can afford and fits your space available etc and if it is not big enough for some parts find an evening class, Men's Shed, club with a machine shop where you can do the few big items. Even if you have to travel a long way to access this facility it could be cheaper that the full works.

3 Again get a small lathe but also look into how it can be temporarily enlarged with raising blocks under the head or by some add-on as has been published in ME occasionally.

4 Again small lathe but also a milling machine with rotary table.

5 Again small lathe but a combination mill like the Centec2b with horizontal spindle that can be also be used for turning, just not between centres.

Quick estimate: Driving wheels 6ft 6in. at 10 1/4 that will need 13in capacity.

Edited By Bazyle on 28/10/2015 13:14:19

[Ralph HParticipant @ralphh]

Thank you gentlemen and sorry for not replying sooner, the box to reply has been blank and not able to be typed into. Just reappeared somehow.

The sizes I give are correct – they are what can be swung in the gap of my largest lathe, see profile. It is 7 in. centres with 42 in. between them.

I assume your replies were hindered by this? but the 13 in. capacity looks promising.

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