My new Flexispeed lathe

[richard3267Participant @richardrogalewski21509]

I bought this lathe after thinking it was like my father’s lathe and that I might learn what my father’s lathe looked like when unmolested.  I later found out that my father’s lathe is a MK1, and this is a type “Major”. It’s much bigger than MK1. Anyway, the chuck: I don’t think you use a key, but use a twist action by hand on the chuck. Of course, things are likely to be a bit seized up. I suppose I must use something on that chuck to free it up. It’s complete apart from the tail stock spindle. I removed the connecting piece between the spindle and the leadscrew.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I stand corrected … or at least ‘better-informed’

MichaelG.

[richard3267Participant @richardrogalewski21509]

This is the chuck. I’ve removed the back plate. I presume I hold the backplate fixed, and turn the outside collar anti-clockwise, to open the chuck jaws. Don’t know why there are holes in the collar on it’s outside.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

For tommy-bars

MichaelG.

[richard3267Participant @richardrogalewski21509]

One option I have is to restore the lathe for a collector. I suppose that faceplate chuck is as rare as rocking horse dropping?

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

…restore the lathe for a collector…

Yeah well… I don’t want to rain on your parade but….

have you got a lot of time hunting for bits or making parts?

have you got a lot of money for materials and parts usually sold at ridiculous prices on online markets?

have you the skills or even the machinery to restore it to factory condition of near as?

are you willing  make a financial loss and losses in kind even if you eventually find the said collector?

The sad fact is this lathe was a relatively low quality hobby item bashed out as cheaply as it possibly could be for a cut throat market in an manufacturing environment that had almost complete disregard for what the word quality actually implies. Either spend a bit of time and as little money as possible get it running to use as a learning exercise or move it on as is.

 

 

[richard3267Participant @richardrogalewski21509]

It’s almost original, it’s missing the original faceplate chuck and the tail stock spindle. If I messed with this and made changes to it, would anyone give a rats behind? Would I be seriously messing up doing that? Given what has been said – I’m thinking not.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

?? you’ve just shown a picture of the chuck. Do you have the second set of jaws for that chuck?
For the tailstock you don’t need a hollow spindle with a taper in it. Just measure it and get some bar of the right size which will be imperial and beware online suppliers that offer metric ‘equivalents’. On one bit of bar drill and tap for a small drill chuck such as one off a old old drill that will be threaded not a modern if possible.
Mostly all one does with a tailstock is drill. If you need a centre hold a nail in the chuck which will also hold a tap. You can fit a tailstock die holder to another bit of bar. It is normal practice to swap like this on watchmaker’s lathes.
Put the slow worm drive system back – it is a good solution as it is.
Jury rig the layshaft drive (wood is adequate).

You then have a working lathe with which you can make a 16mm or G1 loco or a clock or a steamboat. What’s not to like?

They are not collectors items.

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

It is not entirely clear how complete your lathe is, or what it is you want to do with it, therefore difficult to give relevant advice.

If the item is incomplete as as depicted in your photo, then it is missing most of its critical components and is of limited use. If it has all the slow running gear, leadscrew support, end cover, chuck etc, as depicted in the line diagram, then put it back together and use (assuming you do want to use it).

The chuck you show is the standard type lightweight scroll chuck, backplate mounted used on most lathes of this class. If you have the two sets of jaws, that would be good, Soak it in paraffin and give it a clean and regrease and sure it’l be grand. In any case chucks like this are readily available from the usual factors.

No idea what you mean by a ‘faceplate chuck’, if you mean the faceplate, as depicted in the line diagram, then yes you will struggle to find an identical one, but you might be able to find something similar that you could adapt (if you have access to another lathe to do the work on!).

Not sure what your issue is with the tailstock. Twirl the knob at the end to expose the barrel, if the barrel is missing, you would have to make one. If you are merely concerned about the hole in the barrel, that is likely to be for a No 0 Morse taper fitting. These can be obtained readily either as centres or as an arbour for a drill chuck.

[richard3267Participant @richardrogalewski21509]

OK, I’ve decided that whatI should do is buy a modern lathe and change the purpose of this Flexispeed “Major” that I sort of bought by mistake. I’m going to make it into a multipurpose tool, other than a lathe. I may start a new thread on that.

[richard3267]

On richard3267 Said:

It’s almost original, it’s missing the original faceplate chuck and the tail stock spindle. If I messed with this and made changes to it, would anyone give a rats behind? Would I be seriously messing up doing that? Given what has been said – I’m thinking not.

No, not messing up at all, which is why some of have mentioned using it as a learning opportunity, or converting it into a special.   This lathe isn’t a heirloom!  Doing the same to a Myford Connoisseur in perfect working order would be extremely unwise because it would wipe thousands off the value. This lathe is close to being scrap.

Flexispeed made a number of lathes after WW2, all cheaper than the famous Myford, which was an outstanding design.  Anyone who could afford a Myford bought one, leaving Flexispeed to the impecunious!   Flexispeed were fairly popular, but, although far from useless rubbish, they are distinctly limited in a general-purpose workshop.   Still capable of clock repair and similar work though, particularly as modified by your dad.  It’s amazing what skilled men can do with simple equipment. The Major is a step up from your dad’s machine, but still inferior to a Myford, and owning a Flexispeed conferred no bragging rights!

So an interesting lathe, but not particularly sought after and definitely not collectable.   I’d say a Major in perfect condition is inferior to a modern Chinese Mini-lathe, and worth much less.   Various reasons: lots of bother getting that type into action unless it comes with a countershaft and motor, and missing and damaged parts can cause big problems. Much TLC needed – not Tender Loving Care, it’s much nastier wicked uncle:  Time, Labour and Cost.   And it’s slow – top-speed 606 rpm, compared with an out of the box minilathe which might have an 1100W motor spinning the chuck at 3000rpm.

Someone with lathe experience, skills, contacts, and a suitable workshop is far better placed to tackle the restore this needs than a newcomer.  I advise don’t try unless using the work to learn, or making a start in the hobby when it doesn’t matter how long it takes to get a practical result.  And above all avoid if there’s any expectation that restoring the lathe will pay for itself.  It won’t!

What do you want the lathe for?  Plenty of people enjoy restoring old machines.  Though time consuming and hard to make it pay, it’s interesting with a great deal of job satisfaction at the finish.    Not for me because I make stuff for a purpose, but it might suit you!

Dave

 

 

[richard3267Participant @richardrogalewski21509]

This thread is probably finished, because I’m minded to repurpose that lathe. Thanks for the contrubutions. I’ve started a new thread under Workshop Tools and Tooling.

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