Sent lathe back

[Andy CarlsonParticipant @andycarlson18141]

I thought it was the locking pin for the swivelling headstock but I think that would be parallel, not tapered. Mine is missing so I dont really know what they look like.

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

It is indeed a locking/locating pin for the headstock. I think he meant the end is chamfered rather her than tapered.

[DellParticipant @dell]

Sorry yes I did mean chamfered.

[DellParticipant @dell]

Michael

the column is 1 1/4”

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Derek Allum on 14/01/2020 20:34:20:

Michael

the column is 1 1/4”

.

Thanks for the confirmation

… I now have to rack my remaining brain cells, in hope of remembering which enlarger it came from.

[ not that it really matters ]

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

If it's from an enlarger it is probably going to flex under heavy cuts as it will be relatively thin wall tube.

If this happens, it won't be ridiculously expensive to replace it, perhaps with a solid bar.

Might be worth beefing up the base board as well, I forsee much flexing when milling otherwise.

The lathe itself is a nice wee machine,some nice articles on accessories by Terry Gorin about four/five years ago in Model Engineer's Workshop.

Neil

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 15/01/2020 16:56:14:

……………………………

Might be worth beefing up the base board as well, I forsee much flexing when milling otherwise.

The lathe itself is a nice wee machine,some nice articles on accessories by Terry Gorin about four/five years ago in Model Engineer's Workshop.

Neil

For a substantial solid baseboard, check out your local kitchen worktop fitter, or ebay for a slab of granite kitchen worktop.
Slow to drill, but OK with a diamond bit, and cuts fine with a dry-cutting diamond angle grinder disk in a hand circular saw, though you do need to make a hole size adaptor for the blade.
That's why you bought a lathe isn't it, for making little bits and bobs as well as models.
Depending on the accuracy you need, it should also allow for sliding a height gauge round the base when setting up/marking out.

Bill

[DellParticipant @dell]

I Well I don’t seem to have any luck regarding lathes yesterday I got the chance to have a look at the lathe and I noticed that the live terminals were exposed as are the DC terminals and I was going to teach my grandson to use it, if he put his hand on there at the very least he would be sent across the room and at the worst it could kill him see pictures.

I have a friend who is an electrician coming to look at it next week ,as you may guess the seller doesn’t want to know so I have put it in the hands of Paypal, will let them sort it out .

That is the trouble with eBay nothing is checked as to weather it is safe to sell and in my opinion it is dangerous to have exposed 220volt AC and 220volt DC terminals exposed.

Dell

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

Simply looks like a missing cover.

Jim

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Frustrating as it is, Derek … that should be just a simple rewire job.

Let’s hope the previous owner was a better mechanic than electrician !

… Fortunately it does look that way.

MichaelG.

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

I know I'm a better engineer than electrician…..

[DellParticipant @dell]

Going to see what the electrician thinks next week .

the shaft bearings are shot as well but that is easy to sort .

[Andy CarlsonParticipant @andycarlson18141]

If it was me then I'd be sorting out the electrics to a point where I was happy with them. This is what I've done with three of my lathes (two from eBay one bought privately). It's delaying day when you can use the machine but once it's done it's done.

I'd be wanting an outer casing around those terminals, something like Hammond plastic project boxes from RS or similar. I'd want strain relief grommets on the cables where they enter the outer box so that if the cables are pulled the force is not baing taken by the electrical terminals. Also check the fuses in the plugs – 3A is probably plenty but all of mine arrived with 13A.

For bigger machines I'd want an NVR power switch and maybe an emergency stop button but I dont have either on my Unimat.

I've no idea where you stand if you want to complain to the seller or eBay. The discussion threads I've seen seem pretty rambling and inconclusive on this point.

Regards, Andy

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Wouldn't worry me at all – the connections just need to be covered, either with a insulated sheet or by putting the whole lot in a box. If that's all that's wrong with a second-hand lathe of that age, you got off lightly!

Can you let us know how this pans out with ebay and PayPal? Buying second-hand can be a minefield when it goes wrong, and it will be reassuring if this dispute is fixed to your and the sellers satisfaction.

Good luck,

Dave

[DellParticipant @dell]

The chap I purchased the Unimat lathe off decided to have the lathe back and refund my money, So I have bitten the bullet and purchased a Cowells 90ME ( I think I need to have a lie down).

i know I am a fussy sod but I wouldn’t be happy teaching my grandson to use it as I wasn’t happy to use it myself.

i still have the case open with PayPal as I haven’t got refund yet because I have only just sent it, but the fact that he has agreed that I can return it will go in my favour if I have to go back to Paypal .

i am looking for some accessories for it the shaft is 14X1.5 if anyone has a chuck lying around they want to sell please PM me.

Thanks Dell

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

[This posting has been removed]

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Derek Allum on 20/01/2020 19:14:33:

The chap I purchased the Unimat lathe off decided to have the lathe back and refund my money, So I have bitten the bullet and purchased a Cowells 90ME ( I think I need to have a lie down).

…

Thanks Dell

Hurrah, that's a good outcome. A hard-nosed seller might have held you to the contract, but this chap has done the decent thing.

Is this a new Cowells you've bought, about £3000 with no accessories? Quite a jump from a second-hand mini-lathe! Nice machine, please share how you get on with it.

Dave

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Derek Allum on 20/01/2020 19:14:33:

i am looking for some accessories for it the shaft is 14X1.5 if anyone has a chuck lying around they want to sell please PM me.

You would be better off looking for a M14 x 1 threaded chuck, anything else won't fit and you will have something else to send back. See Cowell's site for headstock details including spindle nose.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JasonB on 20/01/2020 20:41:51:

Posted by Derek Allum on 20/01/2020 19:14:33:

i am looking for some accessories for it the shaft is 14X1.5 if anyone has a chuck lying around they want to sell please PM me.

You would be better off looking for a M14 x 1 threaded chuck, anything else won't fit and you will have something else to send back. See Cowell's site for headstock details including spindle nose.

.

Depends on the age of the lathe …

[ I'm not sure what exactly you bought, Derek … but here is the early spindle ]

.

.

MichaelG.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

[This posting has been removed]

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by 34046 on 20/01/2020 21:04:58:

[…]

The Cowells from memory is 14 mm by 1 mm ?, but I stand to be corrected.

.

Bill,

Is now = Yes

Was always = No

See previous post

MichaelG.

[Raphael GolezParticipant @raphaelgolez]

Hi Derek, the 14 x 1.5 spindle is the old version. Did you purchased the Cowells lathe in ebay that was sold lately with an indexed back gear? It is a very good example of the earlier version. The problem with it is finding a M14 x 1.5 chucks. It also have a fewer speed range as evident in the motor pulleys.

I have the newer M14 x 1 spindle. It also have a full adjustable micrometers on all handle and a reversing switch with a start stop buttons. The advantage of the newer spindle thread is you can fit the Unimat 3 chucks which are very easy to get. I was nearly tempted to sell mine but decided to hold on to it as it hold its value well especially the M14 x 1 spindle. I was also selling my full Unimat 3 lathe with Milling machine and with motor which is an excellent example. I was so insulted when somebody offered me 30 GBP for it. I know his plans as he buys it and sells it a a chopped parts for extortionate price. I know how much this lathes worth and with a top condition it commands a good price. I pulled it out as it looks perfect on my collection display. Enjoy your new lathe!

Raphael

 

Edited By RAPHAEL VAL GOLEZ 1 on 20/01/2020 21:24:14

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

I know the guy selling the one on ebay and I have seen it in the flesh so to speak. It is definitely an m14x1.5 spindle. The lathe is in super condition, so if that is the one you have bought I doubt you will be disappointed.

And ive just seen it is now sold so take care of it because I know the owner was very reluctant to sell it!

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 20/01/2020 21:15:31:

Posted by 34046 on 20/01/2020 21:04:58:

[…]

The Cowells from memory is 14 mm by 1 mm ?, but I stand to be corrected.

.

Bill,

Is now = Yes

Was always = No

See previous post

MichaelG.

Agreed, when I bought my Simat in the early '80s it came with a 14×1.5mm spindle.
The 3 jaw and backplate came with it, but as I recall, I ordered the threaded body 4 jaw separately as an early Cowells type.

Bill

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I thought the ME90 that was said to have been bought is the newer version not the 90 that the spindle drawing is for.

[Author]

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