Stedall lathe

[sean logieParticipant @seanlogie69385]

Posted by mark smith 20 on 04/10/2016 13:25:36:

looking at your measurements you put up in the albums ,i would just go with a CN -normal fit.

The mill i`m currently restoring had two large R &M open cage from the 1950`s in the vertical head . I was going to change them but i think i will leave alone for now as they don`t seem too bad once cleaned thoroughly and repacked with grease. One place wanted £30 = VAT each to replace with original old stock.

Another 5 piece thrust bearing in the head had a rusted lower race and balls , same place wanted £160 with delivery for a direct replacement . I found an identical sized old stock 3 piece thrust by same maker (Hoffmann) for £20 on ebay and used 2 parts of it for replacements and it works great . Saved myself £130.

I was looking for a T-link belt ,tried a local place in Inverness and they wanted £53+ vat for a meter ,i payed £12 of ebay . I went to the place in inverness just to check it out and it was the exact same as what i bought …. some people are crazy with their pricing .

Edited By mark smith 20 on 04/10/2016 13:26:00

Edited By mark smith 20 on 04/10/2016 13:34:18

[sean logieParticipant @seanlogie69385]

I've ordered the bearings ,their about a mm wider ,don't see that being an issue .

Sean

[sean logieParticipant @seanlogie69385]

Whilst i'm waiting for the bearings to arrive ,I've partially built the lathe so i can use it without the power feed and i've i'm having quite bad chatter even with light cuts . The chatter's not so bad close into the chuck but further out is when it's at it's worse . Hang out is about 4" material is steel of about 50mm OD . Is that too much hang out or could it be that my headstock bearings are worn ,can't feel any play and they seem to run smooth on it's own . Another reason i was thinking ,could it be chatter coming from the carriage . Obviously i had the carriage stripped off to get the lead screw out to get the quick change gearbox out .Strange thing is the lathe is still cutting very accurate .

Sean

[sean logieParticipant @seanlogie69385]

I ordered the bearings midday yesterday from Simply bearings . Bearing in mind (no pun intended) i live way up in the north of Scotland … They just arrived …. i'm amazed at the speed of delivery ,we usually have to wait days sometime a week or so for stuff ordered of the net .

Sean

[sean logieParticipant @seanlogie69385]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 18/09/2016 18:59:01:

Obviously not the [thread chasing] one I wondered about

But it looks very well worth restoring

Well found, Sir.

MichaelG.

I'm not sure what you mean by "thread chasing version " Michael

It has a thread dial on the tailstock end of the apron .

Sean

[sean logieParticipant @seanlogie69385]

That’s the fortis new home nearly done ,should have a bit more elbow room …. totally exhausted tonight. ….

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by sean logie on 07/10/2016 09:02:45:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 18/09/2016 18:59:01:

Obviously not the [thread chasing] one I wondered about

But it looks very well worth restoring

Well found, Sir.

MichaelG.

I'm not sure what you mean by "thread chasing version " Michael

It has a thread dial on the tailstock end of the apron .

Sean

.

Sean,

The comment dates back to before we knew it was a Fortis in disguise;

Have a look at the pale green one on a stand **LINK**

http://www.lathes.co.uk/stedall/

… That's the thread-chasing version of the other Stedall.

MichaelG.

[Robert HamlinParticipant @roberthamlin85683]

I have two of these machines, one very early and one very late, and contributed quite a bit to the lathes website. What is VERY unusual about this machine is that it has its clutch actuating lever and mechanism in place and functioning. I have never seen one, and I have been looking for about 15 years. Can you post some pictures diagrams?

This does of course mean that it is very likely to cause you grief! The Fortis clutch is based upon the earliest Clausing 100 clutch, and were fitted to all Forti as standard. In every case that I have encountered (both early Clausing and Fortis) the actuator has been removed – This suggests something, as does the relatively short time that elapsed before Clausing redesigned theirs. Fortis never did.

[sean logieParticipant @seanlogie69385]

Posted by Robert Hamlin on 09/10/2016 12:17:38:

I have two of these machines, one very early and one very late, and contributed quite a bit to the lathes website. What is VERY unusual about this machine is that it has its clutch actuating lever and mechanism in place and functioning. I have never seen one, and I have been looking for about 15 years. Can you post some pictures diagrams?

This does of course mean that it is very likely to cause you grief! The Fortis clutch is based upon the earliest Clausing 100 clutch, and were fitted to all Forti as standard. In every case that I have encountered (both early Clausing and Fortis) the actuator has been removed – This suggests something, as does the relatively short time that elapsed before Clausing redesigned theirs. Fortis never did.

Would photos do Robert . I have some time into setting the clutch up ,there's a fine line between it running right and wrong and the line is very thin . I'm still getting to know my Fortis and finding out all i can . At the moment i'm trying to find a saddle threat nut for it . Any chance to see a couple images of yours . Oh….and can you determine if mine is an early or a lathe (i keep meaning to research the serial numbers on mine)Good or bad i'm delighted with it  . 

 

Sean

 

Edited By sean logie on 10/10/2016 19:27:25

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