Wilson Slant Bed Lathe

[JC54Participant @jc54]

Good evening all. A friend who doesn't use the internet has just gained a Wilson Slant Bed Lathe, and a lot of other machinery. We have got the Wilson running but have no information on it. I have looked on lathes.co.uk, very interesting but did not have information that we required. What we really need is an operators handbook. Does anyone have one to spare or one that I can scan please? I have been told one is available for £40.00 which seems a bit steep. Thanks for any help that you can give John

[JC54Participant @jc54]

[JC54Participant @jc54]

Here are a couple of pictures of the beast.

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

What specific info do you need ? Someone on here might be able to help.

Not usually difficult to work out what controls do, so assume it’s some technical info you need.?

If you have a real desire to own the full manual, don’t really think £40 is out of the way, Tony is running a business after all.

Looks like a handy bit of kit.

 

Edited By Alan Waddington 2 on 08/02/2020 21:49:17

[peak4Participant @peak4]

I nearly bought one of these a couple of years ago, but was also committed to viewing an M300 the following day.
Passed on the Harrrison, and when I phoned back, the Willson had just gone.

I ended up with a Warco GH1330, after waiting/searching for a further 12 months, newer prettier, and probably more versatile overall, particularly in terms of speed range.
Still regret missing the Willson though, immense capacity for it's footprint.
Have you got the fixed steady to go with it?

Bill

[egaParticipant @ega]

I have a Willson (sic) of around the same vintage as your friend's and may be able to help with specifics.

I forked out for Tony's manual but you may find a cheaper version online. Most of us owe a debt of gratitude to him.

Mine came with travelling steady but not the peculiar-shaped fixed steady. I have knocked up an adapter to allow the use of a conventional fixed steady.

It looks as though your gear selector needs attention.

Is that a DRO above the headstock? Some photos of the installation would be welcome.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Is that a DRO above the headstock?

Appears, to me, to be a LED lamp.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

+1 for simply getting a manual from Tony. He does a very clean copy respectably bound. Way I see it £40 is fair given that he has it all to hand and can get a copy too you within a week.

I'm seriously considering getting copies of manuals I've already hoovered up off the internet simply to get better quality. Ones Tony didn't have at the time or I'd have just bought. Took ages to find acceptable versions! Heck I might even buy replacements for a couple of "tatty when I got them" factory ones. Yes I could scan, clean up, print and bind but, you know what, life is too short.

Clive

[egaParticipant @ega]

NDIY:

Thanks – I've now "seen the light"!

The slant bed might be an issue for anyone installing a DRO on the Willson.

[JC54Participant @jc54]

Many thanks for your comments. if the lathe was mine I would buy the manual from Tony but it is a friends. Doubt he will want to spend money even though he got all of the machinery for nothing.

EGA could you tell me exactly what the manual covers please and what do you suspect is wrong with the gear selector. As to the steadies etc we are still sorting out what he has got, boxes, tubs, racks of stuff. A full workshop in a container?? John

[egaParticipant @ega]

Posted by JC54 on 09/02/2020 10:49:03:

Many thanks for your comments. if the lathe was mine I would buy the manual from Tony but it is a friends. Doubt he will want to spend money even though he got all of the machinery for nothing.

EGA could you tell me exactly what the manual covers please and what do you suspect is wrong with the gear selector. As to the steadies etc we are still sorting out what he has got, boxes, tubs, racks of stuff. A full workshop in a container?? John

I'll PM you later today.

[egaParticipant @ega]

JC54:

PM now sent.

[JC54Participant @jc54]

EGA Many thanks John

[JC54Participant @jc54]

Just a quick follow up to the outcome of this thread. Willson lathe now making swarf and owner is going to invest in the manual from lathes.co.uk. Everyone calling him scrooge and skinflint may have helped. Many thanks to all who replied, especially ega for his help. John

[egaParticipant @ega]

JC54:

Glad to be able to help a fellow Willson owner; please feel free to post or PM if there is anything else I can help with.

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