I finally have a Lathe Project...

[kquiggle]

This may be too obvious a suggestion, but: Take lots of pictures!

Take pictures before you take something apart, so if you get stuck putting things back together you'll have something to refer to.

Take pictures before and after cleaning, and then after painting (when painting is appropriate).

There have been a few times when I have dived into restoring something and then regretted later that I didn't have "before and after" pictures.

And I know everyone on this forum will enjoy seeing the pics.

or a Project Lathe...

I just made a deal with a friend of mine to get an old lathe he has. The lathe itself will be a project and I hope to drive everyone batty with questions.

Starting with. What kind is it? What size? What else can anyone tell me about it. I will be picking it up next week and posting more photos as I go along.

Thanks in advance.

I see many hours with a wire brush ahead of me.

"G"

 

[gmiller]

"G"
Thanks for the pictures. I will be anxious to see the finished project. Keep us posted.
Greg

 

[ConductorX]

I jumped right in and started with the headstock. The three jaw chuck came off so easy I was totally surprised.
I did manage to completely disassemble the entire lathe.

Actually all of the bolts came out very easy. I soaked the entire late down with PB Blaster last week. I photographed every bolt just about. These bolts are too long to remove from the opening unless both bolts are completely free of the casting.

Once the four bolts were out the headstock came right off.

More to come... Happy Easter everyone.
"G"

 

[Tin Falcon]

you are scarring me seeing the parts siting on the ways . protect those ways from getting chipped hard steel against hard steel can chip.
get a piece of wood make a tray. Sorry pet peeve of mine.
Tin

 

[kquiggle]

Nice! Keep those pictures coming.

 

[ConductorX]

you are scarring me seeing the parts siting on the ways . protect those ways from getting chipped hard steel against hard steel can chip.
get a piece of wood make a tray. Sorry pet peeve of mine.
Tin

I told you I needed guidance. Of course I did not drop or get rough with any parts near the ways. A tray is a good idea. Thanks,

"G"

 

[ConductorX]

The Turret was held on with four allen head bolts. The first two came out very easy and the second two required me to remove the upper carriage. You can see those two bolts in the second photo.

The allen wrench is just too big.

I removed the two plates on either side of the carriage.

The carriage easily lifted right off. I did not try to remove hexagonal block that holds the tools from the carriage. That is for another day.

Now you can see the under side of the carriage.

and the top of the turret plate under the carriage.

Now I removed the last two allen bolts.

Old debris stored under the turret.

More to come when I tackle the carriage.
"G"

 

[Tin Falcon]

Of course I did not drop or get rough with any parts near the ways.

your ways look like the are in good shape just trying to help you keep them that way. when you get the lathe done or maybe before make a wood cradle for your chucks. that way there is something to catch the chuck when removing it. and on a long bed lathe it is tempting to sit stuff on the ways behind the tail stock hence the wood tray idea.

This was also a pet peeve of a former co worker. All of my dealings with him have not been positive but he did teach respect for machines especially the ways. They are the heart and skeleton of a machine tool.

My lathe spent the first 67 years of its life teaching engineering students at the University of Pennsylvania and has been helping in my hobby shop for 9. there are very few dings on the ways yes a few one of which was my fault. I slipped with a hack saw. Ouch that hurt. If you do get a ding take a oil stone and knock down the high edges off the crater leave the low area to hold extra oil.
Tin

 

[ConductorX]

Last but not least is the carriage and related parts.

The gear box is driven by the head stock and has two levers used in combination to select various threads. (I am making a SWAG here.)
It only has two bolts, I removed the gears already to get the headstock off.

This end stop only had a big nut / bolt underneath and easily came off.

I started taking bolts out of the saddle.

Some allen head bolts just won't co-operate. I used my vise grips and the allen wrench to get this one out. Neither tool would do it alone.

This allen bolt would not come out. Turning the wrench only ruined the bolt. I will have to come up with a new plan for this one. I am thinking of using my welding machine and welding a nut to the head then removing it with a wrench. The heat should also convince it to break free.

After much frustration I managed to remove the saddle with the taper attachment still attached. I also removed the apron with the gear box and lead screw still attached.

Finally after all of that I removed the supports from each end of the ways. The ways are still too heavy for me to pick up alone. Looks like this week I'll be buying an engine lift so I can move the ways indoors with the rest of the lathe parts.

That is all for now. Hopefully my shop will be built next week and I will be ready to start my restoration.

"G"

 

[Lockstocknbarrel]

This may help and inspire you .
One for sale on eBay lots of pictures.
Regards Dave.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROCKWELL-CA...h=item1e753a516e&ssPageName=RSS:B:SHOP:US:101