Member postings for Geoffrey Swales

At Dean Smith & Grace Ltd. earlier, short type cross slide gib slips, that were one screw adjusted (diamond shape in section) from the rear of the slide, were made of high grade cast iron. The later long type cross slide that had multiple cap screw fixings and grub screw wear adjusters were made of EN 3 or equivalent. The slips were supplied from stores in incremental sizes ( plus .010", .020", .030" and so on ) rough machined. The cast iron slips although more difficult to hold because of their shape, were by far the easiest to scrape. Steel slips were far more time consuming to scrape and fit and I was always disappointed with finish that could be achieved. All fixing screw holes and adjusting dimples were marked from the slide. Oil feed grooves were marked and grooved from oil nipple holes and varied in design from short vee type to long zig-zag type. Tightness should be firm, not tight and allow the slide to move with slight drag.

I'm with everyone else, don't change the motor - there's a lot of mass in a Dean Smith's headstock and it needs all the h.p. you can give it, even for light to medium work. Regarding the electrical control panel it shouldn't give you any trouble on machine of that age in fact on a machine of any age. In all the time I worked in Dean Smith's Service & Spares dept, I don't recall having problems with electrics on either Type 13 or 13/1. I do recall about eight years ago removing all the electrics from a 1952 built Type 13 that had been in 2 1/2' to 3' of water for a short while and after washing/removing all detritus from the panel/ motor, cooking in a industrial oven at 110 degrees for 72 hours, sticking it all back together, it worked faultlessly and still does. Quite robust these machines designed to run forever.

If you do encounter problems with your machine you can always give Dean's a call on 01535 605261 - always found them very helpful.

Regards,

Geoff.

Hello Nobby

I have a good quantity of worsted trimming wool as used in oil boxes etc. on full sized loco's. Will glady send you some?

Geoff.