Member postings for John Lapthorn

Just found this link......

**LINK**

I make this approximately 7 left of both models

Here's the smaller one

I made two of these from 300mm material and they took 3 days each. The third was made from 150mm material and took about 6 hours!! The 300mm material weighed approx 166 Kg each and the swarf weighs about 120Kg.

They are to hold up a balcony on a house. A 50mm round bar goes in the hole and the spigot on the opposite end of the cone goes inside a 10" pipe so when complete it looks like the balcony is supported on nothing! Architects for you.

BTW my lathe celebrates its 75th birthday on 25th October.........

Of course all the photos have posted last first and first last......The smaller piece of material is 150mm in diameter.

For those interested I do have a short video of the action but i dont think i can post on here.

Regards

John

Hi Chaps, its been a while...........

However, I am uploading some pictures of my 17" Covmac working....yes actually working! The material is 300mm x 300mm bright steel. Technically this doesnt fit in the lathe over the saddle so I had to do some lathe jiggery pokery to actually machine it. You may be able to see the clearance achieved over the saddle with the finished outside diameter. The lighter on the tool post is for comparison and the last picture is self explanatory, I hope.

Chris,

I found the date on the tailstock end of the lathe bed. Let me just say that I think its the date and casting number!

kind regards

John

Evening everybody

Here are some more photos of the 17" Covmac. The first one is the most interesting as I believe it shows the casting number "99" and the date 25 10 44. That means the poor old thing is 71 years old this year!

All I need now is a 127 metric conversion wheel and I gather a 40 tooth wheel to get another 14 different feed settings.

I must try and do an accuracy test over the full length between centres.

Regards

John

p.s. Brian, I have sent you a pm.

Hello Brian, here is a photo of the screw cutting / feed ratios, you may need to zoom in to read it all. I am afraid I forgot to take a couple of the gearbox so will do that after Easter. There is no metric table inside the gear cover.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards

John

Hi Phil & Chris,

Chris: No, I have never had it apart and I believe that the original colour was an off white. The current colour is called buff and was applied about 30 odd years ago by the previous owner. The surface/sliding knob is a modification made by the owner before the previous one. It is really handy as sometimes the knob can be quite hard to turn once the load has been on it for a bit. Pic to follow.

Phil: I am afraid I don't use it as much as I should. I do repairs to small ships and boats for a living so it comes in handy occasionally. I am in Kent.

For interests sake D & J Tullis Ltd manufactured industrial washing machines!

Regards John

Hello Everyone,

I have read this thread with interest. I have to admit that my main interest is that I would appear to own one of the THREE remaining 17" Covmac Lathes. Mine was built by D & J Tullis Ltd of Glasgow and is fitted with the usual "war finish" plaque.

Here come the pics...................

John