Member postings for Ray Ganderton

A Smart and Brown Sabel for £200! Has the decimal point wandered or is the buyer insane?

In any event, I would not worry too much: A similar motor from Machine Mart is less than £50.

Many thanks,

Base 10 metric is very simple but...and a BIG but!

As I grew up in an Imperial world my natural instinct is to convert metric to imperial and then

make a judgement. I have no feel for metric, which only time provides, and I haven't that much left!

Trying to respond to a classified ad. Have logged in but then what? Have a couple of postings but that's all.

Help appreciated,

Ray.

Hi to all members.

My name is Ray Ganderton and I live in Bedfordshire. It is quite possible that you have seen my surname before, attached to Richard (Dick). We are cousins and Dick is well known for his association with model railways.

My natural bias is mechanical engineering although I spent all of my adult career in electronics. My very recent return to lathe ownership came about by a 'very strong desire' rather than any 'need'. I have an old Jaguar and during recent tinkering I began to think a lathe just might come in handy. During my search for something appropriate, it became obvious that the 9" 'hobbyist' lathe market was virtually dominated by Myford. My previous association with lathes, however, was confined (excluding school Boxfords), to just one - A Smart & Brown 'Sabel'

My father owned one in the early sixties and it was on this machine that I leaned how to 'turn'. It was sold in the mid '70's and many cherished memories went with it. My target, therefore, became the acquisition of an Identical machine.

They were far from plentiful but, by pure chance, I came across one on eBay.

After a brief viewing I just had to have it. I was driven, almost, purely by the memories that it invoked.

It is now installed in my garage and an immense source of pleasure. I will probably

never make full use of it but that doesn't matter!

Been tastefully restored.

As requested.

Edited By JasonB on 25/08/2016 18:33:51

My father had a Sabel to help him with fixing old cars in the early 60's, and it was on this machine that I learned all aspects of small tool room lathe operation.

I even one a county schools award for making a model Diesel engine.

The lathe was sold in the early 70's and many memories went with it. Until very recently I had never wanted or needed the use of such a lathe, however..

My old Jaguar needs regular attention and I began to think a lathe could come in handy. Myford and Boxford were plentiful but my old Sabel was rare. eBay came to the rescue and I know have a beautiful example with a Norton box.

If I never use it in earnest, the momories it has evoked will be reward enough!