Member postings for Carl Dorling

Hi all thought would show my recent work on my mill project just using odds an ends of scrap so as to keep the cost low .

Yes it’s got potential I’ve had a new spindle made with myford thread and used a ML4 cross slide as a top slide as the original was missing also I’ve recut the half nut threads as there was very little thread left the lead screw is worn but it works the tailstock was also missing so I made one up using bits I had lying around just to get things going.

Hi all just wanted to share some pics of my dreadnought lathe no5 so I believe it’s one of the very first still a bit to do but I have made some chips on it.

Yes I have done this but it’s always a pain so as I had a collection of odds and ends I thought let’s have a go remember it’s just a mock up and would need stiffening up but I think with a proper X an Y setup it will work three phase motor and speed controller as good as a cheap bench mill

At the moment I have just the ability to rotate the slide but I intend to get something better on the table.

Oh I know but it has had a good life and was no longer useable as a lathe so I think it will with more work turn out ok for my needs

Hi all I have some left over parts from several ML4 projects and wondered if I could make a small mill out of it see what you think it’s just roughly put together

Edited By JasonB on 26/09/2022 18:09:52

Hi everyone, thanks for your input I have not had much opportunity to work on the lathe but have had a friend Tig weld the backgears missing teeth , it’s not pretty but it does function the next job is to modify the spindle to carry a. Myford thread .

Pics of the dreadnought

Thanks for all your input the 80 tooth gear I do have is a newish hpc steel gear so if I am correct I will need a 15 tooth to match it .

Hi all, I have a question my portass dreadnought lathe backgear is missing lots of teeth I cannot find a suitable replacement 75 tooth gear but I have a selection of 16dp gears one of which is an 80 tooth what gear would I need to mate to this if I decided to use this as my back gear .

Hi All, I have had a good look at the lathe and noticed more differences to all others I can find pictures of, it has a short rack and a different apron to others that and the headstock design plus the number 5 stamped on all parts leads me to believe this was a very early example so possibly quite a rare lathe definitely worth saving.

Sorry should be (thanks)

Thank Mick, that makes sense

Hi Mick, I have noticed several differences on my lathe compared to any others I can find photos of ,apart from the headstock split main bearings the leadscrew rear carrier is a separate casting not the same as others that are part of the bed casting ,this along with the main items of the lathe being stamped with the number 5 leads me to believe it’s a very early one do you have any idea when portass started making the dreadnought cheers

Hi Mick, the bed is stamped with dreadnought and all the parts have number 5 stamped on them I’m wondering if this was one of the first made due to the earlier headstock design.