Member postings for Mike Berry 2

Hi Chris,

did you get my private email?

Andy.

Hi Chris,

Now I understand the cut ... To be honest with you, I have no idea what it's for. I just know that it makes it more complicated to roll the lathe on the bars when moving it . The same cut is on my DL3 on both legs, just on the outside part of them. Really don't know the reason.

No problem, I can take detailed pictures of the change wheel compartment cover, as well as its dimensions for you. Just let me know.

Did you get my private email?

Andy.

Hi Chris,

The difference in our tool post is just a bit different accessory that our lathes were equipped with, based on demand. I have the old fashion, a single tool clamp because my tool post is the excetrical one which is very convenient for thread cutting. This specification didn't offer the ratcheting four position tool post, as you have. It just enables you a very quick move of the tool out of the cutting, returning back at the beginning of the thread (or anything else you're cutting) and then you engage it again. I have it pictured in the catalogue I told you about. Both our version are correct.

I don't know what exactly you mean by the curved cut-out ... Do you mean the cut below the lever next to the Pintsch Oel schield? The lever that changes the direction of the auto-feed shaft rotation, is it what you mean?

I was also trying to find some DL1s on YouTube, but I found only this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkE8J37mbJg. But this guy is Polish (99% - based on his name). Would you have a link to the Czech person?

Can you please send a picture of your plate saying DL1/3? That would be interesting for me to see your version.

Your lathe has also a little bit different the left bottom part with the electric switches. Your ones are on a separate panel, facing towards the operater, whereas mine are facing left and the panel is a part of the whole left leg. I guess Karger used to do some minor modification during the DL1's production life ...

Anyway, I will try to send you a private message with my email and I'll be very happy to share my material with yours.

Andy.

Hi Chris,

No worries. I'm happy to see the thread is still alive.

I'm posting some pics of my DL1. It's a barn find, oily rag condition, however, the general condition doesn't look bad at all. The ways are a bit rusty, but it can be cleaned without any greater effort (I've already tried it). There was a mulfunction on a cog wheel in the apron which supplies torque for the power feed. I've already made a new one (I think the original bronze wasn't too strong for the wheel, hence the grinded cogs, so I used alluminium-bronze alloy instead, which is really tough; it should be good now).

My plan is to do a complete overhaul of the lathe, painting (returning it back to the original grey colour), change all bearings and mainly scrape the ways (I need to measure it properly first though).

I think every DL1 really deserves some serious TLC as it's a really beautiful, well made and very precise lathe. I really love the machine.

Apart from this DL1, I have also a DL3 which is a big brother of our DL1. It's a very nice machine too. Heavy and firm, pleasure to work on.

I definitely do not want to claim that I know a complete history of Karger company (which I really don't), but my knowledge tells me that Karger was nationalized after the II. WW, since it fell into the Russian ocupation zone and was turned into a WMW company - an Eastern Germany company. As far as I know, Karger didn't exist after the WW II anymore.

I really think that your Karger DL1 is a pre-war machine. Do you have any production plate on your lathe telling the year of production?

My DL3 is in fact a Karger DL3, but it was made after the war, in 1953 (it has the plate), but it's already full WMW product. It looks exactly the same as a pre war Karger DL3 though. They had just changed the badges, and that was it. Otherwise any respective part of the lathe is completely interchangable with the real Karger DL3's parts. It even carries a similar name: WMW DL3.

I can offer a Karger's production catalogue in PDF format, if you were interested. It's a catalogue from right before the war. I'd be very interested in DL1 user's manual. My catalogue describes DL1 generally (dimensions etc), but it's not a manual (no maintanance instruction etc).

I'm up for setting a Karger club up! Count me in!

Andy.

Hi Chris,

I've just found this forum and to my surprise even somebody who owns a Karger lathe ... Better off, a Karger DL1.

I own the same Karger DL1. I have some general Karger lathes material which might be interesting for you. I'd be very happy to share some experience and some general knowledge regarding our DL1s.

Regards,

Andy.