By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

yet another lathe ID ?

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
john carruthers22/10/2015 08:56:10
avatar
617 forum posts
180 photos

Poly V belts would certainly be a more elegant solution, but the deed is done.
I think he was swayed by having a tea chest full of old V pulleys.

Muzzer13/11/2015 16:06:16
avatar
2904 forum posts
448 photos

Just found some photos of my Portass S being restored. As I said, it's eerily similar to the OP's photo. If you look closely at the top of the first photo you can see a pushchair wheel (sans tyre) and pulley which I used as a temporary countershaft. I later use the smaller pulley mounted directly on the spindle to allow me to machine Vs into the flat pulley.

The faceplate slotting (using hand held drill and files) is almost completed in the bottom picture. I ended up mounting it on wooden blocks, raising it about 4" above the steel chip tray. I left the tailstock bolts fairly loose to avoid twisting the bed. Probably not really necessary but seemed like a good idea at the time. Next I made a sensitive drilling machine from steel sections (hacksaws, drills, taps and the lathe) and later a rack feed head for it using a Morris Minor steering rack.

Nowadays I prefer to buy the tools and make stuff with them but I was brassic then, being 14 at the time, so had to make and mend my own tools. The lathe cost me £14 - this would be the mid 70s.....

Murray

Portass S before

Portass S parts

Portass S almost finished

john carruthers13/11/2015 16:19:43
avatar
617 forum posts
180 photos

Thank you for the pictures Murray, they will give him something to aim for and make a good reference.
After a thorough clean and inspection it looks like it has never been used, or if it has then for very few hours. The headstock bearing brasses still have the 'cross hatching' inside and there are obvious scraper marks showing on the bed. All the arises are clean not a dink on it.
Could be as late as the '50's?

Muzzer13/11/2015 18:19:06
avatar
2904 forum posts
448 photos

I have an advert from 1914 that appears to show this model. I believe the price was 1 pound 15 shillings(??). I didn't think they sold it as late as the 50s but I'm not an expert on that.

Sounds as if yours is a fine example and hardly used. If you were to look at mine in the flesh you'd see that it had had a fair bit of use. Still worked adequately for my purposes...

Murray

Muzzer13/11/2015 18:19:06
avatar
2904 forum posts
448 photos

Double post

Edited By Muzzer on 13/11/2015 18:22:47

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate