Colchester Bantam MK1 - Old, but New to me.

Looking good!. Like mine, the bottom shaft that runs along the front of the machine is missing. That would have had a lever on it at the apron to start and stop the machine.

Have you got all the manuals etc now? Now you have to start collecting all the other accessories for it. Keep your eyes open on ebay, homeworkshop etc!

Murray

Looks worth the effort! Well done.

Neil

Looks good now, time and money well spent on a good size lathe.

Emgee

l have one same , but can u tell me the quick tool post model ? l would to buy one and l dont know what the tool post model fits Colchester Bantam . Thanks

My mouth waters at this thread. I had one of these 1965 vintage bought secondhand for over 20 years. I had to sell it for a house move (and the threat fo divorce if WE had to move it again). One does have to compromise from time to time. I converted mine from 3 phase by the simple purchase of a Brooke Crompton 1 HP foot mounted motor which fitted exactly the Bantam mounts. The pulley fitted exactly and even the key. It was simply controlled with a direct on line starter with thermal relay bought new from RS Components. It could not have been simpler.

I obtained my manual from a Derek Robinson in Leicestershire who at the time had spares as well. But when I sold my machine I found that Malcolm Bason (an advertiser in ME) and his son had a wealth of knowledge about the Bantam and I believe a number of these machines. Some for refurbishment by them and some being broken down for spare parts. Might be worth a call.

These are great machines and with the work we do on them we are unlikely to wear them out. Searching out attachments is also worthwhile and my capstan was on the machine more than the tailstock. I had to make the multiple stops however as they are like hens teeth.

regards

Ian.

Hello all, new here and a bit of a novice..

I have just aquired a Mk1 Bantam. I took out the motor and was originally going to junk it and replace it with a nice shiny new one but I took it apart and the windings all appeared to terminate on a 6 block terminal block as A2A3 B2B3 and C2C3. With an ohmmeter it was pretty apparent that they are the ends of each of the windings. I have now connected these as delta and just put it onto a VFD so see if it exploded but it seems to run ok. I have no dataplate on it so I don't really know what power it is supposed to be. I will post a picture so if anyone has a similar one could you let me know whats on the dataplate?

will bolt it back in tomorrow and just see what happens!

Cheers all

Tom