Boxford STS Screwcutting Clutch

Above the two smaller cast iron gears and the Tufnol intermediary gear take the drive from the clutch output shaft to the new Banjo drive gear position.

As stated before the new Banjo drive gear position is on a common radius with the original Emco output shaft, taken from the screwcutting gearbox input shaft.

The photograph below shows the original shaft with the wide gear on and the new shaft at about 7.00 o'clock.

All the operating mechanism is hidden from view and goes under the headstock to the lever at the front.

Regards

Gray,

Hi Everyone

Just to update you on the tests I have been doing on the end stop accuracy issues. In my last correspondence with Gray, he had suggested using a double lever linkage between the operating rod and the shortened operating lever. This would be more rigid and still allow the greater sensitivity of using the short operating lever. I had previously considered a similar idea but dismissed it on the grounds of complexity.

Having decided it was with a try I have now built the linkage and tested it. It is a significant improvement over the previous versions, with the end stop position being much more repeatable. Those who had requested drawings have been sent updated versions of the new design. It will also be easy to change for the various versions of the X10 Boxfords which have differing swings, by simply altering the lever lengths.

A picture of the new linkage is shown below.

Hi Trevor,

I had a feeling that this type of arrangement would give you a better result as regards repeatability. The other advantage is you can set your trip distance to a convenient dimension purely by juggling the lever lengths.

Thanks for trying out my suggestion.

Regards

Gray,

Hi Gray,

A pleasure, your suggestion was spot on as always.

Best regards

Ttevor

Hi Trevor,

I received your email, thank you very much for taking the time to update us with your achievements, impressive stuff.

Thanks again, Pete

I'm trying to understand how to adapt the Meek design to my Asian made 10x22 lathe. I've read many different adaptations but just seem to confuse myself more.

Very very similar lathes to mine have had the clutch fitted to them successfully but my lathe has some differences and I'm not sure how to calculate the changes needed. The similar lathes that I have read about having the clutch adapted to them are the Grizzly and Warco lathes. My lathe is a Canadian "Craftex" 10x22 lathe with a bit different gear train in it.

I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with what I need to figure out.

I appreciate all the information and sharing you fine folks have done.

Don

Hi Don,

Please post some images of your lathe’s gear train and if you have any details of the clutch implementation on the similar lathes you mention those too so we can see where you are struggling.

In case you need it: To post images you need to create an album to which you can upload them, from there you can then select them when you are writing you forum post.

Tony

Hi Don,

Some while back Jim Schroeder did a version for the Grizzly lathe which looks very much like your machine. There are a couple of Jim's videos out there and he also did a write up on his conversion in Home Shop Machinist. I think the articles appeared at the very end of 2014 or the beginning od 2015.

There is another version which was for the older 918 lathe, but I am not familiar with this attachment as I have only seen one photograph of this. This is by a fellow MEW's author, who's name escapes me at the moment. I am pretty sure he lives in New Zealand and is an electrician, but that is all my grey matter will allow.

Regards

Gray,

Thank you for the guidance and information so far.

I have read the Jim Schroeder article where he adapted the clutch to fit his Grizzly G0602 lathe. The G0602 lathe is very similar to my Craftex CX700 and I believe they are both built using the same castings/platform. I believe the Schroeder adaptation plan would be mostly correct for my lathe but......

There are some differences between the lathes that would need to be addressed to make the Schroeder adaptation fit my lathe, but I do not have the mechanical mental ability and know how to grasp exactly how and what those changes would look like.

My lathe came equipped from the factory with a reverse tumbler mechanism. Does this get superseded/eliminated with the clutch?

My lathe uses module 1 gears as opposed to module 1.5 gears used in the Grizzly G0602. How and what do I need to figure out how to make changes for that difference?

Here are a couple of pictures of my lathes gear train.

Edited By Don Pittman on 04/04/2021 23:23:24

Edited By JasonB on 05/04/2021 07:03:01

Hi Don,

The Tumbler Reverse Lever is redundant with a screw cutting clutch fitted.

A lot of these machines have their heritage in the Emco Compact 8. This was adapted in the Far East to become the 918, which I am sure your lathe derivative is based on. I am also sure the photograph I saw of a screw cutting clutch fitted to a 918 will fit your lathe.

I think the guys name is Brett Merkle? (I may have the spelling wrong, for which I apologise).

He recently wrote an article in Model Engineers Workshop where he fitted a clutch to the main drive of this lathe. He is the man you really need to contact. Perhaps The Editor, Neil Wyatt would forward your email to him?

I am sorry I cannot help any further than this.

Regards

Gray,

Gray,

Thank you for your response sir. Just knowing that my reverse tumbler becomes redundant with the dog clutch mechanism gives me hope that I might be able to figure out Schroeders version and make it work with my lathe. I will look for contact with the gentleman you suggested.

Thank you again for your direction and I wish you good health.

Don

Hi Don,

I have sent you a PM,

Regards

Gray,

Hello Graham and Don

I have been a member of the forum for a while although not a practising member. It was actually the forum that got me into MEW as I was one of Neil's lost authors from an article I sent in many many years ago.

Gray, I am honoured you remembered my work and your confidence that my ideas may be able to help.

My attachment does not have quite the same refinements and finish as your work and other versions, but does work as designed, making screw cutting a pleasure.

My lathe being the older square style headstock also has no gearbox fitted. I have been curious for some time about fitting the clutch to the newer curved headstock style lathe c/w gearbox. A different design operating handle handle and trip mechanism would be needed. I have only seen a video of the Jim Schroeder Setup and would like to see more of his version.

I have added some Photos to an album if you wish to have a look. Please contact me if you want any more information or assistance, and I am always willing to learn from others too.

Regards,

Brett

Hello Brett,

First of all my apologies for getting your surname wrong. Memory recall for me these days is a problem.

It might come a surprise to you that I have long admired your work, especially the adaptations you have made to your lathe. George Thomas would be proud of you. Thanks also for the additional photographs.

Your design of screw cutting clutch I feel will also fit the Emco Compact 8, and would be far less work than my design, which to date has not been proven.

I also feel Don would benefit from your design, did you make any drawings?

Regards

Gray,

Hello Gray,

Thank You for the kind words of encouragement, I have long admired your exemplary work as well.

When I was working out the arrangement for my lathe, I did some 2D Drawings in Turbocad to work out sizes and fits. If you like I can prepare some more detailed drawings and send them to you and Don as well.

Regards

Brett,

Hello Brett,

That would be good, as long as it is not putting you to any trouble.

Regards

Gray,

PS Sent you a PM.