Revitalising a lathe - but what is it???

Hi,

This is my first post on here so please forgive me if it's the wrong place to post this. It seemed a logical place given my knowledge of lathes - yes, you guessed it, a newbie!

Anyway, I've been after a lathe for a while but have often been priced out on places like Ebay, GumTree, etc. And I could never afford anything from more knowledgeable outlets. I always thought I'd need to work on anything I get and that proved to be the case.

I found on Ebay what was described as a Perfecto model maker lathe. It works and turns, but does need a lot of restoration work. The motor is filthy with wood dust (previous owner was into woodworking so this became surplus to his requirements), but it seems OK. It does need a proper switch... the motor is wired to a plug, and that's it!

Reading up, I found out that they're similar to Myford ML2/3/4. However, rust, dirt, and general neglect aside, the one thing that puzzles me is the fact that every search I've done online for information shows that Perfectos, and indeed the similar Myford's, all have leadscrews for power feeds. This one has no leadscrew/power feed at all, at least that my novice eyes can determine. It does seem to have the castings to take one, except they haven't been drilled out. It also seems to have superfluous gearing underneath the headstock which would, I suspect, be used for the leadscrew had it been fitted. Also, everything I've seen shows the Perfecto sticker on the headstock with a serial number... I haven't found serial number at all, yet, let alone where you would expect to find one.

I have many other questions about it, including an interesting lever at the side of the chuck that seems to engage another gear, and various things that I think may be missing.

But my main question is, does anyone know exactly what this lathe is so I can find spares if needed, or just simply know what I have?

By the way, forgive the clamps in the photos holding the lathe up. The motor and pulleys pull it over to one side, so I used the clamps to keep it upright until I get a bench for it.There are more photos in the album "Perfecto (??) Lathe" on my profile.

Many thanks for any help anyone can give me.

Cheers,

Iain

Iain,

Not knowing the lathe but looking at your pictures I would suggest that the parts your missing would have been an optional extra that were not taken up when it was bought new.

Martin P

I think you can believe the label and you do have a Perfecto lathe, this is a plain or training version which would not be fitted with leadscrew and change wheels.The lever behind the chuck is to operate the back gear which will give a set of low range speeds, you will also need to disengage the pulley so it free runs on the headstock shaft, this is often just a screw to release the 3 step pulley from direct drive to the shaft. To fit all the parts to give screw cutting and feeds will be a lot of work and expense. An idea of the parts required can be got from viewing the pictures on the Lathes website machine tool archive.

Mike

Hi Iain, looking at this **LINK** your lathe certainly looks as if it is a Perfecto and as Michael says, it could have been ordered as a training lathe. Seems by reading the text on Tony's site, you could order them to suit your own needs or finaces.

Regards Nick.

P. S. The motor is most likely from a washing machine, I have one just like it in the same type of frame.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 10/10/2014 20:39:47

Thanks for your responses, gents.

I did wonder if the lack of leadscrew was down to optional extras, but I'm just learning about lathes at the moment so I was open to the possibility it was a different type of lathe. The lack of screwcutting facility isn't an issue as I don't really intend to try that yet. If I did, some have already suggested thread chasers as an alternative - one even suggested it was a better alternative to leadscrews, but I wouldn't know. I'll get to know the thing first before trying stuff like that.

I probably wouldn't go to the effort and expense of fitting a screw to this one, though. I think I'd rather spend the additional expense on a lathe with it already fitted - factory fit is usually better than retro fit after all. But for now, it suits my needs - once cleaned up, of course!

Washing machine motor?? I laughed when I read that (sorry!), but it makes perfect sense. Cheap, readily available, plenty of grunt - more than a lathe this size needs. If the motor in mine needs replacing, I'll look at that first, I think.

Thanks again for the help. It is very much appreciated. I know a lot more about it than I did before, so thank you.

Iain

I wouldn't worry too much about screw cutting on your Perfecto lathe Iain.

There is a great deal you can do without a S/C facility and for much small model work, you won't need it at all. What you might find will come in useful is a tailstock die & tap holder. The screw sizes you will need in modelling (BA & ME) can be simply cut with taps and dies and will be so much better if guided true by the tailstock.

I think you have a No 1 Morse taper in your tailstock - so get yourself a blank MT1 arbor & stick a 2.5" extension in it. Then turn yourself a simple cylindrical die holder to slide up and down on that extension. You may need an MT2 to MT1 adaptor for your Perfecto, as I think the tapers are different at each end. In other words, worry about the basic kitting out of your new lathe before bothering about screw cutting.

Good luck with your lathe.

Regards,

IanT

A quick question: can you recommend the best place to get a decent switch for it and what to look for when buying one? I'm thinking a forward/off/reverse type. I've seen loads on Ebay, but instinct keeps stopping me from buying, for some reason.

Thanks again,

Iain

I've used the NVR switches from Axminster with complete satisfaction and they are reasonably priced.

**LINK**

These not have a reversing facility but personally, I don't reverse my lathes as they all use 'screwed' chucks. But I do have a mandrel handle for some screw cutting work and a rear-mounted parting tool holder - so I don't really need to reverse the motor.

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 01/11/2014 10:52:39

Edited By IanT on 01/11/2014 10:53:20

Edited By IanT on 01/11/2014 10:53:56

Iain - I echo IanT's advice. I've never found a reversing switch necessary. Do not fall into the trap though of thinking that a reversing switch can be used INSTEAD of a NVR. There are two reasons for this :-

1) The contacts in the reversing switch are not designed to make/break a live circuit and the arcing will, in time, destroy the contacts.

2) The NVR is designed to make / break the circuit and - more importantly - it is a safety feature. In the event of a power cut the switch releases and must be operated again to reconnect power to the motor. ( You can imagine the possible consequences of a power failure in the middle of a turning job and the subsequent restoration of power either in your absence ( maybe with the self act still engaged) or, worse, when someone has their fingers ( or as my old metalwork master at school would say their willy) in the way!

Stay safe!

Norman

Edited By NJH on 01/11/2014 11:33:23

Hi

First of all I would fit a 'No Volt Trip Switch' in line with the mains feed to the motor. This will stop the motor starting unexpectedly which otherwise could cause damage to the lathe/work or worse personal injury. This switch could be fitted in a suitable enclosure which could be located in a convenient position to the lathe.

From the photographs it is not clear how well the mains connections to the motor are protected. If they are open then there is potential for electric shock and there is a good chance swarf will find it way in as well. This could lead to a short circuit which may well result in a bang and flash which could cause you to jump. Not what is wanted if you are in the middle of a deliate bit of turning.

Sorry if this sounds a bit pessimistic but I believe in safety first when it comes to electricity and powered machinery.

Hope this helps and enjoy your new acquisition.

Martin

PS

Edited By Martin W on 01/11/2014 11:41:27

Gents,

I had thought of reverse switches as the only lathes I've used in the past also had them. I guess I thought they were the norm.

But regardless of that, an NVR switch definitely sounds like a damn good idea. I don't want it potentially starting up on it's own. And if they exist with keylocks on them, so much the better. My kids know not to go in the garage (usually locked anyway) to get near it, but as they get older, they'll no doubt get more adept at unlocking doors. A locked switched would prevent temptation getting the better of them - especially if the key stays in my pocket!

As for the pessimism (Martin) believe me, where electrickery is concerned, it's pessimism shared. I've seen the lathe running, but one look at the connections and there is no way it'll run again until I've sorted it out! Bare connections on the motor and no switch between it and the mains - not having that! I'm also thinking of a plexiglass shield for it. As you can see from the pics, it's rather open and is full of wood dust. I'll clean it up (or replace it in a manner more consistent with my day job... don't ask! Expensive and unnecessary geekiness that I'm trying to resist!) and then shield it from swarf.

Once again, thank you for the advice.

Iain

PS. I thought I had posted a response but it never seemed to appear. If it has and I can't see it, apologies for the duplication.