New old member now hiding in Lincolnshire

Hi everybody.

I'm by no means new to the world of machining, in fact I've got, buried in a box somewhere, copies 1 to 30-odd of MEW. I served (most of) an apprenticeship as a machinist in the 1960s before heading for the world of motorcycles and shortly after, left to travel in aluminium tubing - namely Her Majesty's finest aeroplanes - for the next 35 years.

I once had a fairly comprehensive workshop, based on a Colchester Student and Sentinel mill (Thiel 58 copy), along with lots of the ancilliaries - bandsaw/pillar drill/grinding tools, etc. Most of my work was based on motorcycle and car restoration jobs - but had to give it all up for a few years.

I've stopped being a gypsy, settled near where I was born. Fortune has smiled on me (my wallet) a little bit and I'm trying to set up a new workshop. I never realised just how much I had invested and more to the point, how much it would cost to replace. Horrifying!

I've just acquired a Colchester Master 2500 - a bit rough, minus some of the niceties like faceplate and steadys, etc. A handbook is next but I can probably work most of it out and hopefully find it's sound enough to start me off again.

Will

Hi welcome to the forum you should come to Doncaster exhibition next month there are a few goodies at that function.

David

Hello Will,

Welcome to the forum, I'm sure you will find your feet again pretty swiftly!

Neil

Welcome Will, I'm just across the border in Derbyshire. As David said, you should come to the Doncaster Exhibition, you might meet some old friends and you'll be able to hang your nose over some workshop goodies!

Brian

Where were you born, Will? Lincolnshire is a large expanse. I live on the Rutland/Cambs/Northants border of the county.

Thanks for the welcomes, everybody. As to where I was born: In a tiny village called Gayton-le-Marsh, about in the middle of (not much) a triangle formed by Louth, Alford and Mablethorpe. Haven't gone back there but still in the flatlands

The Exhibition sounds like a good (dangerous?) day out. It's only about 1.1/2 hours away and, having looked it up, on a weekend we have free. I thought being retired meant more free time. WRONG!!

Welcome back to Lincolnshire, If you are into 5" gauge railways, you will soon have plenty

of places to visit in the county

ENVY! A Theil universal milling machine!

We had one in the Rolls Royce Oil Engine Division training school at Sentinel. A marvelously useful machine.

My pal just missed buying it when it was up for sale, many years later,so he would be equally envious.

Pity that there will be no more Spalding M E Shows for you to attend, nor even take on running it at the East of England Showground in Peterborough.

Howard

I'm not really a steam person, though I love old steam machines - particularly the Sentinel lorries.

The Sentinel mill I had, as is probably quite well known, was effectively an exact copy of the 58 made during the 2nd World War by the same Sentinel lorry manufacturers. A wonderfully capable machine. It arrived as a real wreck and appeared in an early edition of MEW, as I looked for information and parts.

It was largely due to the help I got from MEW subscribers that I brought it back to life and used it to great effect. It was gratifying to the point of being quite moving experiencing the way fellow machinists were prepared to help and encourage.

I'm unlikely ever to aspire to one again - but I've been seriously (dangerously) drawn to A Beaver VBRP..................

Will

Tickets bought and printed. I fear my bank balance is in for a bit of a kicking.

I have question reference some of the tooling I'm looking for so I'll find an appropriate forum and ask.

Will

I should ask your questions on here Will, there's usually someone who knows the answer or at least has an opinion.

Brian

OK, I will, then. Here goes.

The Colchester Master I've just bought has, like my old Student, a Dickson T2 (probably Colchester made) toolpost but came with just 1 toolholder. I need at least a couple more and possibly 1 for a boring bar. The prices seem to be horrendous now and the best option I can find are the RDG versions at £42.50 each. I see RDG are exhibiting at Doncaster, so at least I can look for comparison. I need a selection of cutting tools as well.

If anyone knows/has options, or ideas, I'd be grateful for input.

The other thing that's vanished over its history is the thread cutting dial. It's a metric machine with (seized at metric) dual reading dials. As a result of absolutely no research at all, I'd guess a new thread cutting dial will be unavailable, or prohibitive price-wise, so a cast off/recycled version is probably the only option. Again, anyone's ideas would be appreciated.

I'm waiting for the 3 phase to be hooked up, so when it,s running there will doubtless be more.

Will

Might be worth your while waiting for a workshop clearance, your local ME place may help for a donation

I advise taking your T2 toolpost along and trying the toolholders for fit. I have had some awfully poor examples for my T1. The best for fit/price where from RDG.

That thought had crossed my mind, Chris, to the extent that Id removed it from the lathe and wiped the worst of the gunk off it.

I'll arrange for a small packhorse to carry it round with me.

I've often read it and now I'm also beginning to discover the reality of just how variable Colchesters are. The toolpost has the hole but doesn't have the 3/8" locking pin that my old one did. I assumed it was simply missing but since taking off the toolpost, i see the top slide has never been bored to accept one.

I'll be buying a length of 3/8" silver steel, then........

Will

............... which reminds me, I need to get myself along there and say hello.

Will