PORTASS LATHE

Just received my Portass lathe wich i am very happy with, im not sure of the model maybe a d5 ? im thinking of getting a set of er colletts but im a bit unsure what to go for so looking for some advice, the tailstock taper is an mt2 and this seems to fit the headstock, my thoughts are to go down the mt2 route with a draw bar set up but to be honest i dont know, so would really appreciate any help, i have added some pics, so i can get some opinions on the lathe in general, i have searched the web for a user guid but not had any luck but im not sure of the model anyway as it just has its name PORTASS SHEFFEILD

REGARDS JOHN

John, have a look at

http://www.lathes.co.uk/

Brian

Do you specifically need collets just yet eg because you are building a lot of clocks? If in the first flush of lathe enthusiasm it would be best to make sure you have a good 3 jaw and 4 jaw ie not the well worn originals first.

I dont suppose i do just yet, the 2 x chucks look to be in good shape, im more curious about the way to go with the type of fitting ie mt2 with a m10 draw bar set up, my workshop wont be ready for a month or so, my clockmakers lathe done ok but became very limited as i had to modifi dial posts on clock movements to fit new movements but to be honest i like the idea of doing other engineering projects i have lived and breathed clocks for a long time fancy a change now and then other than clocks, has anybody got any idea of the model ?

regards john

Looks like a PD5 to me. Not an expert on the Portass range but the photos on this page look remarkably similar.

I have a lowly Portass "S". In comparison, yours is reet posh, with reverse tumbler gears, an actual compound slide, leadscrew half nuts, setover tailstock etc. I note however that it has the split plain bearing arrangement on the headstock spindle, so be careful not to fracture it by overtightening it if the bearing becomes worn.

Murray

My Portass is a Dreadnought, which is a similar lathe to your PD5. I modified the head stock spindle to that of a Myford thread form so that other attachments readily available for Myfords will fit the Portass.

For ER collets I have a spindle mounted screw-on adaptor. So there is no need for the draw bar and I can hold longer items through the collet.