Used Flexispeed

Hi all.

I'm considering a used Flexispeed Meteor 2. Apart from the usual, is there anything I need to know? More importantly, if wear exists, can it be rebuilt and how? It's purpose is to build a 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 gauge loco at the very most, amongst other smaller projects.

Can new chucks be fitted to this machine?

Your advice very much appreciated.

Edited By RevStew on 24/11/2018 11:50:42

It's a sort of Super Adept on steroids Benefits from a back gear and screwcutting. Chucks screw on but you may need to use a backplate or adapter.

Worst case you can make a new headstock from cast iron or rebore for an oversize spindle.

Very basic calibrated dials might mitigate against easily working to a high level of accuracy, especially if it is worn. Very dated now, but people did great things with them in their day.

If you are short of space ... This is well worth a look: **LINK**

https://sites.google.com/site/flexispeedlatheinabox/

MichaelG.

.

See also: https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=130342

The Cowells is of course a very well-respected 'Silk Purse'

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 24/11/2018 15:17:10

Although a nice little lathe and it would be possible to build a loco like the TIch on it I suggest it is really sized for clockmaking and model railways including garden railways.

I Think if you are looking to build a bigger loco you should look for something like an old Drummond that is jus that bit bigger and more robust.

If you are looking for lathe chucks you can buy backplates and machine them to accept commonly available chucks - but if you are looking for tailstock drill chucks looking at lathes.co.uk they appear to be 0MT which are harder to locate.

As a simply built lathe it is possibly easier to renovate than some designs, but are these skills available to you? because paying someone else to do so could be expensive.

A fully equipped Flexispeed Meteor 2 sold on eBay earlier this year for £835. This for a machine at least 40 years old is probably about the same as it would cost to buy and equip a modern mini lathe - except you will have to search for and perhaps modify or make parts and accessories instead of walking in off the street and buying them.

As to whether it is suitable for the task you have suggested - probably, depending on the prototype you choose. Just checked the drawings for the 7 1/4" Tich and you could fit the wheels and cylinders on either lathe!

The mini lathe may have a larger capacity, but if the flexispeed is backgear equipped it may be more suitable for turning wheel castings if they fit on the machine. 

Go figure!

Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 24/11/2018 22:01:03

Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 24/11/2018 22:09:40

Although they would fit I am not of course suggesting it would be the most suitable design to make on lathes of this size!!!!

Beware of a Meteor II that has been over revved, the plain bearings don't like it.

RevStew:

I was given on of these for Christmas three or four years ago: it came from E-bay, but it would have been a lot less than £835 (probably about £180) although it did not have the screw-cutting gears with it, just the standard leadscrew.

I have not made anything large with it yet, just small tools, an adjustable height tool post and an attachment for an an oil line for a car.

I am pleased with it: it was not worn and everything works well. The biggest frustration is the difficulty in finding fitments for the headstock with the correct thread. Someone kindly sleeved and re-threaded a metric chuck for me and I have made my own collet holder which seems to be accurate. I also fitted a DTI on an arm to allow accurate turning, mainly because I struggled to read the calibrations on handwheels. Overall, a nice lathe which is easy to use and I am very much a beginner.

James.

Edited By James Alford on 25/11/2018 09:22:18

Edited By James Alford on 25/11/2018 09:22:39

The Flexispeed Meteor 2 is a complete heap of junk. Send it to me for safe disposal.

Do the 0 MT arbors which you have found fit fully or do they protrude a long way? The only items that I have found so far are too long to fit properly.

James.

Thank you.

James.