Anyone have a Clarke CL250MH (Sieg M1)

I've been slowly putting together my "indoor lathe" (axminster sieg c1) with the milling head (clarke cl250mh) but today I came across another problem.

As you can see the column has been cut down and is too short Could someone with the same mill measure the column length for me please?

Edited By Hollowpoint on 16/02/2019 21:08:26

I have a combination Sieg C1 + M1 mill, the pillar on mine is just shy of 40cm

Edited By RJW on 21/02/2019 11:46:01

Thanks, that helps a lot! Mine measures about 30cm so there's a good 4" missing.

I can get a replacement column from Clarke for a reasonable £17 but there's a 5 month wait! I was considering buying a solid bar of the same diameter. It might even help improve the rigidity?

Happy to help, if ground hollow tube isn't available from anywhere, I'd be inclined to wait the 5 weeks for the real deal TBH, solid bar would work, but it would likely be a bit heavy at the back and destabilise the machine if you swung the head away from the bed to use the lathe, perhaps even have it toppling over backwards if it isn't bolted down, also not sure how or if the extra weight would twist or affect the bed in other ways over time .

Just an observation but does the column not have a foot support to it anyway? It would be more stable if so fitted.

Thick walled tube would be my choice if this was my machine, I might even sneak a trifle more height out of it to get more 'daylight' under the vertical spindle while I was making the change.

Regards

Brian

Is it me or the photos or has the rise/fall leadscrew been cut down as well?

Lead screw length may not matter as there is a lathe bed preventing it being lowered too far. Regarding solid versus hollow, the rigidity is a function of diameter more than wall thickness. A solid bar adds weight but doesn't increase rigidity very much. Adding mass may increase damping.

Martin C

You guys are probably right, solid bar might not be any better. Does anyone know of a good online supplier of 45mm diameter thick walled tubing?

Edited By Hollowpoint on 24/02/2019 19:51:55

Brian, the foot on mine, which I'm guessing will be similar to that on Hollowpoint's lathe, has a rectangular foot about 150mm wide x 40mm deep, so it's long and shallow and has two Allen bolts for attachment at each end, so considering what's hanging from it already, isn't particularly robust to my eye, must admit I've never done anything more than light drilling with it because I bought a floor standing mill soon after I bought the combo', the milling head and post has been shoved under the bench unused ever since,

The cut down leadscrew probably wouldn't be a problem unless going for the extra height with another post, there's not a lot of clearance to use much of it anyway with just a drill is in the chuck and wound all the way up,
No idea where some tube could be bought unfortunately

Try a Sealey agent, they sell the milling head as SM2503B, they should be able to source a spare.

Bodger's Corner.

If all else fails, you have a lathe so why not make up a spacer to replace the material removed?

The bottom end would replicate the bottom of the existing column, and the upper end of the spacer should replicate the top surface of the base attached to the lathe bed.

This implies using solid bar, so it could be a little larger diameter if you have concerns over rigidity.

If the fixing is one or more male/female threads, the spacer could be bored for a long stud with a threaded sleeve loctited into place for the top end, and using the existing nut at the lower end.

Howard

Edited By Howard Lewis on 09/01/2021 18:03:07

Looking at an enlarged picture, two questions come to mind.

1 ) is the column protruding though the bottom of the base?

If it is can the two clamp screws be slackened and the column moved upwards, slightly, within the base, to gain more headroom?

2 ) The base is relieved to clear the Cross Slide, but is presently well clear of it. Is it possible that there are more tappings /location higher on the lathe bed so that the base could be fitted higher on the bed without fouling the Cross Slide?

If the answer to both questions is "YES", it may be that extra headroom can be obtained without anything more than adjustment.

Howard

Someone gave this supplier of tube a mention the other day, they list 45dia x 3mm wall

I've bought smaller stuff from them, was fine..

Whilst you're browsing Ebay, might be worth noting that Honda and BMW (& probably others) use 45mm fork-stanchions in their bikes.. ..much stiffer & maybe less 'ringy'.. ..you'd want the vendor to guarantee or have them back if they're not straight..

Edited By DiogenesII on 10/01/2021 18:09:52

Part number from Sealey is SM2503.139

I am back at work tomorrow, so I could have a look and see what we have got if you wish, unless you prefer to go for the genuine part. As well as solid bar we do have some thick walled tube, but I'm not sure what diameter it is.

Edited By Lathejack on 11/01/2021 18:08:05

Doh! I've just noticed the original post by Hollowpoint was almost 2 years ago, I'm sure it was all sorted out long ago.

Don't bet on it, if he is anything like me little jobs like this can drag on for much longer than a couple of years. Took me at least that long to sort out a new motor control pcb for mine lol