New member in the Scottish Borders

Good evening, or should it be good morning!

I'm Keith, long time retired and a dedicated potterer who decided to add a Warco WM240 to the box of handtools and try to develop new skills. Currently following beginners guides from Harold Hall & Tubal Cain, working my way through some tool-making, learning as I go.

Presently pondering what Warco mean when they describe my lathe as having a left hand threading 'FACILITY'. If ànyone has the answer it would be much appreciated.

Hi Jager welcome to the forum. What sort of tools have you been making. If you need to put pictures on here look at the forum page in the black line then frequently asked questions tab. The left hand threading facility is just that you can cut a left hand thread by inserting an extra gear into the gear train, on the headstock, to make the leadscrew rotate in the opposite direction to it left hand thread. Just ask on here if you have any questions but a picture usually helps and shows off what you are making.

David

Welcome to the forum, Jager,

Neil

Hi Jager,

I'm not sure Warco know how to do it. I asked, and got a somewhat vague answer about swapping some gears to reverse the leadscrew. I don't think it even says anything in the manual. Not that it's the most informative manual anyway.

Check that you have enough change gears. The "toolbox list" says 10, although you only get 7. Warco say that's correct because it's a generic manual. However, I went through the change gear chart and find that I'm 3 change gears short. If my maths is correct, there should be 10 change gears (not 7). I've yet to take this up with Warco..

Hi Bo'sun,

I've been busy of late but eventually chased up Warco regarding their advertising the WM240 lathe as capable of cutting left hand threads. Like you I found their response totally vague, nobody there knew how to do it, other than suggesting I put the cutting tool upside down and run in reverse. What idiots! I expressed my extreme dissatisfaction and requested this to be relayed to their MD as I felt I was due some recompense having been supplied with a machine not fit for my intended purpose.

When, after a reasonable wait, and no response forthcoming, I emailed the MD. A female director responded, apologising for THEIR ERROR and offering to take the machine back for a refund. Obviously, like many, I imagine on here I have spent much time and money improving the machine and receiving such a trite, parsimonious response leaves a bad taste as it should be obvious to anyone that accepting such an offer would leave me significantly out of pocket.

So now I'm scouring the web to pick the brains of anyone else who has been conned by Warco in the hope they have designed a solution - otherwise it's back to the drawing board.

Good morning Jager,

This is something I intend to take up again with Warco when we next communicate. My machine is due to be replaced shortly (when they're back in stock), due to a damaged bedway where the fixed steady wasn't secured correctly for transport, a non-functioning carriage lock and a damaged splash guard (admittedly, the damaged guard wasn't their fault, it was damaged in transit).

I have to admit though, give Warco some credit, I've had no issue with them agreeing to replace the machine (that was of course 10 weeks ago). Plus, they were OK with me using the machine I have until the replacement arrives. So, a cautionary thumbs up for the time being, assuming the issue with cutting left hand threads can be resolved.

Have you tried lubricating the left hand lead screw bearing with the supplied oil can? The control panel obscures the oil port. I'm not even sure that an oil can with a flexible spout would help.

I'll keep you posted.

Good morning Bo'sun,

I hope that if a few members here, discontented with Warcos' 'Take it or leave it' attitude regarding this serious fault, were to collectively bring pressure to bear they might just develop a conscience and give us what we have paid for.

So anyone with the same problem - please speak up!

Regarding oiling the leadshaft left hand bearing - I simply drilled a suitably sized hole and fixed a coverplate.

Take care, stay in touch, united we stand etc...

Edited By Bo'sun on 17/06/2020 10:20:34

Edited By Bo'sun on 17/06/2020 10:21:29

Hi,

I fully understand the principle of the extra gear and in fact the toolbox came with a nylon/plastic 40T gear on a short spindle identical to the idler at the spindle. This may or may not have a purpose and Warco hav'nt a clue and say, when challenged, the lathe is'nt capable of left hand threadcutting.

For myself I am unable to understand how or where a second idler can be inserted.

Jager,

I fully understand the principle of the extra gear and in fact the toolbox came with a nylon/plastic 40T gear on a short spindle identical to the idler at the spindle. This may or may not have a purpose and Warco hav'nt a clue and say, when challenged, the lathe is'nt capable of left hand threadcutting.

For myself I am unable to understand how or where a second idler can be inserted.

I don't have your lathe, but I do have a lathe which just as in your description, uses an extra gear with the same number of teeth as the main driving gear on the rear of the mandrel. This extra gear is mounted on a short spindle to provide left hand gear cutting. This extra component fits into a purpose made slot on the rear mandrel bearing cover. It thus adds an extra gear into the chain and thus reverses the drive to the leadscrew.

Now I know this doesn't apply to your lathe, but I offer it as a thought as to how it might work.

FWIW, adding, or subtracting (if possible) just one gear into the gear train will reverse the leadscrew.

Also, perhaps having a look around the other importers to see if they say it can cut L.H. threads might be of use. Also, Little Machine Shop in good ol' USA might have some information on the internet.

Failing all that, how abour posting a photo of the gearbox then people can see what's what.

Peter G. Shaw

I think the extra plastic gear is a spare. It acts like a shear bolt or fuse should something jam. Rather than breaking lots more bits, you just replace one plastic gear.

I like the idea of looking at the other importers. Anyone know who badges the same machine as the WM240? "Precision Matthews" in the States look similar to Warco, but don't appear to have one like the WM240.

Wow I feel that you me.

Pardon?

Hi All,

I'm a new member and forum lurker

I'm based in Ireland and have a very limited workshop currently but I'm biding my time and keeping my eyes open for the right bits of kit as they become available. I'm following this thread with interest as the Warco machines appeared good value. I'm now not so sure!

David