Britain Capstan Lathe

Hi,

I've just taken on a bit of a project, a Britan Capstan Lathe in a pile of bits. I think most of it is there apart from the spindle nut that holds the collets in place. Does anyone have one of these lathes and the dimensions so I could turn a new part, by any chance?

It seems to be 20guage, 1-21/32" diameter but I'm not sure of the dimensions for the shoulder that would sit on the collet .. or if it has any locking screws.

best regards

Andrew

Hello Andrew and welcome.

I cannot help much but this may be of interest to you:

**LINK**

Brian

A member has one.

Andrew which size Britan do you have, they made 3/4 and 1 1/4 capacity machines.

Good question, the biggest collet is a 3/4" and I can't see how it would take any bigger collects so must be a 3/4" machine.

Hi Andrew, you do seem to have a 3/4" machine then.

I'd love to see a picture or two.

There is a thread on here which might help you sort it out.

Good luck, any questions (even simple ones) just ask

Sorry Andrew I cannot help with any dimensions as my machine is the 1 1/4 capacity.

Thanks all the same!

I've managed to upload a few pictures - please excuse the mess, I'm currently having a reshuffle whilst trying to build the cabinets etc for my kitchen fit out.

I've noticed that the machine only has 2 original main spindle collets. The rest are branded Marlco and don't fit correctly. Options I'm thinking:

1, Machining a new sleeve/nut attempting to adapt it for ER collets

2, Make original style collets out of mild steel - I can harden but don't really have the ability to grind them.

I'll try option 2 for now but if there is any interest in an ER adaptor sleeve and nut let me know and I'll put a bit more planning in and would sell them at cost. The clamping range of ER collets might make it a non starter however so if anyone knows of an easy to acquire cheap dead length style collet please let me know. It's also a big step in my machining abilities so likely to take me a considerable amount of time to accomplish.

Unfortunately I no longer have any 3/4" collets. The style of dead length collet used by Britan comes under the DIN6343 standard. The 1-1/4" collet does not appear to a standard size, and I expect the 3/4" collet is the same. The following company claims to cover Britan collets, although I have no personal experience:

Collets

Changing to an ER collet would cripple the machine in terms of use. If I needed a special size collet I'd make one to match the existing design. I have the means to grind collets, but wouldn't bother for home use.

In general capstan lathes are not much better than a boat anchor without tooling. Before I did anything else I'd make darn sure I had all the parts to make a functional machine. All the switch gear on the headstock is missing. As is the lever for high and low speed, if the machine is so equipped. It looks like the machine has an autolock on the cross slide. The toolrest seems to be missing. More importantly in the righthand end of the machine is there a pull out plate with an auxiliary motor that runs coolant, hydraulic and pneumatic pumps?

A picture of all the parts spread out would help identification.

Andrew

The parts are all there (and then some - I have a whole other bed and slides) except the spindle nut and motor bracket / wiring and switches. The pneumatic pump is there and the hydraulic pump is hanging down with no obvious sign of what would power it. I can run the machine by hand so not to worried about these aspects right now. I have the motor that can be put into reverse immediately (so I'm told) and creating a switch panel / bracket wouldn't be that taxing.

The work I have planned uses simple round bar stock so at least I'd have some ability if I manage to create an ER adaptor for it rather than it just being an anchor .. at least until I can source original collets.

Thanks for the link I've emailed them to see if they have anything in stock.

I'll get some better pictures over the weekend of everything laid out.

The pullout plate should have the coolant pump, hydraulic pump, air compressor and a 1/3hp motor all mounted together.

The headstock has two co-axial lever switches, one for forward/reverse and the other pole switches for fast and low speed ranges. They can be operated seperately, or together, irrespective of whether the motor is running or stationary. I think the switches were proprietary, as Britan list silver replacement contacts in the manual. The the direction control switch needs to be break before make. This may be of some help:

Andrew