Any other Barker lathe owners out there?

I have just got myself a nice one of these but am having problems working out the gearing from the belt drive through the gears. Would anyone have a workshop manual I could get a copy of or a scan etc . I have a suspicion it may not be all there.

Thanks Mark

Hi Mark

The change wheels should be: 20, 24, 32, 36, 38, 40, 44, 48, 48, 52, 54, 56, 60, 80 (note the two 48 wheels).

There should 8 speed wheels from 25 to 75 rising by 5's. There should be two large knurled spacers secured by grub screws to hold two speed wheels onto each shaft

I have spreadsheets for imperial and metric threads which I can send you if you drop me a personal message (PM)

They are very nice machines

John

Ben,

Have a look at this site. **LINK**

Eric

Its interesting that you can swivel the headstock for taper turning. Why would this be seen as a better idea than using the top slide?

At a guess it would be possible to produce a longer taper than would be possible using the top slide - of course the problem then would be supporting the end of the work.

Norman

would this be seen as a better idea than using the top slide?

lathesdotco explain this. ''Under power' is nearly always better than hand feeding. Certainly easier!

You can use a swivelled head for making tapered pipe threads ordishing the ends of bars to make them stand upright. I've seen instructions somewhere for doing this to ensure clock pillars sit square on the plates.

Since the Lathes site mentions selling one to Harrow school has anyone tried contacting them to see if they still have it and any supporting documentation?

I’ve just bought a 5” Barker lathe which is fitted with a Carter hydraulic variable gearbox. It is reputed to have started life at Terrys Chocolate factory in York. It is in good condition for its age with all the wheels for screw cutting plus unused wheels for changing the speed as these are not needed with the automatic box. There is next to no wear on the bars which form the bed although there is quite a bit of backlash on the saddle and cross slide which I’m hoping to resolve. It is my first lathe and while a bit old and quirky I’m hoping it will give me something to develop my skills on.

Does anyone on this forum have experience Or any tips with these lathes or the Carter gearbox? Does anyone have any documentation for them (I.e. lubrication spec etc)?

Paul Cheeseman 1:

I have alerted a Barker-owning friend.

If you can figure out how to do so, it would be good to see photos, particularly of the gearbox. No doubt Tony at lathes.co.uk would also be interested.

Detailed photos of stuff like a working gearbox would be pretty rare and interesting

Perhaps you could do a swap with Tony, a bunch of photos for his site for a Lathe manual if he has one kinda thing

GL

Edited By Ady1 on 09/06/2020 16:23:33

I've had mine for 10 years now - and bought a second for spares which came with the thread dial indicator as well (bonus)

Have converted mine to 3 phase via an inverter which does away with the speed wheels and gives infinite speed control. Bored out a quick change tool post from RDG to go on the top slide.

I broke the saddle lock so have to use a G clamp until I either swap over the saddle from the spare or make a new clamping fixture. I have toyed with the idea of welding and stitching the cast iron around the original clamp

I've never found a manual for one. Now I've got two the prospect of a full strip, clean, repair and restore is a distinct possibility when retirement arrives

Edited By John Coates on 09/06/2020 17:55:48

Many thanks. I’ll upload some pictures of the lathe and send some to Tony’s site. The lock for the Cast iron tail stock on mine has cracked. It’s been turned round and a machine screw drilled and tapped in. A hexagon key has been brazed onto the machine screw. Hence the screw can be tightened onto the front slide bar to lock the tail stock. It works ok although runs the risk of marking the slide bar. Like you I’m thinking of having it welded but wonder if it is worth the effort as it may just crack at another point.

Another Barker lathe owner here its a 36" model with suds tray and cabinets. It still has the guards.

Good evening. I’m thinking at having a look at one of these. Is there any means of adjustment if the bars are worn?

How are people finding them in terms of surface finish achievable and depth of cut over a conventional bedded lathe?

thanks..JB