By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Dean Smith and Grace

Advice

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
1 2 Next > Last >>
Raymond Anderson06/11/2009 10:59:38
avatar
785 forum posts
152 photos
Hello all,
                     I have just joined the forum today so this is my first post.
 I have the chance to purchase a Dean Smith and Grace model 17t 
it is in pristine condition [only a few small chips on the paint work]  it was built in 1976 and is a toolroom lathe.  My brother who is a foreman turner tells me that DSG's are the finest lathes ever built which seems like a good enough endorsement, has anyone got anything to add?  by the way if I do purchase the lathe [which looks likely] then it does not come cheap!, but then quality never does.
                                                      Regards,
                                                  Hasteloy.
David Clark 106/11/2009 11:04:52
avatar
3357 forum posts
112 photos
10 articles
Hi There
Make sure it comes with equipment, faceplate, three jaw, four jaw and fixed steady.
as a minimum.
regards David
Raymond Anderson06/11/2009 11:38:22
avatar
785 forum posts
152 photos
Thanks for the reply David  yes the DSG comes with all the equipment you mention  it also comes with a taper turning attachment and 2 faceplate s.  
 Also whilst I am at the computer my original lathe which I purchased about 9 years ago [Warco GH 750]  has been performing superbly since I bought it [never needed as much as a bulb for the machine lamp]  but, now the threading chart for the change gears is becoming illegible due I suspect  to coolant over the years. Warco tells me this model is now discontinued  and does not appear able to help So if any other user of the said lathe could give me any info  I would be most grateful .
                                                        Regards,        
                                                 Hasteloy.                                                 
Peter G. Shaw06/11/2009 11:54:07
avatar
1531 forum posts
44 photos
Hi Raymond,
 
It is quite possible to calculate the changewheels. All you need to know is the leadscrew pitch and possibly depending on the lathe, the number of teeth on the mandrel gear wheel. Note that I don't mean the bull wheel which Myfords have.
 
I would recommend borrowing from the library Len Mason's book, Using the Small Lathe where in Chapter 10 he covers just your problem.
 
Of course, if you had a lathe like mine, Warco 220, you would  find the necessary formulas and a copy of the chart in the handbook - complete with what looks like a mistake!
 
Good luck,
 
Peter G. Shaw
Ian S C06/11/2009 12:09:53
avatar
7468 forum posts
230 photos
One of our local engineers,when he set up a work shop to service his brickworks,bought the DSG lathe that he used about 40yrs ago(it was'nt new then)but its a wee bit bigger than the average modeler could house,its at least 6ft between centers,and I think the chucks are 18",but a nice machine to use,if its anything to go by any DSG lathe would be great.IAN S C
Geoff Theasby06/11/2009 13:10:24
615 forum posts
21 photos
Raymond,
Of course DSG lathes are the finest, they hail from my home town of Keighley!
I went on holiday to North Wales once, and sitting in a pub in Caernarvon, I saw that the pub table I was using was cast in Keighley, then I went to Boston Lodge workshops on the Festiniog Railway and saw a DSG lathe in use there.
There's no rest for the wicked!
 
Regards
Geoff
John Stevenson06/11/2009 13:18:38
avatar
5068 forum posts
3 photos
Raymond, Even though Warco have discontinued the GH 750 take a look at http://www.grizzly.com and see if they have a similar machine because these people have all their manuals on line.
 
 
John S.
Raymond Anderson06/11/2009 18:04:06
avatar
785 forum posts
152 photos
Hello folks,
                           Many thanks to all who offered advice to my questions.  Well I could not resist it, the DSG has been purchased and transport arranged for Tuesday. incedently
1 of my brothers who is a foreman turner has checked out the lathe [took approx 11/2 hrs]
and everything is hunky dory.  Turns,Bores,Faces, Parts off  and threads a treat.  I will have to open up the existing opening in my workshop to get it in but as I am a bricklayer that is no big deal  [bigger lintol, new blockwork door cheeks] a snip for a couple of hours.

Ps, for anyone who is interested the DSG comes in at 3185 kg's..
                                                Best wishes to all,
                                                   Hasteloy.
Malcolm Leafe06/11/2009 21:11:44
2 forum posts
Dear Raymond,
 
 DSG lathes are wonderful. If you should want any bits then DSG are still in action as a repair and parts set-up - I think they are still in part of the old factory in Keighley (I last saw the place 4 years ago).
 
The weight sounds very typical - A Colchester Student/ Harrison M300 are about 900 Kg for comparison.
 
I have used a 16 in x 40 odd in. DSG at the local tech - super smooth.
 
Cheers
 
M. Leafe
Dinosaur Engineer21/06/2010 17:28:55
147 forum posts
4 photos
DSG lathes were always considered one of the best lathes in the 50s & 60s . Most decent toolrooms had at least one. In those days most decent M/Cs had a substantial cast iron base which definitely improved accuracy & surface finish . None of the pressed steel bases for DSGs !  Hence the weight !
As a toolmaker in a shop without a dedicated turner we used to almost come to blows who was going to use the DSG rather than the Colchesters. Only time served proven  guys were allowed to use the DSG..
The DSG was certainly a nice M/C  to use , you could put a cut on and that was exactly the amount that was taken off.  I think most reasonable size DSGs cost about the same as a reasonable house ! Some models would cost sustantially more.
Happy days !

Edited By Dinosaur Engineer on 21/06/2010 17:31:18

Edited By Dinosaur Engineer on 21/06/2010 17:33:23

Stub Mandrel21/06/2010 22:10:14
avatar
4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
We recently went to the Dalaucothi Gold Mines (it was very different from when I visited as a schoolboy some 30 years ago).
 
In the workshops is a very large Dean Smith and Grace lathe:
 

Seems a bit big for the toolroom to me, but if yours comes in at nearly 4 tons perhaps it's the same
 
Shame it isn't the other way around.
 
Neil!
Stub Mandrel21/06/2010 22:51:11
avatar
4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
I should point out that the lathe in the picture is standing on the ground...
 
Neil
Dinosaur Engineer22/06/2010 16:11:59
147 forum posts
4 photos
Even the smallest DSG lathe with 13" swing ( 6.5" centre height) weighed about 2 tons ! - about 3 times the weight of the equivalent colchester student .

Edited By Dinosaur Engineer on 22/06/2010 16:15:12

Raymond Anderson22/06/2010 18:04:31
avatar
785 forum posts
152 photos
Stub Mandrel,
                             I'm not sure of the model in your picture,  my model 17t was built in about 1976 and is not  a big as the one in your photo which, appears to be of a earlier design.
although any DSG  of whatever vintage is  built with no compromise in quality. 
                                                  Thanks,
                                                   Raymond. 
Jim Nolan14/05/2011 21:38:50
avatar
77 forum posts
Just took delivery of mine
 
 
A 1307 with about the same capacity as the Bantam i sold but 2.5T and you need to be built like garth to shift the tail stock.

Seven and a half horse power of Keighley gold
Jim

Edited By Jim Nolan on 14/05/2011 21:41:27

Lawrie Alush-Jaggs15/05/2011 06:53:04
avatar
118 forum posts
32 photos
Hi Jim
 
If you look the the southern Horizon and see something of a green glow, it is me and my envy. What an excellent machine. I'm sure you'll both be very happy.
Any chance of letting us know what you paid for it?
 
Lawrie
Dave Tointon15/05/2011 11:32:39
49 forum posts
When I was an apprentice, a lot of years ago, we had a Dean Smith and Grace horizontal borer, had a 4 jaw chuck about 4 foot in diameter, and was a magnificent machine!! It was smooth and accurate and was almost a privilage to use. If their lathes are anywhere near as good you are fortunate to own one!!!
Regards
Dave Tointon
 
 
 
Jim Nolan15/05/2011 19:20:40
avatar
77 forum posts
Lawrie,
 
I will PM you the price.
 
First job will be half a dozen axles then I have some 10" wheel sets to profile so I am going to give the taper turning attachment a whirl.
 
Only down side is the conventional four way tool post, its years since I threw out all the shimming. So I am looking for a QCTP alternative, although the action on this one is so slick I am loathed to part with it. Aloris in the states make a gizmo which is essentially the gripping bit of their tool post which bolts into the existing tool post like a conventional tool so I might give that a shot.
 
Jim
Steve Garnett15/05/2011 21:43:35
837 forum posts
27 photos
Posted by Raymond Anderson on 06/11/2009 10:59:38:

I have the chance to purchase a Dean Smith and Grace model 17t
it is in pristine condition [only a few small chips on the paint work] it was built in 1976 and is a toolroom lathe.

I just looked this up on the Lathes site. That is one seriously nice lathe! It's here, if anybody's interested.

Raymond Anderson16/05/2011 17:58:01
avatar
785 forum posts
152 photos
Hello Steve,
Yes that is the lathe that I purchased although the weight is slightly heavier than the 2.5t listed on the lathe site. My one is 3185kg It really is a superb machine very quiet but capable of taking massive depths of cut and the finish is amazing. I have tried to put some photo's up but always get the "page not responding" scenario. I have tried saving the photo's in Paint but as yet no joy. I don't use the DSG very often as I use mostly my Warco GH750 [FAR CHEAPER TO RUN] but if I need a lot of metal removed quick then it's the DSG.
My version has the Timken bearings.
Raymond.
1 2 Next > Last >>

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Shopping Partners
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate