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New lathe advice

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Mark Turner 125/07/2010 20:40:34
7 forum posts
Hi
 
My Southbend 9" is now getting a little small as im now getting into lightening flywheels (race engine building), modifying brake disks etc.
 
Im looking for something that will handle a flywheel up to approx 12", but this could of course be in a gap bed.
 
Im thinking in terms of harrison L5a, M250 etc or maybe a colchester.  An imperial threadcutting gearbox would be an advantage for the future, but if there is a power feed not essential.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to which type and availability of accessories etc and also how much I would be looking to pay for a single phase machine/posibility to convert 3 phase via inverter.
 
Thanks
 
Mark 
Bogstandard26/07/2010 06:41:09
263 forum posts
Mark,
 
Even though I own a largish far eastern gap bed lathe, and it is great, in a situation like yours, as you have already said, English iron looks to be your preference.
I would stick with that, as what most people don't realise, as soon as you take the gap out of these far eastern machines, they won't guarantee that it will go back in in the same position, and some even state that the warranty will be void if you remove the gap slug.
 
I can't help with the other stuff, I was just trying to give a bit of feedback, if ever you needed to look at far eastern machines.
 
Bogs
John Olsen26/07/2010 07:50:18
1294 forum posts
108 photos
1 articles		I don't have advice on the machine itself, those are all good brands, but you are getting into the size range where they tend to come with three phase motors. My advice on that side of things would be to get it with the three phase motor and get a suitable speed controller to run it from single phase if that is what you have available. This is better than trying to shoehorn in a single phase motor that may not fit well in the available space. You will probably get a suitable controller cheaper than you would get a single phase motor too, and the speed control itself is a great thing to have. Also bear in mind that there is a company advertising in ME that has a controller that will work on single phase 230 Volts in and provide 415 Volt three phase out for the motor, so even if the motor cannot be reconnected from star to delta you can still get a controller that will do the job.
Mark Turner 126/07/2010 15:46:17
7 forum posts
Thanks for the help.  3 phase shouldnt be a problem.  I converted my meddings drill ok using an inverter and its all the better for variable speed.  I suppose if I had a suds pump and light that may need some more re-wiring using capacitors etc, nothing too bad though.
 
Im looking at either a Harrison L5a or Harison 140 at the moment as they both have gearboxes and removable gaps, so should be very useful.  However do they have any bad points as it seems that colchesters seem to go for more money (and ive heard the kopp variator on chipmasters is a bit of a pain?).
 
Any help gratefully received!
 
Cheers
 
Mark 
Angus MacDonald 326/07/2010 16:20:08
1 forum posts
Hi there,
  You may want to take a quick look at the Warco website, under 'ex-demo' (which seems to include second-hand). They are listing a Harrison 140 with single-phase motor.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Angus
WALLACE29/07/2010 22:24:58
304 forum posts
17 photos
Hello Mark
 
I have a L5a and can confirm it will do a flywheel - did one for a lancia engine some years ago. A lathe is definetly the way to go as the steel to make it was about £25 pound - so if you don't include the time / initial cost of the lathe, it's very cost effective !
 
As to other lathes, I wouldn't really want to comment - certainly it's done everything I've thrown at it  - but sometimes you do get the feeling that the castings are a little lightweight - a colchester from what I've seen of them look a bit ' beefier'. not that I'd notice the difference in the turning I do  .  .
 
One good point is the clutch - it's in a very easy place to get at if things go wrong - I've linked mine up to the inverter drive so it all comes on and off together.
 
Why did I get a L5a ? The garage it lives in is very tight for space - and the one I brought has its motor in the base unlike everyother Harrison I've seen which has it hanging over the back. This means it's about a foot shallower   - so I can squeeze the car in..
 
One thing you will need if doing a flywheel is a lathe with power cross feed. Something the lathes your looking at should have as they're big, but make sure !!    
 
And I wouldn't go for a single phase - they buzz ! The Harrisons are a bit more limited in gear (speed) ranges than the Colchesters, but an inverter plus a 3 phase motor sorts that one out !  Imperial leadscrew not a problem - just buy a 127 tooth translation cog.
 
W. 
  
Ian S C30/07/2010 11:09:15
avatar
7468 forum posts
230 photos
I think there has been an artical on coverting a Chipmaster to a varable speed motor, good if you can get a cheap one with a stuffed variator and a reasonably good lathe, should get it for scrap value.  Don't seem to remember it having a gap bed though, its about 45yrs since I had anything to do with a Chipmaster.  Ian S C
Mark Turner 105/08/2010 20:10:33
7 forum posts
Finally made the decision as I found a nice CVA lathe complete with steadies, collets, 4 chucks and various other bit.  
 
Ive got a new 3hp inverter system on order as the lathe has  a 3kw 415v only motor which even with inverter/convertor would be too much for the electrics in the garage!!
 
Cant wait to try it!!
 
Thanks for all the help.
 
Mark 

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