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Boxford blues

Seeking advice on some basicsof my new boxford lathe

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Tim Hadleigh04/08/2011 13:54:30
11 forum posts
Hi, just bought a very nice boxford CSB lathe, dated 1963. Have read "know your lathe" but am mystified as to how to proceed. For example, the book names the swing lever on the front of the headstock as a swing gear. What is that for and what position should it be in when switching on?
 
Next there is a small lever flush with the back, left side of the headstock housing...what is it?
 
I have tumbled the red knob in front of the gear box, which is a reverse gear selector - i assume it should be in neutral when i switch on and l wont move it while the motoris running.
 
Sorry to sound so dumb but any help appreciated.
Tim
_Paul_04/08/2011 14:10:55
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543 forum posts
31 photos
The lever on the front in conjunction with the small lever to the L/H side of the headstock operate the Backgear.
 
The red knob (if I read you right) is the tumbler reverse and governs the direction of the carriage when the leadscrew half nuts or apron feed are engaged.
 
I leave mine engaged in the direction I use it most (cutting toward the headstock) I do also (Rightly or wrongly) change it while running .
 
Regards
 
Paul
 
 
mick H04/08/2011 15:46:32
795 forum posts
34 photos
Steady on Tim.... there was a chap on the forum the other day who didn't know what PB was and there was hell to pay.....now you've gone and bought a lathe and don't know how it works!!! Stand by for some flak mate.
Tim Hadleigh05/08/2011 09:43:07
11 forum posts
Thanks Paul,
 
So where should the swing lever at the front and the rearmost lever be positioned when starting it up?
 
Tim
MAC05/08/2011 10:07:11
68 forum posts
Hi Tim,
 
Does your lathe not feature a speed table anywhere with diagrams of lever positions? My Boxford has a table that's easy to follow.
 
The levers you mention are moved together as Paul said (I mean when you move one, you move the other also). So there are only two possible combinations - not 4 as you might perhaps think. For low speeds you will have the front lever to the left, and the side lever pulled forward. The opposite positions for high speeds.
 
Must only be moved when turned off. Paul feels comfortable moving the reverse lever under power, which I'm not questioning, but I always move this while the lathe's off too.
 
Cheers.

Edited By MAC on 05/08/2011 10:10:59

Tim Hadleigh05/08/2011 12:00:41
11 forum posts
Thanks Mac, thats a great help and all makes sense.
 
No chart on the front. It is a '60s machine that has obviously been painted and the charts not replaced. In lovely condition though. Will try to source a photo of the chart and stick it on the front.
 
With ref to Mick H's comments, l am reasonably proficient at using a lathe, just not a boxford and only a fool would turn it on and crash the gears.
 
All the best
Tim
RichardS05/08/2011 14:31:24
33 forum posts
Tim
 
Three links:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BoxfordLathe-UserGroup/
Worth joining for the files section alone (there are PDF's of the various charts and plates).
 
http://www.lathes.co.uk/boxford/index.html
Boxfords in general:
 
http://www.lathes.co.uk/boxford/page16.html
CSB Boxford specific:

 
Regards
Richard

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