Way grinding firms in Scotland or North east

Dear all,

I have searched and searched and cant find any one remotely local to re grind a lathe bed and a few other odds and ends. Does any one know of any one say north of York?

Alastair

I used to know a chap in Sadberge in Cleveland, Paul Grant, he was terrific but sadly gone.

Be careful who you use though and I would get references, I recently (Nov 2013) sent a (Very Expensive) cutter to a chap in Tamworth called David Harte but I haven't heard from him since Christmas and my emails go unanswered so I am wondering if anything has happened to him. I really would like my cutter back.

If you just want a couple of cutters sharpening I cannot praise Geoff Josey highly enough. He effectively works for nothing as he asks the cheques be made out to the local hospice, does a terrific job and sends the cutters back promptly. He advertises on http://www.homeworkshop.org.uk

graham.

Edited By Oompa Lumpa on 06/03/2014 17:09:39

Hi I have used a firm in Shildon called Blue Ridge machine tools they do an excellent job very knowledgable not cheap but good. Last used them to regrind table ways and knee on a Tom Senior M1 Milling machine.

Hi There is also a co. called Blue Diamond Engineering ltd in Shildon Co.Durham who may be able to help... type their name into your search engine.. usual disclaimer.

George

Alastair,

There is a company in Darlington who may be able to help you. I seem to recall they tackled bed way grinding as well as their main business which is in commercial vehicle engine reconditioning, but that information is now rather old.

North East Engine Services Valley Street North Darlington DL1 1PY

Phone/Fax 01325 521182

I know nothing about the quality of their work though, you'll have to judge that for yourself

Regards

Brian

Peter, would that possibly be blue diamond? They don't mention anything about having machining facilities in house on the Website. Do you know if they do slide way grinding in house or if it is contracted out.

Alastair

Brian I will give them a call.

Still looks like there is nothing or very little in Scotland which is a pity given its engineering heritage!

Alastair

Hello Alastair,

What I forgot to add in my response was that they have been in business at that location for at least 25 years since I moved into the area.

I used to get a lot of oils etc from Smith and Allen down the road, who are also still in business. I would be interested to hear how you get on, I'm sure I recall a sign outside the rather unprepossessing entrance which mentioned way grinding as part of the portfolio.

Brian

My first lathe in the 'eighties was an ancient, old 3 1/2" Grayson flat bed lathe which with others help I re-furbished. Because the bed was flat my mate was able to fly cut it on his large SIP jig borer and I must say that the finish was superlative.

I know this probably won't help Alastair if his lathe ways are not flat (or hardened) but I thought it worth pointing out that grinding is not always necessary.

Rik

A friend of mine recently had two lathe beds re ground by a firm in Huddersfield. After reading your request I emailed him for the address and phone number of the firm. I will get back to you as soon as I get a reply from him.Ted

Back again Alister re your lathe bed. Colin sent me the following.http//gb.kompass.com/c/robert-skinner/gb92053664.I hope you uinderstand all that as I'm no expert on the computer.Ted

Thanks John I got a number form that.

Alastair

Sorry Colin

I have been off line for a few days yes that was the company Blue Diamond I first used them in a premises near what is now the railway museum but they moved to there current premises about 10 years ago. They do their grinding on site in fact most of their work is machine tool reconditioning but very big stuff not what we would use.

Peter

Might be worth asking these, if they don't they may know someone in Scotland.

Mack C.N.C Service, 44 Mannerston Holdings, Blackness, Linlithgow
Tel: 01506 830 095

Gents Thanks for the replies and lively debate! I will let you know how I get on.

Alastair

Hi Colin, not sure if this company can help I used them for work a long time ago, would make anything up was in the workshop once, had every kind of equipment you could think off.

Rollo Engineering Falkirk

may be worth giving them a call

**LINK**

McNair Engineering Limited, 11-12 Lovat Place, Hillington, Glasgow G52 4XE, Scotland UK
(T) +44 (0) 141 883 0496

(F) +44 (0) 141 882 7823

e mail : [email protected]

I'd be very careful about giving your slideway grinding to any Tom Dick and Harry. Castings have to be carefully aligned and clamped down without distorting them otherwise you will "regrind in" a fault. I have used Skinner Engineering and have known the owner for many years, he served his time in the machine tool industry many years ago.....experience like that is very hard to find these days.