Murad Antarctic

I've been looking for a "new" lathe for a while, partly as a project, and partly to expand my workshop. Yesterday I stumbled (not literally) across a Murad Antarctic. It seems to be in pretty good condition has a full set of changewheels and most other bits and bobs. On the bed it has cast in "Murad Aylesbury" so am I right to assume it's a fairly late one?

Obviously I've had a good look at "Lathes.co" and so far I'm fairly impressed.

Has anyone here a similar machine or used one? If so I would be interested in any comments.

Thanks in advance

Bill

Bill,

Let me be the first to say:

"That looks pretty Cool"

But, seriously; it does look a very interesting machine.

Which model is it; Alpha, Beta, or Gamma ?

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 12/04/2014 08:12:29

It's bench mounted so it's either an Alpha or Beta. I have a feeling that it's an Alpha. They sound as if they were very well made, but it's all a long time ago!

cheers

Bill

I am impressed, one of the early lathes I would be proud to own. Extremely well made. The Beta has a cast iron tray, the Alpha not apparently.

graham

Looks quite like an Atlas. Quite a few manufacturers "followed" their style

I have an Antarctica Alpha too. It's a lovely little lathe, I'm looking for some new spindle bearings for it though. My spindle seems to be pushed slightly to the side as I cut. Can anyone help with any suggestions please? I would have attached a picture, but it won't let me for some reason, this text box won't allow me to look through my albums.

Just for interest I see that there is a Murad lathe for sale in the October edition of "Classic Tractor" magazine on page 146.

Not sure of the type but does look as if it is is on an original stand. It is single phase and apparently has lots of accessories. There can't be many of these around and at £560 it could be an interesting bargain!

Michael,

You need to build an album on the forum, from where you can post pics. Go to ‘forums’ on the black toolbar at the top of the page, then go to ‘website faqs’ for instructions.

From lathesdotco it looks like spindle bearings may be a problem. Might need to get yours re-metalled. Line-boring in situ is mentioned. They may be available in precision form, if a common engine bearing shell size, or used in other lathes? First thing might be to check whether there are shims, between the shells, which might be removed for adjustment.

That's an interesting one, very solid looking, I'd check the bearings carefully as they are white metalled and if run without lubricant they could fail rapidly.

That switch enclosure is big enough for two Dewhurst switches, so you have a spare ready for when the first one fails...

Neil

Looks to be the equivalent roughly of a Boxford CUD so depending on condition I would think £500 to be the top end of its value. Spares and accessories just aren't going to be readily available.

Very interesting machine, made by a very interesting man, the whole article on lathes.co.uk is well worth a read, I missed a MuraD 3 phase pedestal grinder at an auction only a few miles from me!

Please excuse the mess behind my lathe. A quick pic taken as it was unloaded from the van before placing in it's new home.

Edited By Michael Fletcher 1 on 23/10/2019 21:58:56

Edited By Michael Fletcher 1 on 23/10/2019 22:00:23

I was a bit concerned about the open belt, so I fabricated a cover.

A before and after pic. As I picked it up from the seller, and after a clean up and lube fest.

Edited By Michael Fletcher 1 on 23/10/2019 22:03:52

Turns out that my Mill chuck fits nicely. Both 3 morse taper.

headstock is very different, otherwise, it looks very "Boxfordy" in concept and that big gear - is it 127 tooth?

I'll check the tooth count over the weekend.