Modeller's lathe?

[Radio Wrangler]

Camden Miniature Steam Services have a large selection of good how to books on operating small lathes. I think I have a copy of the South Bend book somewhere.

South Bend were an American manufacturer and their machines inspired a number of British copies of which the Myford is a derivative.

Some vintage books are rather readable and very helpful.

DAvid

[G4XWDJim]

Originally Posted by Bobdger

you will never regret buying a Myford. I have added a 3Z VSD so that when I wind coils or decanting cable reels I can run the head stock down to about 4 - 5 rpm with nearly full power.
Bob.

Bob, would you please advise what a 3Z VSD is please.

I bought a few years old but mint ML7 in 1963 and kept it until 2years ago when I moved house, still mint. I did lots of work on it but kept it in nice condition by covering it in oil soaked cloths. I’ve always believed that with a welder and a lathe nothing is beyond your abilities.

I use my bench drill and hand tools as a sideways operating lathe if I need something small now. Not quite as good but usable.

Jim

[Bobdger]

Hi Jim.

3 phase variable speed drive. In my case 3 phase to 3 phase 415V. But you can buy these drives as single phase 230V to 3 phase 230V. most small motors under 4kW are wound for star / delta 230/415V.

Bob

[G4XWDJim]

Thanks Bob, I didn’t know about such things. It must be really useful having such a fine control.

My lathe had a half horse capacitor start motor which was fine and I used to crudely slip the countershaft belt when I wanted an easily controllable speed for coil winding. It worked well but I hadn’t heard of a variable speed drive then.

Its amazing what you can do with limited resources.

Jim

[mark_in_manc]

Originally Posted by G4XWDJim

I did lots of work on it but kept it in nice condition by covering it in oil soaked cloths.

Condensation city out in the shed this weekend - thanks for the reminder!