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Mystery lathe, for real

Our South of the Border Dollars are not worth as much as you folks North of the border, but Our PENNIES still make good Screw Drivers!

philip, from the Great Pacific NorthWET, Oregon Division, USA
 
Couldn't control myself, dismantled everything, threw it in a bucket with some evaporust type solution and 7 hrs later they were clean, a few minutes on the wire wheel and they are ready to work again.
I can see why they are so highly regarded, wonderful design.
The tool that is on it is the retractable threading bit, I don't think that big Allen bolt in the center is original so will have to look around and see if I can find something that looks appropriate.
 

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I've been sneaking little fun jobs in between obligations recently, the Conzella live centre was a bit on the stiff side so opened it up.
The bearings appear to be in good shape, all made in Switzerland, the grease felt and looked like CV joint grease so that's what I used to re pack.
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There were two Eclipse magnetic chucks in the box of stuff that came with the Colchester, I've managed to get one moving, so far I haven't been able to get the second one moving but I haven't spent a lot of time on it.
If anyone is interested, the second mag chuck is up for grabs for someone who wants a go at it.
Eclipse is pretty adamant about not opening it up, has a very ominous warning on the back.
If the taker does open it up, I would just ask if you could post some pics because I can't find any on line.
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Have also started work on the tailstock, the lesson for today is, when trying to braze the broken cast iron handwheel together after it fell off the back of the lathe, it's always best to remove the handwheel from from the tailstock first.
Thanks PO, what a mess.
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I took my Narex mag table (permanent magnet) apart. It would not move at all. Lots of crappy rust in it and wear in the linkage. I think is see where the “manufacturer only” comment would come from - the magnets are very strong and at least some of the debris is drawn to the magnets - it is really hard to clean. I never did get the steel (iron?) cover plate off (the magnet stack looks really fragile, it is designed to shift back/forth the distance of the pole/not pole). In my case I doused everything in quantities of oily potions and worked it back and forth (putting the cover on/off many times).

The end result was favourable - but it is not for the faint of heart.
 
I took my Narex mag table (permanent magnet) apart. It would not move at all. Lots of crappy rust in it and wear in the linkage. I think is see where the “manufacturer only” comment would come from - the magnets are very strong and at least some of the debris is drawn to the magnets - it is really hard to clean. I never did get the steel (iron?) cover plate off (the magnet stack looks really fragile, it is designed to shift back/forth the distance of the pole/not pole). In my case I doused everything in quantities of oily potions and worked it back and forth (putting the cover on/off many times).

The end result was favourable - but it is not for the faint of heart.
Dismantling the 6x18 mag chuck on my surface grinder was a slightly terrifying for all the same reasons.
 
On top of it being an outstanding deal for you, getting this lathe to someone who cares enough to put this back to work is a big deal for the Colchester community. I run a Chipmaster, which is approximately the same lathe but with fancy variable speed drive and higher top end. You're gonna have a lot of fun with this. The tool post alone would cost more on eBay than what you paid for the lathe -- a multifix A, it looks like. Warning: holders are expensive. There may be a strong market for some of the bits you don't think you need (2 mag chucks?) ...

Spares are available and it helps that the Bantam and Chipmaster share many parts. Search on eBay.co.uk for parts*** -- there are lots. A fellow, Steve, with a store called Home and Workshop Machinery moves a lot of this stuff, has very fair prices, and excellent shipping. I'm pretty sure I saw a Bantam tailstock and some hand wheels on there recently. Just be patient -- the flow of spares it small but steady and when someone parts out a lathe, all the good bits eventually make it to eBay.

***Tip: Many sellers on the uk site don't bother to list internationally, so you will miss most of these items if you only search on a North American eBay site.
 
On top of it being an outstanding deal for you, getting this lathe to someone who cares enough to put this back to work is a big deal for the Colchester community. I run a Chipmaster, which is approximately the same lathe but with fancy variable speed drive and higher top end. You're gonna have a lot of fun with this. The tool post alone would cost more on eBay than what you paid for the lathe -- a multifix A, it looks like. Warning: holders are expensive. There may be a strong market for some of the bits you don't think you need (2 mag chucks?) ...

Spares are available and it helps that the Bantam and Chipmaster share many parts. Search on eBay.co.uk for parts*** -- there are lots. A fellow, Steve, with a store called Home and Workshop Machinery moves a lot of this stuff, has very fair prices, and excellent shipping. I'm pretty sure I saw a Bantam tailstock and some hand wheels on there recently. Just be patient -- the flow of spares it small but steady and when someone parts out a lathe, all the good bits eventually make it to eBay.

***Tip: Many sellers on the uk site don't bother to list internationally, so you will miss most of these items if you only search on a North American eBay site.

Is there any Colchester groups you know if and recommend? I saw one on FB based out of the UK but they wouldn’t let me join from Canada.
Thanks, Mark
 
I took my Narex mag table (permanent magnet) apart. It would not move at all. Lots of crappy rust in it and wear in the linkage. I think is see where the “manufacturer only” comment would come from - the magnets are very strong and at least some of the debris is drawn to the magnets - it is really hard to clean. I never did get the steel (iron?) cover plate off (the magnet stack looks really fragile, it is designed to shift back/forth the distance of the pole/not pole). In my case I doused everything in quantities of oily potions and worked it back and forth (putting the cover on/off many times).

The end result was favourable - but it is not for the faint of heart.
Youtube is has lots of vids of guys taking them apart but from what I have read, Eclipse doesn't want you opening it up because when you throw the lever to turn it off the magnetic field doesn't get cut off like most mag chucks but gets diverted. I don't pretend to understand.
Believe me, I tried to take it apart but couldn't figure it out.

Eclipse recommends if the chuck is more than 20 yrs old that it will not be worth repairing and should be discarded.
They carry parts for there chucks for 15 yrs after they discontinue any model, after that they pitch them.
After soaking the unit in WD40 for a couple of days it started moving, now it's working well.

I haven't spun it up on the lathe yet but I don't anticipate any problems with it holding a work piece, it holds well.
 
Is there any Colchester groups you know if and recommend? I saw one on FB based out of the UK but they wouldn’t let me join from Canada.
Thanks, Mark
There is a dot-io group that holds a lot of static information and has a few posts a day from users. I've found this helpful as an archive.
Try THIS link. You can certainly join from Canada, but you have to request and be approved, like most groups. I think I've seen a couple of members from this group over there.
 
This is a specialty chuck that came with all the other stuff, FORKARDT, I've never seen one before so thought it might be interesting to see inside.
There is only about 3/8th" of travel when tightening on the work piece but when the thread is backed off to the end a little button pops up telling you that the jaws are now free to be moved into any position.
You close the jaws around the work piece leaving an 1/8" loose then clamp down, as the jaws close on the work piece the button lowers back down letting you know you have the piece clamped with all 3 teeth on each jaw.

Most of the mechanisms look like they have been ground to shape as opposed to milled, very precise fitment.
I'm not sure I'll ever have a need for it but I'll try it out for sure.
That's 4 of the 5 chucks done now, torn down, cleaned and oiled.
Moving on.
 

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There is a company in Texas, FDK3 that says they can most any part for Colchester lathes.
I sent them a request quote for 3 items just to see what their prices are like, now I know.

Top slide threaded screw nut, $350usd
Crossslide screw nut, $450usd
Bedway wiper felts, $125usd

I don't know how they stay in business. I guess I'll be making everything I need.
 
There is a company in Texas, FDK3 that says they can most any part for Colchester lathes.
I sent them a request quote for 3 items just to see what their prices are like, now I know.

Top slide threaded screw nut, $350usd
Crossslide screw nut, $450usd
Bedway wiper felts, $125usd

I don't know how they stay in business. I guess I'll be making everything I need.

I made my own Colchester wiper set from the heavy felt from Lee Valley. I like that they deposit a slight film of way oil as you work.
Screw nuts will be a challenge for sure!
 
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