I went to the Dunstable Downs amateur radio car boot sale today.
I was expecting to get some electronic test equipment but came back with mostly mechanical engineering bits.
Find of the day was a Pultra precision lathe. I think it's a 1750 but have to check. Certainly 50mm center height. It is in fair condition and came with a lever action tailstock, 3 and 4 jaw chucks. No tool rest or slides though. The slides are probably the easiest parts for me to make myself. I have some miniature linear rail bearings that would be ideal. The same donor unit that hs the bearings, an optical scanner, also has some leadscrews. I will have to check them out. Not sure when I’ll get a chance to investigate the further, got a couple of busy weeks coming up. Other purchases included a unknown high speed precision drill press. It’s the kind used for PCB drilling. It is older and very well made. Direct drive from a universal (brushed) motor with the whole assembly sliding in a plain bearing about 2” in diameter. Needs a clean but looks OK. I’ve wanted a drill of this type for years. The universal motor will make it easy to add variable speed control.
Small items were a small Verdict lever DTI in the case with fittings, M&W depth micrometer and a small V block.

Cost was minimal, £40 for the Pultra, £10 for the drill and £4 for the smalls.

I did get a few items of test equipment too.

Robert.

I did wonder about the different finishes. At £40 including the chucks I was not too bothered It will be more of a bitza if I make my own slides… The headstock looks OK there is even some oil in it.

Got a chance to have a closer look at the Pultra today. Befinately earlier bed. There was a CF-33 recessed collet in the headstock and I was a bit worried it might be stuck. The drawdar unscrewed by hand abd collet came right out. The 3 and 4 jaw chucks don't seem to have arbours to fit the headstock but the should not be a problem as balnk 10mm arours are available. The 3 jaw is a Bernard. It was left closedand has a bit of rust. The lever tailstock is also stuck so bothe of those have had a liberal application of Plus-Gas and are now soaking. There is a Jacobs style chuck with arbour and drawbar the fits the tailstock
I wnt to a local market yesterday and picked up a set of small collets. Seller didn't know what they were. Some had the CC Crawford mark and they looked about 8mm. At £15 it was a no-brainer. also picked up a thread gauge. total outlay £18. I measured them this morning and they are Pultra / Boley 8mm. Won't fit the headstock of the 1750 of course, but do fit the tailstock. Total of14 collets, mixed metric and imperial. And thanks to Duncan there is an incomplete compound slide in the post.

Robert.