Why do they do that,

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Why do they do that,

This topic has 18 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 10 March 2017 at 19:04 by Willliam Powell.

Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)

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8 March 2017 at 16:45 #287783
Russell Eberhardt
Participant
@russelleberhardt48058
Why do they put the handle on that side of the saddle apron?

Russell
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8 March 2017 at 16:45 #34871
Russell Eberhardt
Participant
@russelleberhardt48058
8 March 2017 at 16:53 #287787
Brian Wood
Participant
@brianwood45127
Russell,

I don't know, but is typical of lathe designs from the USA. Tongue in cheek of course, but could it be that the typical American machinist regarded himself as so macho that it didn't matter?!

Brian
8 March 2017 at 16:57 #287789
SverreE
Participant
@sverree
Hello;

Left hand on the saddle apron and right hand on the cross-slide or top slide…? That's how I use my Blomqvist lathe (a South Bend clone).

Sverre

Edited By SverreE on 08/03/2017 17:02:23
8 March 2017 at 17:02 #287791
MW
Participant
@mw27036
Probably because having the handle nearer to where the tool is doing the work, on the headstock end, helps with the accuracy of movement on the saddle.

Michael W
8 March 2017 at 18:31 #287811
Roger Williams 2
Participant
@rogerwilliams2
Russell, its a crap idea isnt it. Whichever hand you use, its in the firing line. My DSG is on the left and so is the Hardinge. Designed by a masochist.
8 March 2017 at 18:38 #287812
Peter Simpson 1
Participant
@petersimpson1
I was just thinking about the same subject the other day. I have a Myford S7 which is a joy to use, I also have a Boxford ME. which has the handle on the opposite side of the carriage, you are forever getting hot swalf on the back of your hand.
8 March 2017 at 19:05 #287817
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
So you can twiddle the saddle wheel and topslide at the same time
8 March 2017 at 19:12 #287819
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
So that when you've got your hand on the half nut lever screwcutting up to a shoulder (with buttocks clenched) you are out of the firing line. Having said all that I think it's rubbish as well, you don't do that much screwcutting, and when you do you don't produce that much swarf. Colchesters have the handle on the right, half nuts on left. Is it a UK/USA thing?
8 March 2017 at 19:35 #287826
JA
Participant
@ja
Posted by Peter Simpson 1 on 08/03/2017 18:38:03:

I was just thinking about the same subject the other day. I have a Myford S7 which is a joy to use, I also have a Boxford ME. which has the handle on the opposite side of the carriage, you are forever getting hot swalf on the back of your hand.

You never win, though. The handle may be in the right place on the Myford but lead screw clasp nut lever is not. That gets the swarf and even worse the cutting fluid.

JA
8 March 2017 at 20:30 #287841
Another JohnS
Participant
@anotherjohns
Posted by Brian Wood on 08/03/2017 16:53:06:

Russell,

I don't know, but is typical of lathe designs from the USA. Tongue in cheek of course, but could it be that the typical American machinist regarded himself as so macho that it didn't matter?!

Brian

Cripes, and I thought it was an European thing! My Kerry and Emco lathes (i.e. 100% of my lathes) have the Handwheel on the left hand side.

(Not in USA, but close) John.
8 March 2017 at 21:19 #287854
Phil Whitley
Participant
@philwhitley94135
The Colchesters, and I believe, some others have the handwheel on the left on straight bed machines, and on the right on gap bed models, if the chips are burning you, use coolant, and if you get Doubleboosts "stringy bastards" use a chipbreaker type tool, it is not good to have a metal birds nest flying round the chuck, ask me how I know! It is worst when the hot ones fly up your rolled up sleeves and stick to your shirt! Also, when welding, take your watch off, and or wear gloves, I have a lovely little scar where a ball of weld metal jumped under my watch strap and stuck, and it was sore for bloody WEEKS!
8 March 2017 at 21:44 #287863
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
Another reason to wear gloves when welding, keeps them clear of the ultra violet and infra red rays as well.

On a Harrison lathe I think you used to be able to order with the carriage handwheel on the side you wanted.
8 March 2017 at 22:17 #287872
Robbo
Participant
@robbo
Because they expect the swarf to come off in a long string, not a bird's nest!

Viz :
8 March 2017 at 22:43 #287879
John Stevenson 1
Participant
@johnstevenson1
Posted by Phil Whitley on 08/03/2017 21:19:20:

The Colchesters, and I believe, some others have the handwheel on the left on straight bed machines, and on the right on gap bed models,

.

That is because when the gap is out you also loose part of the rack bolted to the gap so a left hand handwheel runs out of travel.

It did used to be a US / UK thing as the 'mericans don't use gap bed lathes, they just rope off the other top corner of the North 40 and buy a bigger lathe.

However now with a lot of machines being made in China you can often specify right hand or left.
8 March 2017 at 23:08 #287884
Enough!
Participant
@enough
Robbo – Maybe it lets short-sighted operators like that one get closer to the cut.

Edited By Bandersnatch on 08/03/2017 23:08:52
10 March 2017 at 14:40 #288115
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
I'll buy the idea that wheel at left keeps the more critical leadscrew half nuts away from swarf.

Neil
10 March 2017 at 16:35 #288126
Scrumpy
Participant
@scrumpy
I have to be careful my Harrison L5 handle on left along with my Boxford but my Mitchell is on the right it also disengages so it does not turn possible as its a full wheel some 12 ins in dia
10 March 2017 at 19:04 #288150
Willliam Powell
Participant
@willliampowell36769
Yep, it's awful.

I have had the pleasure of running a Monarch DS&G several years back, and aside from having to acquire new reflexes, it was a delight. No burning bits landing on my left hand….
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