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This topic has 24 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 12 June 2020 at 15:50 by Ian Burns 4.

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11 June 2020 at 11:42 #479071
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Hi all

I've just purchased a Colchester Bantam which will need a little work to get it running (either using a VFD or changing the motor).

I live in the beds area near Luton so it would be great to hear of any groups or meetups once restrictions are lifted to meet likeminded people.

It would be great if anybody could recommend maybe a small lathe starter project or some literature to point me in the right direction to learning the skills and making something, however small and preventing my wife pointing at a large lump of metal, folding her arms and saying I told you so.

Hopefully I haven't made a grave error in judgement…

Thanks

Ian
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11 June 2020 at 11:42 #40839
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
11 June 2020 at 14:19 #479107
Brian Wood
Participant
@brianwood45127
Hello Ian,

Welcome to the Forum, I'm sure you will find it of great use and interest and sometimes even gentle banter.

" Error in judgement" — placed where the phrase is in your posting it could be interpreted in ways other than the one I'm sure you intended!

Mischievously Brian
11 June 2020 at 14:28 #479110
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
haha thanks Brian. I'll keep digging…..
11 June 2020 at 14:32 #479111
Brian Wood
Participant
@brianwood45127
Thanks for taking it so well Ian, I could be have been diving for cover!

On a serious note, I'm sure you will find the lathe absorbing and rewarding. Good luck with getting it operational again.

Kind regards Brian
11 June 2020 at 15:12 #479123
John Paton 1
Participant
@johnpaton1
Have a look at Geo Thomas book 'The Model engineers Workshop Manual' which has some excellent, well designed and very useful accessories in. He also gives such clear instructions on their manufacture that they serve as great beginner exercises too.
11 June 2020 at 15:18 #479124
Brian H
Participant
@brianh50089
Hello Ian, I can't vouch for this one personally but his book on milling is excellent.

Lathework: A Complete Course (Workshop Practice)

By Harold Hall.

Brian
11 June 2020 at 15:45 #479126
not done it yet
Participant
@notdoneityet
Lathesdotcodotuk is a good starting point, especially as it is not running. Likely easy enough to sort it (as long as not a dual speed motor?). Guessing the problem is that it is a 3 phase 415V motor?
11 June 2020 at 15:47 #479128
Clive Foster
Participant
@clivefoster55965
+1 for Lathework and, possibly, Workshop Projects both by Harold Hall. Get you going on techniques with things that might be useful. Have the advantage of being more up to date than most of the (good) books often suggested so more in tune with the materials easily available today.

Tool sharpening is, regrettably, often not well covered in books. The SouthBend Lathe book How To Grind Lathe Tool Cutter Bits, Bulletin no 35 is still a decent resource, despite its age, with a little more detail than most. Long out of copyright and can be found on the internet. I may well have got mine via Scribd.

Recently hollow grinding by offering up the tool to the periphery of the wheel has been covered in MEW including the vital tool rest heights to get specified angles. Worth tracking back for the articles as, not only is it a much more suitable method for the inexperienced, but also produces ashape that can be easily touched up with a stone or diamond sharpening blade.

Hafta say I tend to use Scribd and other internet sources as an alternative to being able to browse in a bookstore. Helps me select books with the right writing style and content for me. Folk may argue about copyright, distribution and other issues but, given that my 1,000 + book library has enough examples of not what I expected, misleadingly described or simply a fine book for another guy but not the one for me, I really don't care. Way I see it if you can read a book on a screen you don't greatly want it. If its good I'll buy it.

Clive
11 June 2020 at 16:17 #479135
geoff adams
Participant
@geoffadams14047
Hi Ian i have just got a bantam about three weeks ago all set up and running fitted a dro and quick change tool post it runs on 240 volt been covert about 10 years ago iam over the moon with mine had to sell a boxford and a myford to make space . a lot more power no more belt slip need to sort out the foot brake looks like it just needs to be adjusted .tailstock die holder would be a good project if you need any help message me

all the best Geoff
11 June 2020 at 18:14 #479153
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by Brian H on 11/06/2020 15:18:38:

Hello Ian, I can't vouch for this one personally but his book on milling is excellent.

Lathework: A Complete Course (Workshop Practice)

By Harold Hall.

Brian

Hi Brian,

Thanks for the recommendation. Ordered it and will let you know how I get on with it. Hopefully if I have a little initial success I might venture into milling also!
11 June 2020 at 18:16 #479154
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by John Paton 1 on 11/06/2020 15:12:45:

Have a look at Geo Thomas book 'The Model engineers Workshop Manual' which has some excellent, well designed and very useful accessories in. He also gives such clear instructions on their manufacture that they serve as great beginner exercises too.

Hi John,

Also ordered this so I now have my two starter books for the lathe. Just need to get the machine and workshop setup now…

Thanks
11 June 2020 at 18:55 #479167
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Welcome to the forum Ian!

Neil
11 June 2020 at 20:03 #479183
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by Clive Foster on 11/06/2020 15:47:32:

+1 for Lathework and, possibly, Workshop Projects both by Harold Hall. Get you going on techniques with things that might be useful. Have the advantage of being more up to date than most of the (good) books often suggested so more in tune with the materials easily available today.

Tool sharpening is, regrettably, often not well covered in books. The SouthBend Lathe book How To Grind Lathe Tool Cutter Bits, Bulletin no 35 is still a decent resource, despite its age, with a little more detail than most. Long out of copyright and can be found on the internet. I may well have got mine via Scribd.

Recently hollow grinding by offering up the tool to the periphery of the wheel has been covered in MEW including the vital tool rest heights to get specified angles. Worth tracking back for the articles as, not only is it a much more suitable method for the inexperienced, but also produces ashape that can be easily touched up with a stone or diamond sharpening blade.

Hafta say I tend to use Scribd and other internet sources as an alternative to being able to browse in a bookstore. Helps me select books with the right writing style and content for me. Folk may argue about copyright, distribution and other issues but, given that my 1,000 + book library has enough exam bvl;yples of not what I expected, misleadingly described or simply a fine book for another guy but not the one for me, I really don't care. Way I see it if you can read a book on a screen you don't greatly want it. If its good I'll buy it.

Clive

Hi Clive

Lot's to think about I couldn't find the copies of the titles but have looked for some specific books on tool making and sharpening. I like the idea on Scribd so I will have a look at that also.
11 June 2020 at 20:25 #479186
Martin Cooper
Participant
@martincooper52042
Hello Ian, from a very happy Bantam owner, Cambridge area.
11 June 2020 at 20:44 #479189
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by not done it yet on 11/06/2020 15:45:59:

Lathesdotcodotuk is a good starting point, especially as it is not running. Likely easy enough to sort it (as long as not a dual speed motor?). Guessing the problem is that it is a 3 phase 415V motor?

Yeah I saw somewhere about there being a bit of a complication if it is running the dual speed. Probably a daft question but how can I check this?

Well first problem is going to be taking it apart to get to the back of my property and then putting it back together but the three phase factor was also on the to do list!
11 June 2020 at 21:56 #479207
Chris Gunn
Participant
@chrisgunn36534
Ian, another happy Bantam owner here, if the electrics are original there is a selector switch on the front under the drip tray to select high speed or low speed ranges. If you have not installed it yet, you will be able to see the original motor plate which also indicates it is a 2 speed motor. I elected to stick with the original motor on mine, and I run it via a Transpower converter. After about 15 years I did have a burn out, and got the motor rewound, and it has done another 15 years. I also acquired a back up 2 speed motor from someone who put an inverter drive on theirs. I never tried the back up motor.

Chris Gunn
12 June 2020 at 00:20 #479227
Emgee
Participant
@emgee
If you have the 2 speed version/motor you will have 2 sets of speeds on the headstock plate, 1 in red for low speed range (800rpm) and 1 in blue for the high speed range (1600), also as Chris says has a choice on the starter for speed selection.

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 12/06/2020 00:21:54
12 June 2020 at 15:27 #479332
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by geoff adams on 11/06/2020 16:17:38:

Hi Ian i have just got a bantam about three weeks ago all set up and running fitted a dro and quick change tool post it runs on 240 volt been covert about 10 years ago iam over the moon with mine had to sell a boxford and a myford to make space . a lot more power no more belt slip need to sort out the foot brake looks like it just needs to be adjusted .tailstock die holder would be a good project if you need any help message me

all the best Geoff

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for this. I think I tried messaging you but I'm not sure if it went through. Regarding space I've already been in trouble for this from my better half. Cue firebreathing when I later bring back a milling machine….
12 June 2020 at 15:30 #479334
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by Emgee on 12/06/2020 00:20:15:

If you have the 2 speed version/motor you will have 2 sets of speeds on the headstock plate, 1 in red for low speed range (800rpm) and 1 in blue for the high speed range (1600), also as Chris says has a choice on the starter for speed selection.

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 12/06/2020 00:21:54

Hi Emgee,

Thanks for this. After checking I do have the two speed. Do you also have a colchester or are just in the know?
12 June 2020 at 15:35 #479336
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by Chris Gunn on 11/06/2020 21:56:24:

Ian, another happy Bantam owner here, if the electrics are original there is a selector switch on the front under the drip tray to select high speed or low speed ranges. If you have not installed it yet, you will be able to see the original motor plate which also indicates it is a 2 speed motor. I elected to stick with the original motor on mine, and I run it via a Transpower converter. After about 15 years I did have a burn out, and got the motor rewound, and it has done another 15 years. I also acquired a back up 2 speed motor from someone who put an inverter drive on theirs. I never tried the back up motor.

Chris Gunn

Hi Chris,

Would you be able to give me a little more info on the transpowr converter? I've looked at VFDs and some don't seem to be too expensive but I'm also aware the any money on something that isn't going to work is worse than spending money on getting the right thing. Any help would be greatly appreaciated
12 June 2020 at 15:37 #479337
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by Martin Cooper on 11/06/2020 20:25:40:

Hello Ian, from a very happy Bantam owner, Cambridge area.

Good to hear there are a lot of happy Bantam owners and all so far seem to be very friendly and helpful
12 June 2020 at 15:38 #479338
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 11/06/2020 18:55:44:

Welcome to the forum Ian!

Neil

Thanks Neil it's been a very positive experience thus far!
12 June 2020 at 15:45 #479341
Harry Wilkes
Participant
@harrywilkes58467
Welcome to the forum

H
12 June 2020 at 15:50 #479345
Ian Burns 4
Participant
@ianburns4
Posted by Harry Wilkes on 12/06/2020 15:45:00:

Welcome to the forum

H

Thanks Harry! hopefully will have something interesting to post soon
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