Boley and Leinen watchmakers lathe

[Alan CharlestonParticipant @alancharleston78882]

Hi,

I have acquired an old Boley and Leinen watchmakers lathe. It’s in a bit of a sorry state and I’m in the process of resurrecting it. It came with a sewing machine motor with a single step pulley. The lathe has a 3 step pulley. Without knowing the safe maximum speed for the lathe I’m a bit reluctant to start it up. Can anyone tell me what the maximum speed is likely to be?

The lathe bearings are tapered bushings with oilers mounted above them. Can someone tell me the correct oil to use?

Regards,

Alan C.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

[ Geneva pattern, I presume ]

Any lightweight ‘spindle oil’ should be fine, Alan

Those bearings are generally hardened steel, with exquisitely accurate double tapers and unless run dry they should last “forever”

MichaelG.

.

This is an American Lathe [snipped from the superb 1903 book by Ward L. Goodrich], but the bearing design should be very similar:

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

The motor usually drives a layshaft which woud have a three step pulley lined up with the one on the lathe to give you variable speeds. For turning small diameters you can’t run fast enough.

Roy

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

according to Lathes.co.uk you can get a magnificent 7500rpm !!!!!!

[Alan CharlestonParticipant @alancharleston78882]

Thanks for the replies.

I was going to make a 3 step pulley and mount it directly onto the motor but I think I’ll make a layshaft and connect that to the motor.

I have some SAE10 oil. Would this be suitable.

Regards,

Alan C.

[Alan Charleston]

On Alan Charleston Said:

I have some SAE10 oil. Would this be suitable.

 

That should do nicely … just go gently at first, and make sure the headstock remains at a reasonable temperature.

MichaelG.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Bear in mind that if you really are aiming for 7k then the layshaft will be turning at 2k so design accordingly.

[Lee RogersParticipant @leerogers95060]

Halfords hydraulic jack oil is sae10 and easy to get hold of if you need more. I use it for my Drummond , not as fast but plain bearings that need TLC.

[Alan CharlestonParticipant @alancharleston78882]

Thanks for the replies and information. I’m not so worried I’m going to ruin the lathe now.

Regards,

Alan C.

[Author]

Posts