Chester Craftsman Lathe – Back Gears?

[Exmoor309Participant @exmoor309]

[Exmoor309Participant @exmoor309]

Hi all,

I've recently bought a Chester Craftsman lathe brand new for Chester UK. I've been having an issue of getting the back gears to engage? I've lifted the lid on the headstock, removed the lockpin and turned to the out position, but when I engage the gears the whole lot doesn't want to move and seems solid.

Does anybody know something that I don't? Any help would be much appreciated!

Kind regards
Callum

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

By "turned to the out position" you do mean you pulled it out and turned it to hold it out?

Before engaging the layshaft with the left hand lever but having pulled the pin as you described the spindle should be free to move relative to the multistep pulley. (also with tunbler reverse lever in neutral.) It might be the bull wheel (big gear) is glued with grease to the face of the pulley or the pulley is jamed by grease or crud to the shaft.

If the spindle moved ok then confim the back gears on the layshaft also turn freely before they are engaged.

[Exmoor309Participant @exmoor309]

Hi Bazyle,

Yes, pulled out and turned 90 degrees so the two little pegs prevent it from locating in the pulley hole.

I think it is what you suggested with the bullwheel being glued with grease. I managed to turn this by hand but it was quite stiff. I've now got the backgears located and working perfectly!

Many thanks
Callum

[Paul Cunningham 3Participant @paulcunningham3]

I too have bought chester craftsman lathe and I am having huge issues with the spindle speeds. With back gear engaged it is solid and nothing turns, but I will see if it is stuck with grease. My biggest problem is how on earth do you move the motor belt over to the smallest pulley on the motor?!! I am beginning to wish I had bought a gear head lathe! Any help would be appreciated.

[graham howeParticipant @grahamhowe83128]

Callum, I have the Warco equivalent and this link from my web site describes the mods I have made. The change over of motor belts is impossible as delivered but a small quick mod makes changeover simple and quick. I prefer belt drives because they are simple and less costly to repair and I have read horror stories about gear heads that are badly fitted or rusty! If and when my motor fails that is the time to invest in an inverter which provides the ultimate in speed selection at the turn of a small knob. Even with an inverter drive the back gear facility is a plus when it comes to torque at low speeds.

If you need further information re motor belt mods send me an email – on web site

Graham

[Exmoor309Participant @exmoor309]

Hi Graham – What is your web address please?

Kind regards
Callum

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The relevant yahoo group is "12×36 import lathes". Couple of threads on there about the problem of belt change. Main thing is to invent a method of easily lifting the motor plate from the front. There are so many way sto do that the p[roblem is just making up your mind what suits you best. It will also get easier as the belt gets older and more pliable.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Graham's site

Note that when you save it to favourites it saves as an unrelated name so needs editing as you do it. Took me a while to find it. Really must reorganise my bookmarks and my workshop and……

Interesting site GH. Thanks.

[graham howeParticipant @grahamhowe83128]

Callum: sorry forgot to give link

http://www.homepages.mcb.net/howe/

Bazyle: thanks – never tried bookmarking my own site before but you are right it bookmarks as Creative Engineering which is what I believe in more than model egineering.

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