Cowells lathe or mill ownership?

[Steve WanParticipant @stevewan33894]

Hi Guys!

 

I wonder has anyone own a Cowells lathe or mill?

The lathe machine is run by many interchangeable

gears and mill by variable DC speed motor.

 

Wanted to know whether lathe operated by gears

are noisy in the night?

 

Any advantages between DC control speed control and interchangeable powered gears? No doubts, gears

are better powered…but we need to consider of our neighbours!

The noisy ambience in night machining…

 

Any comments?

Thanks

 

 

[Steve WanParticipant @stevewan33894]

Has anyone own a Cowells lathe or mill?

[Jim WhetrenParticipant @jimwhetren72358]

Hello Steve,

 

My lathe is powered by an AC motor driving a countershaft with a 3 step pulley. There is also a back gear to provide 3 lower speeds.

 

I also have the fine feed gear train which is used for screw cuting with additional gears.

 

I would not say the lathe is noisy in direct drive, or much more so with the gears in use. If mounted on on rubber feet, I doubt it could be heard in the next room.

 

Hope this helps,

Jim

[Steve WanParticipant @stevewan33894]

Hi Jim

 

Many thanks!

Glad I found someone with Cowells lathe!

 

BTW, Jim you face any problems with your AC motor?

I noticed that DC motor are less lightly to get hot quickly

as compare to AC motor?

 

I have the habit to feel the motor occasionally to regulate

the heat generated. Will take a break once the motor

gets hot…a good practise for small machines

 

Regards,

steve

[Steve WanParticipant @stevewan33894]

Hi Jim

 

Many thanks!

Glad I found someone with Cowells lathe!

 

BTW, Jim you face any problems with your AC motor?

I noticed that DC motor are less lightly to get hot quickly

as compare to AC motor?

 

I have the habit to feel the motor occasionally to regulate

the heat generated. Will take a break once the motor

gets hot…a good practise for small machines

 

Regards,

steve

[Stephen BensonParticipant @stephenbenson75261]

I have a Cowells lathe and its very quiet, but I do knock the saddle traverse gear out of mesh when I am not using it, I have variable drive 3 phase motor on mine here’s a picture

 

http://www.ajsbsa.co.uk/ToolingPage09.html

 

Steve

[Jim WhetrenParticipant @jimwhetren72358]

Hello Steve,

 

I have never had any concerns regarding the temperature of my motor, even after a prolonged machining session. It certainly becomes warm, but that’s about all.

 

Regards,

Jim

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

I have an early Cowells lathe and it’s very quiet.

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