Flexispeed Lathe

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Robert Holton on 13/10/2021 12:37:49:

[…]

I think that Cowells when they took over manufacture of Flexispeed used 1x 1.5 . I wonder if they have any knocking about their stores……

.

If they do … it will be interesting to see how much the price has changed since they sent me that drawing.

MichaelG.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by Robert Holton on 13/10/2021 12:37:49:

Just checked , it's not 1.25, but does appear to be 14×1.5. I think chucks have now standardised at 14×1. I think that Cowells when they took over manufacture of Flexispeed used 1x 1.5 . I wonder if they have any knocking about their stores….

We have an old 18mm spark plug here. That matches the spindle thread. I looked up the thread pitch and they were 1×1.5 so that sorta confirms it for me..

Rob

I think you'll find they are quite hard to come by these days; I have the same thread on my Simat 101, which came with a Pratt Burnard 4 jaw, wit the body correctly threaded to match.
The 3 jaw came with a separate backplate, front view of chuck; note that this is one with a key, rather than 2 tommy bars. Even the keys seem unavailable on these now.

Bill

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

Sherline & Taig do both M22 x 1.5 and 3/4 x 16 tpi chucks, although the UK distributors don't stock the Metric version. Both sizes would leave a reasonable amount of space for a threaded adapter.

Could you start with a suitable high tensile bolt (M22 or 3/4 16) and bore and tap the centre to M14 * 1.5.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

As there is a progression from Flexispeed to Simat to Cowells, it's not totally impossible that a spindle from Cowells would fit, and I've no doubt they would sell you one, but it won't be cheap. I think somewhere I have the drawing of the Cowells, if you're interested send me your e-mail by pm and I'll try to find the drawing. Of course this would make your 4 jaw redundant, but I wouldn't be surprised if you could get good money for it as it is quite rare.

Other alternative, which sounds more attractive is to ask Cowells if they have or would make a backplate to suit what you've got

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by duncan webster on 13/10/2021 14:06:25:

As there is a progression from Flexispeed to Simat to Cowells, it's not totally impossible that a spindle from Cowells would fit, and I've no doubt they would sell you one, but it won't be cheap. I think somewhere I have the drawing of the Cowells, if you're interested send me your e-mail by pm and I'll try to find the drawing. […]

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Would that be the drawing that I have already linked, Duncan ?

… or do you have a different one ?

MichaelG.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

That's the one, missed your post

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Another alternative would be to seek out a 3 jaw M12 chuck, as fitted to the early Emco and others.
They work in a similar fashion to my Simat chuck with a separate threaded backplate/insert.
dispense with the M12 one and make a 14mm replacement.

(I think mine was actually made by/for Toyo, but all my website links are now 404-page not found, such as rejon.co.uk)

Here's one example on ebay, but I'm not particularly advocating this specific one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393593565518?hash=item5ba401314e:g:C9gAAOSwUPNhTb1w

You can tell the style by the three screws on the front, the M14x144, purpose made for the current generation of minilathes, have the body threaded, so no need for the screws to hold it all together.
These particular style normally have reversible jaws for internal/external work, rather than two separate sets.
They are also quite slim, so less overhang.

The backplate could be made with your existing 4 jaw to hold a blank.
The critical part is the register, so an M14 tap could be used for the actual threaded section, as the thread is really just to stop the chuck falling off.

Bill

[Peter SpinkParticipant @peterspink21088]

Robert,

You have a PM.

Regards,
Peter

[Robert HoltonParticipant @robertholton69149]

Posted by Neil A on 12/10/2021 20:46:54:

Just out of interest I have measured the spindle nose thread diameter on my Flexispeed Meteor 2 lathe.

I know that mine has a 1/2' x 16 BSF thread, the thread OD is 0.497" the locating register is 0.498".

I wonder if you might actually have a Simat 101 lathe, this was a later version of the Flexispeed and has a 14mm x 1,5 thread.

One indication of which model you might have is the pitch of the lead screw, the Flexispeed is 8TPI square thread, the Simat 101 is 14TPI and I think it might be a vee thread.

There is always the possibility that the spindle has been swapped at some time to take advantage of a more readily available chuck by a previous owner, you never know.

Hope this helps.

Neil

Hi Neil,

I think mine must be a Simat 101 , The lead screw is indeed a thread, and it does have a Burnerd 4 jaw chuck, made for Cowells.

[Andy CarlsonParticipant @andycarlson18141]

It's worth investing in a M14 x 1.5mm tap or two from Tracy Tools. I bought just the plug tap because I use the lathe (Cowells) to most of the internal thread and then use the tap just to finish the thread. If you don't want to thread cut then probably best to buy a second cut tap too.

Do the thread as one of the early operations and then mount the job on the spindle to get everything else nice and concentric.

I am lucky to have most of the original factory chuck options but have made an ER16 collet holder for my lathe.

[Robert HoltonParticipant @robertholton69149]

Hi Friends, Just to let you all know, I haven't been ignoring your replies. I have had one of these supercolds that are going around, and had to go to bed early last night. Much better today .

I am following up one or two suggestions at the moment, but I would like to say a big Thank you for all your advice so far. It has all been very useful. I feel confident I shall have my lathe the way I want it soon.

It was suggested it is a Simat 101, made by Cowells, and I believe that to be so. I had at first thought I would sell the 4 jaw Burnerd chuck when get a 3 jaw, but have now decided I will keep it. It's too nice a piece of kit to get rid of and I am sure I will use it.

I will keep in touch and tell how I get on…

Rob

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Hello Robert, the Simat wasn't made by Cowells, but by several different companies as the design and rights passed from one to another.

Do you have any photos when you're feeling well enough to take them.

Bill

[Robert HoltonParticipant @robertholton69149]

My Lathe is exactly as in the picture you posted.

Rob

[Robert HoltonParticipant @robertholton69149]

My Lathe is exactly as in the picture you posted.

Rob

[Robert HoltonParticipant @robertholton69149]

Strange thing is if my lathe had been advertised as a Simat, it might not have sold at all. As it was no mention was made of the make, but because I recognised it as a Flexispeed I went for it. looking around I could have bought an unmarked Simat for even less. I am not complaining though, mine is in good nick.

It just annoys me that names are so important to people. I have seen really grotty Flexispeed lathes at astounding prices.

It wit be up and running soon. Just waiting for drive belts.

Rob

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

FWIW, DON'T sell the 4 jaw!

A 3 jaw may be OK for a lot of work, but will not hold work absolutely concentric.

For square or irregular work, or stuff that needs to be machined as concentric as possible, or eccentric to its centreline, a 4 Jaw will be the invaluable.method.

Howard

[Robert HoltonParticipant @robertholton69149]

First of all I do not have a clue what the word FWFW means.

Most of the work I do is very small and a tiny bit of eccentricy wouldn't notice. In fact because a lot of what I make is turned without taking the piece out of the chuck it should end up concentric anyway. I do take your point about the 4 jaw chuck, and I had already decided to keep it.

I have been using my Unimat for the stuff I make and may carry on doing so, at least for a while. It's a very able little lathe, but with the drawback that the original type motor is pathetic.

The Flexispeed enables me to turn larger parts. So I had thought the 4 jaw will be useful. Plus it is such a lovely piece of engineering in itself, I just like it.

Thank you for your comments. I am looking forward to using it. It';s got to be 40 years since I used a Flexispeed, and even more since I used a big Lathe.

My grandson was showing an interest in the lathe a few days ago, so I want to show him how it works and what can be made.

Cheers

Rob

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

FWIW = for what it’s worth, another favourite on here is AFAIK = as far as I know. As far as I am concerned they are all a PITA = Pain in the A##e to decipher.

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