Lorch Watch/Clock Lathe Countershaft Running on Centres

[James Jenkins 1Participant @jamesjenkins1]

Hello all,

I’m currently planning a lathe countershaft arrangement for a small clock/watchmakers lathe (2 1/2″ George Adams).

I’m using this set up as my reference, as the lathes are very similar and I want to add in the ability to provide auxiliary power to a milling cutter, grinder etc.

It looks visually very nice too.

I’m fascinated by the bearings on the main countershaft, or rather the lack of them. The shaft is running between centres – it’s a lovely idea and one I am tempted to replicate. Any thoughts? Would any components of this be hardened do you think or with lots of lubrication should it work well? Any advantage to insetting a piece of bronze onto the main shaft, so that it was steel on bronze?

Be interested in your thoughts.

Thanks,

James

 

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I’m almost sure that countershaft dates back to the times of hand-wheel drive, and that the conical bearings would be near ‘glass hard’ and all steel.

Beautifully made and requiring minimal lubrication.

Go for it !

MichaelG.

.

Image “borrowed” from Steffan Pahlow’s collection available on Apple ‘Books’

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Usually the load is quite light with the green belting and the between centres thing has been in use for millennia. the hardened tips can be inserts into standard bar that way when hard can be polished to a fine finish. Dont forget to round the points off a little. I made shaft like this some 20 years ago and the guy is still using it.

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

Very elegant, but I’m fairly sure the people who made the original would have used ball races if they had been available at the time.

[James Jenkins 1Participant @jamesjenkins1]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your replies, all very helpful.

I have decided to go for the centres approach and drafted out the design below. A bit more substantial than the one above, but will allow me to fix overhead arms onto the actual countershaft – along the top 3/8″ bar, which should be helpful.

The arrangement of pulleys is: 5″ pulley from motor, lathe drive pulleys (2″, 2 5/8″ & 3 1/2″) and then 2 1/2″ drive pulley for rotary toolpost/cross slide tools.

All and any thoughts welcome.

Thanks,

James

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