Raglan 5 inch lathe

[Colin Walker 1Participant @colinwalker1]

I've just bought an old Raglan 5 inch lathe and I'm completely new to metal turning (other than watching Adam Booth on YouTube).

My lathe had no change wheels with it and I'm confused about what I need. The manual (and everything I've read) suggests that the diameteral pitch of the gears is 16DP but when I've measured the existing gears they appear to be 14DP (per the gearbox lathe which mine isn't).

I've found a few engineering works that will make the gears for me but they aren't cheap and I don't want to buy the wrong spec.

Can anyone help me identify what I need?

Many thanks in advance

Colin W

[Colin Walker 1Participant @colinwalker1]

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

Have a look at lathes.co.uk a veritable mecca of info and possibly spares for what you have acquired.

regards

p.s. Welcome to the forum.

Edited By Mike Hurley on 16/03/2021 13:26:25

[Oily RagParticipant @oilyrag]

Colin,

Welcome to the Forum – there are a few of us 'Non Myfordians' on here that own these fine and highly underrated lathes. 'Not Done It Yet' is another owner of a Raglan 5", I have 2 of the earlier Little John models (I take it that you have the later 5" as opposed to the Little John MkII – although they are both 5" centre height)

Your change gears are 14DP on the 5", for both the change gear and QCGB models – this was adopted from the Little John QCGB geartrain as you have correctly identified. Do you have the single or three phase drive motor?

PM me with what you require as I have some spares for both the LJ and 5" as well as pattern work for odd parts..

Martin

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Rather than get gears made, you might be able to adapt Drummond lathe change gears which are also 14DP. They are 14.5 degree pressure angle though, which I dont know if Raglan use 14.5pa or the more modern 20 degrees. The Drummond gears have a 5/8" bore and a small drive pin but that can be modified to suit if the Raglan differs. They are available on eBay and via the Drummond facebook page and groups.io group. Not necessarily dirt cheap these days, but available.

Your Raglan is a nice machine if its in good condition. Quite a bit more upmarket than the Myford in its day and worth spending a bit to get the gears etc today if it's a good example.

Edited By Hopper on 17/03/2021 04:49:29

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

HPC gears do 14dp in a range from 9t to 120t. To give you some idea, a 20 tooth is £16.05 and a 60 tooth is £42.58. Both plus VAT and carriage. You would still need to alter the bore and put any keyways in but most of the work is done.

Alternatively you could 3d print them. Not great for long term use but how much use are they going to get?

David.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

There are currently some gears on ebay. Probably 14 DP.

Raglan made cheaper versions of the 5” (provided mostly to educational establishments) may have 16DP gears, but even my Little John was fitted with 14 DP gears (it was a QCGB model).

The gears are all (I believe) simple spur gears with a plain central bore and keyed together by a pin (in holes close to the bores, where appropriate), except for the gears on the spindle and lead screw drive.

The 5” used thicker gears than the LJ, for all change wheels, I believe.

Measure the gear diameter and tooth count to calculate the DP, to be sure – is my advice. Tumbler gears are 2” in diameter so only need to count the teeth to easily find the DP.

Gears are easy enough to cut with only the lathe, if you don’t have a mill.  There are vids on youtube.

Edited By not done it yet on 17/03/2021 08:14:58

[RedsetterParticipant @redsetter]

Colin,

Can I point out that you do not need a complete set of change wheels – or indeed any at all – to get started, and it is perhaps worth perfecting the manual skills first. It is nice to have a powered carriage feed, but seldom essential. Likewise, screwcutting is a fascinating and satisfying business, but generally you won't need to do it very often.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Welcome!

As you already see lots of help on here.

Don't have a Raglan, but having had some dealings with one, it is really good machine, and worth getting into good shape..

My only complaint was that the Fourway toolpost is not on the Top Slide. (I made one to fit onto the Top Slide so that short tapers could be machined, or centres trimmed more easily. )

ENJOY!

Howard

[Oily RagParticipant @oilyrag]

Colin,

You have two unread messages in your inbox from me.

At the header click on the 'inbox' (second item in from the right hand side) to read them.

Martin

[Robert ButlerParticipant @robertbutler92161]

There are change wheels on HW 16DP 7/8 bore and 3/8 thick.

Robert Butler

 

Edited By Robert Butler on 19/03/2021 16:35:17

Edited By Robert Butler on 19/03/2021 16:36:33

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