vivaspeed Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Well as a completely unexpected event on the weekend, I managed to obtain a rather large piece of scrap metal, which once went by the name of a Colchester Bantam 2000. I know some people like lathes / tools / workshop stuff so decided to start a (re)build thread. Went with a mate to buy some Land Rover diffs and the guy selling the diffs had a fire damaged Colchester lathe in the corner of his shed - some quick inspection and discussion and we had a deal for the mighty sum of one Ernest Rutherford. These were made from the 1980s through to the late 90s from what I've read and they are still made as a Harrison M250. Although the lathe itself hadn't been on fire, the fire had melted the plastic knobs, some guards and a few other bits, but most of the damage came from the water/extinguishers, and the fact it had been stripped down and left sitting for a few years. It's not complete, the motor is gone (plus is likely to have been 3-phase), the tool post is missing and I have slight concerns about the state of the cross slide. I inspected the headstock, got it turning and checked all the gear selectors, as well as re-assembing the chuck to see if it was all okay. That part should be good. Sprayed heaps of CRC onto the cross slide and tail stock so will leave for a while to soak in. Some gears are missing from the screw cut drive/autofeed so I don't think I'll bother with that. Will save the high cost bits (motor, refurb of stand, tool post etc) until the end when I know that the core bits are not too stuffed - corrosion is very light surface rust and cleans up with some oil and a scotch pad. It will be a reasonable project (to join my other incomplete projects) but if all else fails I should get my money back on TM or from the scrappy (it weighs about 400-500kg). If it cleans up okay and I can get a cheap 1.5hp motor and some other bits as required I might have a basic lathe for under $500. Some pics - Unloading into my garage, weighed heaps (manual later revealed ~500kgs) - engine crane was only just big enough to get it off the trailer. And this is what a real one looks like... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shavenYak Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I have a single phase motor for sale, not sure if it would be suitable? I think it's 1 hp. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =477333390 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizzl Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 hate to spam your thread,but is that cat in the 2nd pic about to cop a squat and lay cable? id love to learn how to use a lathe 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivaspeed Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 I have a single phase motor for sale, not sure if it would be suitable?I think it's 1 hp. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =477333390 Thanks but I really need 1.5hp+, yes your one is a 1hp. hate to spam your thread,but is that cat in the 2nd pic about to cop a squat and lay cable?id love to learn how to use a lathe haha hadn't noticed that but I think the cat was pouncing on something (grey blur under LF paw) he doesn't make a mess on the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombsquad Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 thread = interesting, Lathe would be sweet. I really really want a milling machine/drill to fuck round making odds n ends for motorbikes etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My name is Russell Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Was it from this big Rongotai workshop fire seen here on 01/10/2010? http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4188825 ... vie-studio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 How's the lathe restoration going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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