A Shed Downunder.

[Ralf99]

Congrats on the new lathe - I'm sure you'll have that M16 left hand thread arbour bolt for the Brobo knocked out in no time at all!


What make is the lathe, and how big a workpiece will it swing?

 

[Grumblebum]

Picked up on Thursday, restored and running by Sunday afternoon - for that is the 1/2 Cup way

Will be great to see what you do with it.

Cheers GB

 

[03.]

New toy day coming up! Good onya mate.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Ric the lathe does need a good going over for sure.


I could have used it today actually to make a spacer for the #76 cars alternator bracket.

Congratulations!!

Now you'll need to collect turning stock, and get into casting to make your own!

Looks about like 13" swing 30" centers, a very nice size. Looks like live cross slide feed. Coolant pump? Nice backsplash!

Very nice 4-Way toolpost. That will come in handy.

One advantage to buying from a private seller is getting the tooling which at an auction is spread over several boxes.

Seems like you have 3-phase, is that correct?

Do you have turning experience?

I'm excited, congratulations again!!

 

[bj383ss]

I agree with others the restoration alone of the lathe is going to be awesome.

Bret

 

[xtremek]

Nice score on the lathe. I can't wait to see how you clean it up.

 

[rmalkow2]

Adding my congrats to all others on the new lathe. It's a beaut! Looking forward to the products that will come from it.
I admire your restraint at auctions. I admit I sometimes enjoy them too much and a particular item will get me bidding when I probably should have let it go. Gotta keep reminding myself there's always another auction coming up.

Enjoy getting that lathe up and running.

Bob

 

[Craptain]

And yet another congratulatory note on the lathe. Next you need a mill.
When I first got my own lathe I spent time just turning any and all bits of metal just to play with it and get comfortable with it. No actual project then. Just fun. It was probably a couple of months before I finally used it for a real project, but then I was comfortable and confident with it.
I just sold one of my lathes as I realized that one is enough for me. At least for now.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[HOTFR8]

HOTRF8 it was listed on Gumtree ( Australia's Craig's List ) at Kyabram not that far from here.
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/kyabram/

I had to pounce

Logical answer you just had to jump on it. Well done.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: congrats on finding a lathe that you think fits the bill to enter the SHED DOWNUNDER.

to my untrained eye it doesn't look wonderful, but either did that engine Andrew dropped on your bench about 2 years ago and look how you made that shine.

I know that lathe is going to be blessed to have you as it's new owner cause it will be running like new again one day in the near future.

I bet Andrew is excited too cause now every little part that is needed for one of his projects might be made in the Shed Downunder instead of having to buy it and ship it from the UK. I know i've always wanted one to learn on, but most of the ones around here are crazy expensive and most or too heavy for me to move since i'm the forklift.

congrats!!!

Drives thank you
I am confident the lathe will come up ok.
The price was right with this one.
There has been many a time I could use one and it opens up avenues to do stuff, I am looking forward to it

Congrats on the new lathe - I'm sure you'll have that M16 left hand thread arbour bolt for the Brobo knocked out in no time at all!

What make is the lathe, and how big a workpiece will it swing?

Ralf99 thank you

The BROBO blade bolt will be one of the first projects I tackle.

It is a Herless, I did not measure it up but its capacity is about 320 mm x 500 mm, not too big and not to small.

Picked up on Thursday, restored and running by Sunday afternoon - for that is the 1/2 Cup way

Will be great to see what you do with it.

Cheers GB

GB this will take a little longer than what the BROBO cold saw did let me tell you. It just depends on the level of detail that is needed.

We will get there though.

Congratulations!!

Now you'll need to collect turning stock, and get into casting to make your own!

Looks about like 13" swing 30" centers, a very nice size. Looks like live cross slide feed. Coolant pump? Nice backsplash!

Very nice 4-Way toolpost. That will come in handy.

One advantage to buying from a private seller is getting the tooling which at an auction is spread over several boxes.

Seems like you have 3-phase, is that correct?

Do you have turning experience?

I'm excited, congratulations again!!

Andy Thank you.


I do have a little stock to play with but I will need more for sure.
Your specs are right and it does have a live cross feed and a coolant pump.
The four way tool post is pretty standard on these and they are handy.
I do have some tooling here as well..
There is three phase in the Shed
I do have a bit of experience on a lathe but I am by no means proficient at turning but I will learn.

I agree with others the restoration alone of the lathe is going to be awesome.

Bret

Bret I do hope it will come up as nice as the cold saw, I will give it my best shot.

Nice score on the lathe. I can't wait to see how you clean it up.

xtremek thank you.

Me too

Adding my congrats to all others on the new lathe. It's a beaut! Looking forward to the products that will come from it.
I admire your restraint at auctions. I admit I sometimes enjoy them too much and a particular item will get me bidding when I probably should have let it go. Gotta keep reminding myself there's always another auction coming up.

Enjoy getting that lathe up and running.

Bob

Bob thank you as well

I do luv my auctions, even if I don't buy any thing and you are right there is always another.

And yet another congratulatory note on the lathe. Next you need a mill.
When I first got my own lathe I spent time just turning any and all bits of metal just to play with it and get comfortable with it. No actual project then. Just fun. It was probably a couple of months before I finally used it for a real project, but then I was comfortable and confident with it.
I just sold one of my lathes as I realized that one is enough for me. At least for now.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Craptain things would have to go for me to fit a mill at this point

I will do exactly as you have done and just get familiar with the lathe before I start any thing serious. One lathe is all I can fit now..

Thank you one and all, have a good one.

 

[hewey]

Nice lathe!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Nice lathe!

Hewey thank you I cant wait to get it home.

 

[jon72vega]

Steve,
Good for you on getting the lathe!
I will be following to see your progress on giving it the 1/2 Cup touch.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Steve,
Good for you on getting the lathe!
I will be following to see your progress on giving it the 1/2 Cup touch.

Jon thank you.

I will give it my best shot.

 

[Guster]

I feel like I missed the birth of a friend's firstborn. A first lathe is one of the important events along with first car, first child/grandchild and first mill(in no particular order).

That is a very nice size for a home workshop. Looks like it may have a gap bed too. Very similar to Shorty’s. Belt drive with back gear shaft for lower speeds. Make sure you get the change gears for thread cutting. They should be common with some of the other similar lathes in the market. That one looks like it has a threaded head stock spindle nose and the chuck back plates are threaded on. There should be a little locking screw to loosen up before unscrewing the chuck so you don’t damage the spindle nose thread. Those back plates are a bit rare now most lathes that size use D1-3 or D1-4 camlock back plates. Good if you can identify the thread size and keep an eye out. I think the comparative Jet lathe was 2” or 2.25” and 8 or 10tpi. New back plates are a good project for learning to thread. Especially if you can get a chunk of ductile cast iron. Also good to identify the spindle nose taper – hopefully an MT5 so you can make a 5C Collet adapter later on. The tailstock looks like about a MT3 size which is common at least and easy to get dead centres, live centres, larger taper shank drills and additional chucks and taper shanks for.

If it is just surface rust and no pitting it should clean up very nicely. Rust like that tends to come off nicely with a ScotchBrite 000(grey) pad using WD40 or kerosene to wash the loose rust away. I tend to cut them up into smaller pieces so I can throw them away when they get loaded up. Probably 4 rolls of paper towels in that job too. Some remove the loose powdery surface rust with a fine razor blade first though it just takes a little longer with the 000 pad. The chuck body and drill chuck outside is not critical from using something more abrasive but the 00(maroon) pad will do the job, just a bit more elbow grease. Suggest taking the chuck apart for a good clean anyway. Same with the open gear and feed train parts. Find a nice comfortable space while cleaning that leadscrew – it is tedious. Good to replace the oil in the sumps including the one on the saddle that may have water in it now. Invest in some gearbox oil, way oil and cutting oil for steel and WD40 or kerosene for turning aluminium if you don’t have lots already. Nice to be able to oil parts as soon as they’ve been cleaned. Very few things on a lathe use grease because it traps dirt and cuttings making an abrasive paste. Sealed headstock bearings, chuck planetary ring gear being amongst a very few uses. Good to get hold of the manual and lube instructions for this model. Lanolin or lanokote is a good rust preventative for bare steel tooling and prefer that on the large open surfaces(not the sliding surfaces) and chuck body(jaws I use way oil) - personal preference type of thing. Otherwise I think you are covered for surfaces to lay parts out on while cleaning. Good to start thinking about tool storage too and a great time to fit a DRO while you have it apart and working on it. It is amazing how quickly you can collect a horde of new tools.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Guster what can I say other than a big thank you.


The lathe is just the size for my workshop and will do most of the things that I need. I simply do not have the room for any thing larger unless a bench or two goes.
The lathe is similar in size to Shortys

Thank you very much for your learned advice it will help for sure and I may call on you in future to help as well.
The tail stock is MT3 and there is a live centre in amongst all the bits that come with it. I must say it was a fairly rushed inspection when I looked at it last week.
The rust you see in the picture is only surface rust and it looks worse than it actually is but as you say will be a tedious job to get it to look nice.

I can't wait to get cracking on it to give it a thorough clean and lubrication.
I have already started looking at more tooling than what comes with the lathe and what I already have here.

Once again thank you for your invaluable insight..

 

[bolensboneyard]

Steve nice lathe. It will open up a whole new world. Positive thinking. I like it!

 

[Theodulf]

Nice score. I've never used a metal turning lathe, even though my old work had a massive one, and so did the school where I did my first prac. I'm told they open up lots of new possibilities though... I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with it.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Great treatise, Guster.

In refinery work we went by the rule that steel expands by 67 times when it oxidizes. That 1/8" scale on an old buried piece meant about 0.002" of base metal was lost creating it. While this is useful in the strength of the remaining material in structural and pressure containing parts, I find it a bit comforting when cleaning 0.001" of rust off a precision part: the base metal lost was minimal.

When do you get the lathe home? Or has it arrived?

 

[shortykorte]

Thanks a lot for the info Guster, I’ve copied it for reference when I set mine up.

My lathe sounds like it has similar chuck threads. Luckily I have a uncut back plate for the 4 jaw. Hopefully I can turn it down without messing it up.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Guster]

Guster what can I say other than a big thank you.
…
Once again thank you for your invaluable insight..

Just a quick braindump based on having cleaned and restored some machinery. I’d suggest leaving the test of headstock bearings to last as it requires use of the saddle for taking measurements and those need cleaning too. Provided the bearings have had good lube and no rust they are likely clean and I can write another page on replacing those. Otherwise happy to help and share.

Great treatise, Guster.

In refinery work we went by the rule that steel expands by 67 times when it oxidizes. That 1/8" scale on an old buried piece meant about 0.002" of base metal was lost creating it. While this is useful in the strength of the remaining material in structural and pressure containing parts, I find it a bit comforting when cleaning 0.001" of rust off a precision part: the base metal lost was minimal.

When do you get the lathe home? Or has it arrived?

Quite right. The rust at that end of the ways is likely less damage than any wear incurred closer to the headstock.

Thanks a lot for the info Guster, I’ve copied it for reference when I set mine up.

My lathe sounds like it has similar chuck threads. Luckily I have a uncut back plate for the 4 jaw. Hopefully I can turn it down without messing it up.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

That is very handy to have, even as a spare. You never know when you may want to replace a chuck or add a 6-jaw or collet chuck later on. The two key surfaces in the backing plate is that journal surface at the base of the thread and the face and journal on the front. The latter needs to be machined specific to the chuck. It is all best done in place on the lathe. Plenty of youtube videos on the procedure for machining a backplate for a chuck. I just recently made some of those threaded back plates for my dividing head… little smaller but same concept. You should be able to confirm the spindle nose thread spec with a few searches on the internet. www.lathes.co.uk is a good source. Nothing on 1/2Cup’s Herless but I had some hits on it to take a closer look at them. The spindle nose threads are based on a set of common sizes used amongst clones of the same sized lathes. Easier to make compared to a camlock backplate too. Not surprised if Grizzly or other sources still carry manuals for those or their clones with all the relevant information as they sold Jet machinery if I recall.

Looking forward to some shiny lathes!!!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Steve nice lathe. It will open up a whole new world. Positive thinking. I like it!

Bobby thank you.
I have no doubt that the lathe will open up a host of opportunities..

Nice score. I've never used a metal turning lathe, even though my old work had a massive one, and so did the school where I did my first prac. I'm told they open up lots of new possibilities though... I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with it.

Theodulf thank you.
I am just so keen to get going on it but giving it the once over will be fun as well

Great treatise, Guster.

In refinery work we went by the rule that steel expands by 67 times when it oxidizes. That 1/8" scale on an old buried piece meant about 0.002" of base metal was lost creating it. While this is useful in the strength of the remaining material in structural and pressure containing parts, I find it a bit comforting when cleaning 0.001" of rust off a precision part: the base metal lost was minimal.

When do you get the lathe home? Or has it arrived?

Andy Guster did articulate that vey well

I am picking up the lathe tomorrow ( Thursday our time ) and I know what I will be working on for the next few weeks

Thanks a lot for the info Guster, I’ve copied it for reference when I set mine up.

My lathe sounds like it has similar chuck threads. Luckily I have a uncut back plate for the 4 jaw. Hopefully I can turn it down without messing it up.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Shorty, Guster has provided some great info.
I have quite a bit more work to do than you do, any way I will do what I have to do to make it work.
I must admit they look quite similar.

PS you show me yours and I will show you mine..

Just a quick braindump based on having cleaned and restored some machinery. I’d suggest leaving the test of headstock bearings to last as it requires use of the saddle for taking measurements and those need cleaning too. Provided the bearings have had good lube and no rust they are likely clean and I can write another page on replacing those. Otherwise happy to help and share.

Guster duly noted

I will be asking you quite a bit by the looks of things.

Quite right. The rust at that end of the ways is likely less damage than any wear incurred closer to the headstock.




That is very handy to have, even as a spare. You never know when you may want to replace a chuck or add a 6-jaw or collet chuck later on. The two key surfaces in the backing plate is that journal surface at the base of the thread and the face and journal on the front. The latter needs to be machined specific to the chuck. It is all best done in place on the lathe. Plenty of youtube videos on the procedure for machining a backplate for a chuck. I just recently made some of those threaded back plates for my dividing head… little smaller but same concept. You should be able to confirm the spindle nose thread spec with a few searches on the internet. www.lathes.co.uk is a good source. Nothing on 1/2Cup’s Herless but I had some hits on it to take a closer look at them. The spindle nose threads are based on a set of common sizes used amongst clones of the same sized lathes. Easier to make compared to a camlock backplate too. Not surprised if Grizzly or other sources still carry manuals for those or their clones with all the relevant information as they sold Jet machinery if I recall.

Looking forward to some shiny lathes!!!

Guster there is very little that I could find on the Herless but there will be something similar given that they are a clone of sorts.

I am looking forward to giving mine some spit and polish that's for sure..

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: I know this probably goes without mention that these old lathes weigh a bit more than they look so best of luck in the move and the spiffing up.

i'll be in my chair watching cause owning and using a lathe is on some sort of list I have so take lots of pictures if you have time during the spiffing up.

good luck!!

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: I know this probably goes without mention that these old lathes weigh a bit more than they look so best of luck in the move and the spiffing up.

i'll be in my chair watching cause owning and using a lathe is on some sort of list I have so take lots of pictures if you have time during the spiffing up.

good luck!!

Drives they do weigh a fair bit but I am lucky that where I am picking it up from has a forklift. I do have lifting gear in the shed that will help me get it off the trailer and like Shorty I also have dollies to help me move it around.

Owning a lathe is some thing I have wanted for a long time but I have been able to make do in using other peoples and works lathes. Its will be just so nice to use my own..

There will be plenty of pictures that's for sure.

 

[Denwood]

1/2, nice score on the lathe! Having one of those on hand for all your racing projects should be a real treat. If you're lugging lathes around, this also must mean you're feeling better too. Awesome.

 

[Redwolf947]

Congratulations on the new to you lathe. I hope someday to have one as well. There are so many different projects to make use of one!

 

[Guster]

Herless and Hercus were very much resellers. Not unlike Machineryhouse machines. I guess even Boxford was a local variant of the Myford and Sheldon ancestry.

Had a little time to search for you this morning. I thought it may be an 11CUK(similar to a SSB-16CS) but the side covers and thread selection gearbox ‘bump-out’ is not present. Looks like an in between rebadged import model around early 90’s from what I can tell and the model number will confirm if it is an SSB-15BS.

The lathe appears to be a clone of the Shun Shin SSB-15BS and plenty of manuals around for download on that brand/model if you search for it. Looks like the more popular Australian DIY version called the Hercus 260(found here in NZ too) had similar origins. It should have enough detail and measurements to verify. Especially the spindle nose thread and taper which would be specific to the range. The lube and maintenance instructions would be identical either way. The lift instructions are handy too - as in where and how to sling it.

Hope that helps.

 

[Craptain]

Good info Guster. But Boxford was a licensed copy of South Bend, which I have. At least for part of the history. I can't speak for all the lathes.
Most lathes for the last several years are made in a limited number of factories. It's just a question of finding which one is yours. Like my mill which is a re-named Rong-Fu.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[Guster]

Good info Guster. But Boxford was a licensed copy of South Bend, which I have. At least for part of the history. I can't speak for all the lathes.
Most lathes for the last several years are made in a limited number of factories. It's just a question of finding which one is yours. Like my mill which is a re-named Rong-Fu.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Yeah, I got both wrong... The company was Denford(not Myford) and licensed the build of some Southbend-patterned machines. Which Sheldon also took their inspiration from. Denford also partnered or absorbed into Harrison machinery if I recall. Lot of Harrison machinery in Au and NZ too. Herbert was another that looks like it inherited it's bones from Southbend. Same with Raglan and some of the other shortlived makes and models of the era.

I also used an original rebadged Rong-Fu sold by Bemato, for a few years which was a much better machine than the newer produced clones. The newer clone I refurbished for my dad had the same footprint but about 20% lighter and very roughly built by comparison.

 

[03.]

Hey Steve,
Is there a lathe in your shed yet?

Cheers

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2, nice score on the lathe! Having one of those on hand for all your racing projects should be a real treat. If you're lugging lathes around, this also must mean you're feeling better too. Awesome.

Thank you Dennis

Having a lathe will be just so handy.

I am feeling a lot better but still have to take care.

Congratulations on the new to you lathe. I hope someday to have one as well. There are so many different projects to make use of one!

Redwolf947 thank you.

It is some thing I have wanted for a long time and it will be very useful let me tell you.

Herless and Hercus were very much resellers. Not unlike Machineryhouse machines. I guess even Boxford was a local variant of the Myford and Sheldon ancestry.

Had a little time to search for you this morning. I thought it may be an 11CUK(similar to a SSB-16CS) but the side covers and thread selection gearbox ‘bump-out’ is not present. Looks like an in between rebadged import model around early 90’s from what I can tell and the model number will confirm if it is an SSB-15BS.

The lathe appears to be a clone of the Shun Shin SSB-15BS and plenty of manuals around for download on that brand/model if you search for it. Looks like the more popular Australian DIY version called the Hercus 260(found here in NZ too) had similar origins. It should have enough detail and measurements to verify. Especially the spindle nose thread and taper which would be specific to the range. The lube and maintenance instructions would be identical either way. The lift instructions are handy too - as in where and how to sling it.

Hope that helps.

Guster thank you for taking the time to do this for me its much appreciated.

I can not find a model number anywhere and I will post a pic tomorrow.

Good info Guster. But Boxford was a licensed copy of South Bend, which I have. At least for part of the history. I can't speak for all the lathes.
Most lathes for the last several years are made in a limited number of factories. It's just a question of finding which one is yours. Like my mill which is a re-named Rong-Fu.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Craptain Guster is right on the ball

Yeah, I got both wrong... The company was Denford(not Myford) and licensed the build of some Southbend-patterned machines. Which Sheldon also took their inspiration from. Denford also partnered or absorbed into Harrison machinery if I recall. Lot of Harrison machinery in Au and NZ too. Herbert was another that looks like it inherited it's bones from Southbend. Same with Raglan and some of the other shortlived makes and models of the era.

I also used an original rebadged Rong-Fu sold by Bemato, for a few years which was a much better machine than the newer produced clones. The newer clone I refurbished for my dad had the same footprint but about 20% lighter and very roughly built by comparison.

Guster this lathe is heavy, real heavy.

Now that I have it home I will post some more pics tomorrow.


Thanks again, appreciated.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Lathe is home!!!

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: good to hear your lathe made it home. is it going in the Shed Downunder or do you have plans to make the big garage at the WEST WING your machine shop?

take it easy moving that heavy guy around and best of luck on the restoration which i'm guessing has already started or will soon.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Hey Steve,
Is there a lathe in your shed yet?

Cheers

03 not quite, it is still on my trailer in the driveway safely.

Lathe is home!!!

Andy yep but not in the shed as yet. Boy have I got some cleaning up to do.

1/2: good to hear your lathe made it home. is it going in the Shed Downunder or do you have plans to make the big garage at the WEST WING your machine shop?

take it easy moving that heavy guy around and best of luck on the restoration which i'm guessing has already started or will soon.

Thank you Drives. It will live in the Shed Downunder for the time being.

It is heavy that's why it is still on the trailer until I can muster a few able bodies to give me a hand, no big deal but I am going to give it a thorough clean down first up.


Thank you one and all have a great day.

 

[HOTFR8]

Any plans for the weekend? Off loading the Lathe I guess if you can. Otherwise whats on in the 'Shed Downunder' this weekend?

 

[octane_matty]

Congrats on the lathe! Looks the same age and possibly even model as mine. Is it a 10ssb? Or 12? Herless or other Taiwanese branded? Let me know if you want pics of the manual.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Any plans for the weekend? Off loading the Lathe I guess if you can. Otherwise whats on in the 'Shed Downunder' this weekend?

HOTFR8 where do I start but it goes like this:

. Unload lathe.
. Clean down Lathe. ( which will take a month of Sundays )
. Order Lathe accessories I don't have.
. Rover K Series cylinder head port and polish.


PS: Mrs 1/2 Cup is up in Gosford

https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/central-coast/gosford-area/gosford

with our youngest Cameron and family helping them paint their new home and celebrating our No.3 grandson Issacs 2 nd birthday.
So I have been batching for the last week and have had a free reign in the shed the last week.

. Lawns and watering are also on the agenda as it has been as dry as here.
. Visit Dad.
. Walk Shelby
In short I will not be looking for something to do around here but I will enjoy it.

 

[HOTFR8]

I am sure you missed one and that is taking Shelby for a walk. You sound busy and that is a good thing. We did get 10.5 mm of rain here this week so I have been busy mowing something I have to do weekly at present.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Wife is out of town for a week.

Husband buys and brings home lathe.

Husband is eager to get lathe in shed and out of sight.

How long before Mrs 1/2 Cup learns of the lathe?

In my humble opinion one does not need help unloading a lathe like yours. It is too heavy to manhandle so chain falls and slow methodical rigging and lifting is in order. How much does it weigh? My one ton engine hoist handled mine very well. Not that you need my assistance in unloading it, but I had fun telling you what I would do.

You could at least have shown us a picture of it on the trailer...

 

[1/2 Cup]

I am sure you missed one and that is taking Shelby for a walk. You sound busy and that is a good thing. We did get 10.5 mm of rain here this week so I have been busy mowing something I have to do weekly at present.

HOTFR8 I clean forgot about Shelby, plus she will be under my feet any way.
No rain at all here but the lawns are growing well though.