Clausing 6300 cradle handle help

[Gorgok]

I am missing the plunger/knob/sleeve on my rebuild project and was just going to make one to fix it, but i am not sure if there is something else wrong in the handle as its function is confusing me. (I also don't quite know what the end of the plunger should look like.)

So in the handle there is a gear they call the clutch lock and a clutch. But as far as i can tell they never do anything on my machine. If i move the handle stub (hollow tube is empty) down the spring turns the retainer and the cradle goes up and meshes gears. If i let go the handle flies up and cradle falls. If i drop a punch in there it catches the housing lip and stops it from flying up and meshes gears just fine for threading. At no point has the gear done anything as far as i can tell... so what is the point of it? It is possible something else was broken in the handle to make it function even without a plunger, so i am unsure of that as well...

Anyone have pictures of the parts in question? Or an explanation of the function of the clutch? Or both?

 

[justanengineer]

Hi Gorgok, just got your PM but thought I'd post here in case this thread brings others folks googling these lathes here for help.

I'm attaching a link to the combined operations & parts manual for the various 6300 models. The second link goes to Calhark's thread on his 5400 rebuild in case you havent seen it. His 5400 is basically a 6300 with an older style headstock and gearbox, so if your problems arent in those two areas he may be able to help.

Your description sounds like the gearbox and/or leadscrew clutch have issues, luckily they look far more complicated than they are. The clutch handle should lock down to engage the leadscrew via a spring loaded plunger. I dont recall too many details as mine never had issues with that but will check my pics and see if I can find something to help. My lathe is currently in storage but I'll be visiting in the next few days so can take pics and possibly help.

If you lock the clutch handle down via your punch, does the gearbox seem to operate fine otherwise? Keep in mind these arent syncronized gearboxes so you may have to rock the geartrain (ie. rock the chuck) a bit to get things to mesh. Also, your handle may be a bit different than the manual shows, mine is a knurled steel tube.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/181/6990.pdf

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350220

Also, welcome to GJ!

 

[justanengineer]

Attaching a pic from when I was just starting on my lathe, is the issue the black clutch handle pointing upward?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gorgok]

Yeah, its that handle bit. It operates the gears fine, with punch stuck in the hole and caught on the lip of the internal housing (the anchor in the manual), but it just seems like a waste of parts internally...

In that manual, which i have used plenty so far, the parts i simply cannot comprehend the use for are on page 14/14A (though technically my serial number is lower than the note range start point) the over riding clutch, clutch lock (and its springs/rollers).

The only thing i can think of is that the plunger should have a point on it (not like my flat punches) that meshes into the gear teeth of the clutch. But why it would do that i am not sure. Does it somehow help engage the gears, then slip when on the way back up before the plunger stops on the housing (anchor)? That almost sounds like it makes sense actually...

 

[Gorgok]

I may have rotated the shaft which lifts the cradle too, so am unsure if it is set on the right tooth anymore. And seeing as i (usually) have a great memory i forgot to take pictures, and my 'set screw was accessible' locating hint is not as useful as i expected since i may have had the cradle up or down or any spot in between...

Here it is sort of assembled, handle up:

Handle down, no locking pin engaged but gears are meshing fine:

And here is the part that i am totally unclear about in function, with probably the correct orientation:

But it could also go like this:

And that is basically a one way clutch, but what it is doing in there i haven't a clue.