Reverse rant

[woodfarmer]

Today I was machining more stainless steel (en316) on the Holbrook using HSS tooling. Even now after 90 years of abuse it will still repeat to 2/10th's of a thou. with a sharp tool, it will cut to a size, run the tool again at same number and it just squeaks, add 1/5 of a thou to the wheel and a thin sliver peals off. and you can continue to take those 1/5's of a graduation off one by one.

I am so pleased I rescued it from being scrapped back in 1970. I fixed the original fault it had then and the reason for its removal from a machine shop. and since my little refurbishment last autumn have discovered another botch up from those days. It is getting better but I doubt it will ever look new again.

They definitely don't make them like they used to.

 

[woodpig]

Got any pics?

 

[woodfarmer]

Got any pics?

You bad boy! I tried to take some today, and was so engrossed it trying to get photos of it machining that I machined the wrong bit so destroying one of them

It is surprisingly difficult to get a digital camera to focus close up to a lathe cutting. I can see it perfectly but the camera is inclined to get all fuzzy with or without flash.

 

[woodpig]

Oops, sorry! A stationary pic of the machine will do though

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

er.....no. I think we want to see slow mo up close action of a single piece of swarf being peeled off something cool

 

[woodfarmer]

Ok I tried, but what with small pics only allowed and a shaky hand photo's not good.

the one with the tool cutting has a 2/10 thou shaving coming off it. this small they just flip over and pour down behind the tool and under the work piece. Metric thread cut on imperial machine

and the beast, workshop is still under construction but at least the floor is strong enough for it. ( 6 inches thick concrete)

 

[woodfarmer]

A sort of before and after during the recommissioning.

result of a mixture of elbow grease, diesel and wire wool.

 

[woodpig]

Nice looking Lathe, makes my 8 x 14" look like a baby!

 

[woodfarmer]

I was used to Wards and Herberts ( turret lathes) bigger than this in the 1960's. By chance I found this about to be thrown out for scrap by a small engineering works back in 1970. I wanted a centre lathe for home use as they are very adaptable. Up until then I had never heard of Holbrook, only DSG, Colchester etc.
It was chattering when facing off. After I had used it a bit in my shed I decided to fix it as it seemed a pretty good little lathe worth a set of new head bearings. When I got to the bearing the end cap screws were loose, never been tightened by the "reconditioners" it is a big white metal bearing like a main bearing in a car engine. After that was fine except it doesn't like to part off. I discovered when I recommissioned it last summer that the second cross slide screw bearing is broken and missing. So a little job to do. (too much backlash).

 

[woodpig]

It's worth doing up these old machines if you can as they are better made than the new ones coming from China.
I've used a couple of the Harrison's they had where I used to work and they were very nice machines. They bought a brand new Harrison not long before I left but this one was made in Poland! Not sure if it needs running in for a few years but it was very noisy compared to the English built ones.