Boxford AUD Diary

May 29 2006 : Went to pick up the lathe it was a near 300 mile round trip, but worth it if the machine was as good as the seller made out. When I got there the seller had disconnected and partly dismantled the lathe. I insisted he let me hear it run - see the "buying tips page". He had also said that it could be transported in a hatchback car - yeh right! I was glad I have a 7 seater people carrier - with all the rear seats removed, the lathe and the cabinet, plus accessories JUST fitted in. I would have hated to turn up to collect this in a normal hatchback - no way would it have fitted. Also, if you are going to collect such a machine - you need 3 people to handle it safely, even with the bed separated from the cabinet. Don't risk trying to move it with less pepole - you will almost certainly hurt yourself!

May 30 2006 : I took apart the Dewhurst reversing switch as the motor didn't always kick in when I moved it to one of the run positions. The lathe is fitted with a single phase motor, so I suspected the starter winding was not always being energised correctly, this page has pictures of the switch and details of the minor refurbishment I performed on it. There is more to do though - as you will see.

June 01 2006: Decided to check the spindle for run-out - how I did it and the results are on this page.

June 03 2006: Started the rewire of the lathe, by fitting an external emergency stop button. Due to the UK building regulations for rewiring (known as "Part P"), any additional permanent wiring needs to be inspected by a "competent person" and a certificate issued, I therefore decided to permanently wire the lathe to the emergeny stop switch and provide the feed via a flex with a 3 pin 13 amp plug. This means the wiring is not classed as permanent and are exempt from the inspection requirement. Luckily I had wired the workshop (which was originally built in 2003) with lots of sockets and with lighting prior to the Part P inspection regulations coming into force. My dad was an electrician for 50+ years (now retired), but because he doesn't have the relevant paper qualification, he is not considered to be a "competent person" - what a farce !

June 04 2006: I Cut some chipboard to make a shelf for the coolant tank/pump and to replace the missing shelves in the right side of the cabinet. Also I was sent a link to the "J Ward Lathe Parts" web site. Spares seem to be quite cheap here - certainly cheaper than the big online engineering supply companies. I have my eye on an imperial thread dial gauge and some gears required for metric thread cutting.

June 05 2006 : The coolant system I ordered from Axminster Power Tool Centre arrived today. For pictures and a description of the fitting, click here. I also purchased a travelling steady from eBay for £34.50.

June 06 2006 : I have ordered an imperial thread dial indicator, new bronze nuts for the slides and some changegears from J Ward Lathe Parts.

June 10 2006 : Purchased a lathe setting bar and set up the lathe ready for use. Pictures and explanation of the process here

Sept 02 2006 : The items I ordered from J Ward Lathe Parts finally arrived (yes it took almost 3 months - 3 times longer than the originally quoted 1 month) - the quality of the items is acceptable but if you are in a hurry I'd look elsewhere for your spares.