Internal Fire Museum of Power

Does anyone here have experience of using a big-end, or whitemetal, lathe?
I'm just sorting one out and would welcome usage tips. Its fairly self-evident but as with all machines there will be non-obvious wrinkles.
No pics until the rain stops and I can unsheet it and fetch it inside.

thanks
Roland

Roland,

I've never heard of a white metal lathe, what are its details.

Martin P

Made of cast iron and painted white?

P

Da-da boom tish

Green actually
A short lathe, usually with a driven spindle at each end. A saddle that can be driven or manual and has a long cross-bed casting.(ie the saddle and cross slide are all one casting - there is no top slide).
At one end of the latter is a double V block style clamp for a little end with gudgeon or dummy pin. An adjtustable clamp at the other end allows the big end to be held on the centreline. The shafts take boring and facing/radiusing cutters. Quick set up and rapid change for sets on a single set up.
Easier and better than setting up on lathe or mill and without the need to change sides and re setup.

I hope that's clear? Pics when, if ever, it stops raining

Roland

Thank you, I await pictures.

Martin P

Hi everyone,
Cox and Turner have one of these lathes. I am sure Ian will give you any info you require.
Regards,
Harry

Yes he does, and Hamlins have two.

both are 30 odd miles away and I have both Yorkshire and Cornish blood
Roland

Tightest of the Tight then... Mothers a Porthlevener and they are the tightest around...

I was also intrigued by the lathe, sounds interesting.

Cheers Steve

Hi,
There is one thing I do know about these lathes, and that is that there is a special micrometer
used with them.
Regards,
Harry

I was going to ask today if you had collected it yet. I think Harry means a three-point mike?

Interesting place wasn't it?

E

Pics below. Although filthy its a robust machine and basically sound.

Roland,

I've never seen one before so thats something new for me to learn so my next question is "what do you use it for".

Martin P

The clue is in the title and my first post

ttfn
Roland

looking at the pictures it looks like a line borer other than that I see no clues.

Martin P