Hardinge KL-1

[pauly45]

Hello,
I have fairly recently been lucky enough to get hold of a Hardinge KL-1 lathe, and though it would be good to share some of my experiences with it.

I know the history of the machine for most of it's life as it came from the company at which I work, so most of what I plan to write about is, at least initially, about getting it to function.
I hope this will also be a record for myself as well for what I did, so I apologise if some of the things I write about have already been covered!

This is going in my garage, so no 3-phase there. It's the conversion to single phase - that's the first job.

Here is the lathe:



I'm not entirely sure of the manufacture date, as the serial number lists seem to be for US versions, not UK versions.

Searching the various forums tells me:

The main motor is a dual speed 0.5hp/1.5hp 415V_ac 3 phase motor.

The speed change motor is a dual voltage (240V_ac/415V_ac) 1/20hp three phase motor.

The coolant pump motor is also a dual voltage (240V_ac/415V_ac) three phase motor.

The carriage feed motor is a 90V_dc motor.

My initial aim is to power the dual speed main motor, really just to prove that the lathe is actually functioning, and there’s nothing seriously wrong with it.

Paul.