Hi from NW London

Hi all,

Relative newbie to 'machining', but seem to have acquired 3 lathes in as many months, all in need of some restoration. I have a 'big' one, a 4.5 x 18 Relmac c1924, a 3.5 x 12 Gamages (badged Portass S) c1955 and a Lorch Schmidt 100mm x 400mm c1913.

I last used a lathe in anger 30y ago so this is a bit of a baptism of fire but had some useful help from the PracticalMachinist US forum.

My interests are mainly in manufacturing bits for the car (suspension parts etc) and a few other projects I have in mind. Have an interest in CNC and by profession I am an IT professional with a strong software and hardware background so quite handy with electronics design, PCB design & layout, soldering iron and PIC programmer - although current projects use the FreeScale ColdFire devices as they are automotive related.

Biggest problem... not enough hours in the day and my family think I am 'sad' playing with 'that stuff in the garage' (mind you they said I was obsessed with my car too, doh!)

Looking for lathe experts in NW London and local places that can straighten spindles and supply new bearings.... all ideas gratefully received.

Irving...

My 'toys'
http://www.kisolutionz.com/ttforum/l...0_1024x768.JPG
http://www.kisolutionz.com/ttforum/l...MG_2809_1k.JPG
http://www.kisolutionz.com/ttforum/l...MG_2836_1k.JPG
http://www.kisolutionz.com/ttforum/castlecoombe3.JPG

Welcome to the forums!, cant wait to see your restoration of these lathes. Will you be looking to part with any and focus on one of them or do you plan to restore all 3 yourself?

Regards,
Lee

Lee,

Plan to keep the big one, maybe keep the Gamages and sell the Lorch as its a plain instrument lathe, interesting but no backgear/screwcutting so not really suitable for my needs. Whether I'll do that before or after restoration I don't know yet. I have complete set of imperial and metric changewheels for the RelMac and a complete set of imperial ones for the Gamages but only one 3 jaw chuck between them!

Here's a pic of the big one mounted on its new welded angle iron stand (ok you can't see that bit much) with nice shiney v-belt and nice new oilers. The motor is mounted below the 'desk' and the v-belt comes up through a slot. The motor has a foot-operated clutch which I will shortly put an interlock on so it can't be started with the clutch engaged. I also need a proper on/off push switch.

http://www.kisolutionz.com/ttforum/l...MG_2863_1k.JPG

Hi, you may have had some problems with the site just now, I’m updating the forum backend files but everything is done now and should be all ok.

Sorry but I’m very new to lathes, can you confirm what one is the Lorch for me please. I’ve had a look on Google but didn’t find anything I could say “yes it’s that one”, how much would you be looking for on the Lorch I would love to do my best at restoring one of these!

Also take a look here:
MYCNCUK on eBay, I have some switches on there so you may find one you like that you can use, if you do order it and wait for me to send you a discounted invoice.

How easy would it be to source the parts for the Lorch ?

Just found this link, its got some good pictures of the lorch’s.

Link: http://www.lathes.co.uk/lorchschmidt/

Yes, I have the info from that site and have chatted to Tony who runs it...

You can see a similar example to mine on the second page http://www.lathes.co.uk/lorchschmidt/page3.html

Here's mu Flickr stream on the Lorch... http://www.flickr.com/photos/irving2008/

Hi, thanks for the links. Ill drop Tony an email and let him know about the site he may be interested!

Also would you like me to put up a Build/Log type forum in the lathe’s section of the site so you can create a log of your progress?Always makes a good thread when people like yourself are willing to share so many and such good pictures like you are doing.

Let me know and I’ll take care of it for you?, I will add the forum anyway as other may use it/like it and you’re always welcome to start a new post/log if you have the time.