My sister arrived last night for Thanksgiving, bringing with her a Delta/Rockwell lathe that she had sitting in her garage for about 5 years, without using it. It’s a 14/40 capacity, 4 speed, with welded legs, but only 1/3 hp. I don’t think it has a live center, or if it does it’s frozen. Has 3 tool rests. Comes with about 10 chisels, though I’m not sure about the quality. 2-3 are Craftsman HSS, the rest are marked Greenlee on the back, and I assume are regular steel. I’m going to try to put it together this morning and see how it runs. A lathe is the last hole I had in my shop. Don’t really need one that much, but would like to learn how to turn a few knobs, etc.
Anybody know where I can get a manual? The lathe is labelled Delta/Rockwell, but I can’t find a model number on it to plug into the Delta website to see if manuals are available.
She was going to give it to me, until she saw a walnut and cherry telephone stand I just finished for our son and his wife and now is hinting that she would like a sofa table of the same style for her hallway. Oh well, minor gloat turns into one more job…..<sigh>
Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT
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Sounds like a pretty good deal! You could dig around at the Old Woodworking Machines website, they have a lot of information including some manuals that are available online. You may be able to find pictures of similar lathes that will help you ID yours. http://www.oldwwmachines.com/
I put it together yesterday morning. It's a 46-111, but with a welded stand, instead of the sheet metal one in the manual I downloaded this morning from Delta. Now, to support my free lathe, I need to buy a low speed grinder, $100; Wolverine jig attachment and accessories, ~$200; buy a live center, $20-$90; chuck, $100; and build my sister a table ($100 worth of material, but $1,000 if I was selling it). So, my free lathe should only cost about $1500 or so in the long run! And the really sick thing is that I will enjoy every second of it!Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT
ALAN, Congratulations on your 'Bonanza' Before you even turn it on, check if it needs lubrication .Standing motionless for all those years probably made the grease/oil harden and possibly get rancid.
Turn the spindle by hand and feel for any sticking or gritty feeling. I would clean and flush any bearings or bushings with kerosene and re oil or grease the bearings (Be they ball or babbitt. )
As far as the 'live center' goes, soak it too in kero, then work it back and forth by hand 'till it moves freely, then oil'
(Live centers 'taint cheap.) Any book on wood lathe operation will teach you the basics. Most importantly, turn your first projects at a slow speed and check for any vibration(off center or imbalanced stock)
If the stock is square in cross section, chamfer the four corners, (On your tablesaw) to make the blank octagonal . Mark a spot on the spur drive and the blank, so if you remove the blank, then when you return it will be in the same orientation. ( INDEXING)
When the blank is reasonably rounded, NOW! increase the speed , but always stand to the side and use a face shield when doing so Good luck STEINMETZ
Thanks for the tips. I've got it set up and running. turns very freely and without any vibration. I polished the top of the bed, bottom of the tailstock, bottom of the tool rest holder and the edges of the most used tool rest. I chucked up a small piece of cherry (rectangular in section, lol) and turned everything on. Runs very smoothly. I even grabbed a gouge and carefully and gingerly made sawdust, not shavings. (All the tools are very dull) But it promply turned down to a cylinder. I downloaded the 1974 manual from the Delta web site and it's full of good turning information, too.
There isn't a live center, though. Just a very sharp spiked dead center in a cone. I think I'm going to order the slow speed grinder in the Woodcraft catalog, and a Wolverine jig set up. I think sharp chisels are the first order of business, then I can worry about things like a live center.Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT
Alan when you say "I chucked up some wood", do you mean you are not using a drive center?
If you don't have one, get one. As far as your 'dead' center is concerned, it's useful ,but you must add a drop of oil occasionally, and after tightening the work between the centers, back off a little on the dead center to avoid burning the wood.
Before you spend all your money on sharpening systems. just get a good oilstone and a couple of 'Slips' (Round tapered honing stones used on gouges)
No neckties or long hair when turning on any lathe. STEINMETZ.
Mis-speaking on my part. Actually put it in between the drive spur and the tail piece. <blush>Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT
Petroleum based grease doesn't become rancid, but may harden as more volatile fractions vaporize. See if the heat of running doesn't liquify the grease. Unless the lathe saw industrial use the bearings should need no attention.
The term "live center" used to mean powered center. Recently it has evolved into a tail-stock center with ball-bearings. Which are you referring to?
The tools mentioned should be of adequate quality until you become experienced. Sharpening can be done with whatever you have used for common chisels.
The lathe is such a simple thing that there is no need for a manual.
Relax and enjoy!
Tom
I'm referring to a ball bearing center. I sharpen my chisels and plane irons by hand with no problems, but these lathe chisels/gouges are so dull, I'm still going to spring for a grinder (since I've been wanting one anyway.)
I know a local turner who I think will be willing to come in to my shop and give me a few lessons once I get set up and ready to go. I can see there are some dedicated turners here and I appreciate all of your responses and encouragement. Right now I'm assuming that turning will only be a minor part of my woodworking, but I know that it's pretty addictive, according to a lot of people.
Thanks to all who responded.Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT
Alan:
Packard Woodworks: http://www.packardwoodworks.com/
Revolving (live) centers:
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=lathes-acc-cent-revtail
Veritas Grinder Rest:
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=141402&Category_Code=sharp-veritas
If you have a light hand, you don't need a slow speed grinder. I keep a can of peanut oil near the grinder to cool things with.
Have fun!
Great site. I've got it bookmarked, many thanks.Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT
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