New Cromwell S800 MK3 Lathe

valleyboy101

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New Cromwell S800 MK3 Lathe - 2 Pages Now

Hi All,
In my previous posts New Lathe Thursday and New Lathe Thursday and Movin in Monday I posted some pictures of the new to me Cromwell S800 Mk3 which I purchased from the Canadian govt. If asked a couple of weeks ago I would have said that I have a 13" Collchester Student and it's all the lathe I need. True enough but when I saw this unusual precision lathe with tooling and read up on it, I knew it was a one time opportunity.
It has been home a week and I have the base cabinet cleaned, sanded and painted one coat.
The plan is to get a nice finish on the base and then install a sheet of heavy poly over the chip tray and set the lathe down on it. That way when I'm cleaning and painting the lathe, the poly should save the newly painted chip tray from getting scarred up by solvent etc.
I had the paint store mix up some paint to match a sample I took in, but the first coat on the base looks a lot different than the sample. However it is still a nice colour and it may change as it dries - I've had that happen before. I do have the tailstock but forgot to put it on for the pics.
Below is a link to the UK Lathe site for the lathe as well as some pic of the progress.
http://www.lathes.co.uk/cromwell/
Thanks,
Michael
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That's a really nice lathe. It looks to be lightly used and in real good shape. Thanks for the pics. I'm looking forward to your progress.
 
Today I got the second coat of paint on the base. Not really happy with the paint - it doesn't level out like it should. Today I sanded out all the brush marks from the first coat - only to redo them on the second coat. I'm using top quality brushes and paint. Maybe I should thin it? Shouldn't really be necessary, but maybe. I can live with it in the base if I have to, but not on the lathe itself. I'll have to experiment tomorrow - any ideas. I have an air brush and touch up gun but don't really want to spray in the house in the winter. Thinning may be the only answer.
Tomorrow the lathe goes on the cabinet so at least I wont be crawling around and around the base like a rat, only I have sandpaper or a paint brush in hand.
More pics Sat.
Michael
 
Hi All,
Today I got the lathe back on its base and mostly stripped down, getting ready for cleaning, sanding, and paint. The gear box is slow to reveal some of its secrets of disassembly to me - that is why it is still in place. I could paint without removing it, but would really like to take it apart and give it a good cleaning. Things are actually going good, in that so far I haven't found anything that gives me a sick feeling and sends a cold shiver down my spine. There is some swarf in the carriage and the usual bits of dirt here and there - looks like it has cut a lot of brass. See for yourself, I have attached some pictures below. Any advise from Cromwell gear box diassembly experts, or even other amateurs would be appreciated.
Michael







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I would have posted more photos and some questions but my iphone has quit uploading photos. Lots of hours cleaning parts and almost as many trying to get my photostream back in business. I have a question about the oilers on the lathe - they are a little bit like a zerk fitting but don't lock on. Several of them are even located on the bottom of the part that needs to be oiled ie. the oil has to be pumped upwards. Hopefully I'll have some pictures Tues. to show it better than 1000 words.
Michael
 
Monday I was removing parts from the lathe for cleaning and came across this little jewel - actually the F-N-R tumbler gear set. I was surprised that it is its own gear box and not open mounted as I have seen in the past. I attached 3 pics, 2 before and one after cleaning. In the last picture the steel gear is pushed forward due to the way I set it down.
Michael
The pictures don't seem to be showing up, you can click on the links to see them. Sorry - I'll do better in the future.


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Sorry about the previous post. The phone and computer are communicating again. Where we be without contrary electronics to help us reach levels of frustration and patience that previously couldn't be imagined?
Below are the 3 pics that should have showed up last time.
Michael

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Coming along nicely. Its amazing where brass cuttings can lodge themselves.
Missed your posts on this till now, On the paint, I've used automotive enamel hardener in regular enamel paint with great results, it sets way quicker and gives a better sheen. But does give off its own vapours, they don't last long but might be a problem in the house.

Keep up the posts

Greg
 
Hi Greg,

I changed brands of paint from Ben Moore to Beauitone and it is really a lot better at leveling out. I started putting the lathe back together today. The reason I finished the bed was to earn spousal credits. Once I finished the bed I was given the rest of the month off, for play. I should have more pictures tomorrow, but I also have some prep work to do for the family Christmas dinner. My greatest Christmas wish is for Santa to help me figure out the electricals.
Michael
 
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The lathe is back on it's base and mostly together. I still haven't got the correct setup of the thrust bearings at the right end of the lead screw, but I'll get there. I haven't installed the cross slide and the compound because I discovered they were engine turned (jeweled). I'm not sure if it is original from the factory or done by an owner (the Canadian Govt. was the original owner and I don't think they would have done it, so maybe it is originnal). It is virtually all worn off, but still bright under a brass protractor plate. I don't really want to take the time right now but it would sure look sweet. Although I have always wanted to try it I have never done engine turning before so I will practice on a scrap and see how I do.
Michael

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