[Newbie] Doall 15 Lathe

I have a Harrison that may be similar. Look at the lead screw where it enters the gear box. It may have a sliding collar that disengages the lead screw when pulled out towards the tail stock and engages when pushed in.

IMG_2164.jpg
 
I agree; instead of just trying different levers, look at the spindle and follow the gear train to see how they must connect to make the feed screw turn. You'll end up with a much better understanding of the lathe.
I agree with you but I don't think I can do that until I get it home. My wanting to try the levers is hoping to find the solution while the three phase power is still hooked up. I assume by "Following the gear train", I would need to disassemble something? If not perhaps you could help me understand what you mean by that. Thank you.
LaVern
 
I have a Harrison that may be similar. Look at the lead screw where it enters the gear box. It may have a sliding collar that disengages the lead screw when pulled out towards the tail stock and engages when pushed in.

View attachment 125763
I'll have to check that out next week. The Do all is like the lathe pictured here. http://www.lathes.co.uk/harrison/page17.html I will try to download the image from that page here. It looks like it worked. Again thanks for everybody's input and advice.
LaVern

Harrison 15 lathe.jpg
 
I agree with you but I don't think I can do that until I get it home. My wanting to try the levers is hoping to find the solution while the three phase power is still hooked up. I assume by "Following the gear train", I would need to disassemble something? If not perhaps you could help me understand what you mean by that. Thank you.
LaVern
No disassembly, just open the gear cover on the left and look to see what drives what. The gear on the spindle drives another gear, which might have an idler that can be inserted to reverse the driven direction. You should be able to do this even without powering up the lathe; in fact I would recommend not powering up the lathe until you know what the gears do.
Eventually an input shaft for the quick change gear box (QCGB) is driven. The cover for that may also need to be lifted off or unscrewed but it may be well worth your time to see the gears in there, unless they're in an oil bath, in which case you might not see much. They are what drive the power feed or lead screw. If you do this you should be able to see where the disconnect is happening.
Post pictures! You'll do just fine.
 
Hello LaVern

That looks like a very stout lathe. It could be something as simple as a shear pin where the lead screw connects to the gear box shafting. I do believe that it is worth the risk for buying at $500.00, as I'm sure that it will be fixable, but as far as getting your $500.00 worth in scrap value, I don't think so. I sold an old lathe for scrap a few years ago, when scrap prices for cast iron were around $170.00/ton. My lathe weighed #2220 lbs and I received around $175.00. Today's scrap iron pricing around here is about $85.00/ton. If I am correct, it would take nearly 5 ton of weight to pay out $500.00.

All that aside, I would jump on that lathe for $500.00 :)

Brian
 
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No disassembly, just open the gear cover on the left and look to see what drives what. The gear on the spindle drives another gear, which might have an idler that can be inserted to reverse the driven direction. You should be able to do this even without powering up the lathe; in fact I would recommend not powering up the lathe until you know what the gears do.
Eventually an input shaft for the quick change gear box (QCGB) is driven. The cover for that may also need to be lifted off or unscrewed but it may be well worth your time to see the gears in there, unless they're in an oil bath, in which case you might not see much. They are what drive the power feed or lead screw. If you do this you should be able to see where the disconnect is happening.
Post pictures! You'll do just fine.

Thanks Steve. I guess I'll have to take a look at it next week and determine if I want to bring it home first. More than likely that is what I'll do.

LaVern
 
Hello LaVern

That looks like a very stout lathe. It could be something as simple as a shear pin where the lead screw connects to the gear box shafting. I do be live that it is worth the risk for buying at $500.00, as I'm sure that it will be fixable, but as far as getting your $500.00 worth in scrap value, I don't think so. I sold an old lathe for scrap a few years ago, when scrap prices for cast iron were around $170.00/ton. My lathe weighed #2220 lbs and I received around $175.00. Today's scrap iron pricing around here is about $85.00/ton. If I am correct, it would take nearly 5 ton of weight to pay out $500.00.

All that aside, I would jump on that lathe for $500.00 :)

Brian
You are probably correct on the price as scrap, but in reality I have no intention of scrapping it. I do hope the feed screw problem is probably a minor fix. Still a lot of lathe for $500. I guess I'll have to see how it all turns out. Thanks.

LaVern
 
Thanks Steve. I guess I'll have to take a look at it next week and determine if I want to bring it home first. More than likely that is what I'll do.

LaVern
For the record, I'm with Brian; for $500 I would buy it. Chances are it's something easily fixable.


Steve Shannon
 
I'll have to check that out next week. The Do all is like the lathe pictured here. http://www.lathes.co.uk/harrison/page17.html I will try to download the image from that page here. It looks like it worked. Again thanks for everybody's input and advice.
LaVern
Well, you are one lucky dog! I paid $600 for my 13" Sheldon, which was a good deal, but not compared to this deal.

Going by the image you show, it is the newer one. The manual is for purchase on the uk site, but the DoAll company should be able to help you as well. They list several service/parts companies on their website that deal with servicing lathes.

As others have posted, there is a cover on the end of the lathe that comes off exposing the gear train for the feed drive.
 
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