1908 Lodge and Shipley lead screw reverse

[pazaicjr]

I have recently acquired a 1908 L&S 18x10 lathe. I have figured out everything else except how to reverse the lead screw. When I engage the half nuts for threading, The carriage only will move away from the chuck. How do I thread towards the chuck with this machine?

 

[benmychree]

There is a handle directly above the QC box at the left end of the headstock, this is the control for the tumbler gear assembly, which reverses both the feeds and threads, it is likely locked in position by a bolt in a slot, most all lathes reverse in that manner. On the end view, you can plainly see the handle, bolt, and slot.

 

[pazaicjr]

Ok I tried moving that lever and it wouldn't move except for lash in the gears. I'll take another look.

 

[pazaicjr]

I took another look at that lever and I think it is to adjust for smaller gears. It is connected to the middle two gears and will only move down towards the quick change gearbox if smaller gears are installed.

 

[benmychree]

no, it is as I suggested, that is the reverse device; different gears are accomodated below the device.

 

[pazaicjr]

Do I have to remove a gear? As the machine sits now, that lever will not move more than a 1/8th of a inch.

 

[benmychree]

Confusing! I can't see it all well enough to say much more, but typically most lathes have what is called a tumbler gear to reverse the lead screw and feed rod, the tumbler gears mesh when engaged, with the gear on the spindle end, one gear, or the other gear, it is difficult for me to see what is meshing with what, and what function that lever has.Also, I am wondering if the reverse function may be in the bottom gear, does it slide on the shaft? It looks to be much narrower than the upper gears.

 

[pazaicjr]

Figured it out. Remove center left gear completely. Flip center right gear and lower gear around.

 

[pazaicjr]

All that lever does is adjust the lash of those gears. I have a milk crate full of different size gears that I'm starting to understand go on that lever to change feed rates.

 

[benmychree]

It is surprising that a relatively modern machine (quick change invented about 1898) would have such a primitive way to reverse the threads/feeds. Feed rates and threads should be changed by the quick change mechanism, I would suspect that the change gears are for special threads, I made a set of them for special threads, diametral pitch leads and metric threads for my 19" Regal Leblond.