Some new machines... I think the monarchs are high end, so owning a new high end machine (with a new set of problems) is not worth as much as having a tried and true master... She just needs (well all three) a little pampering, and she'll treat you right.
I’m not about to give up on these old beasts. It will be years of work at my methodical plodding, but the machines will continue to be improved along with (hopefully) my skills. It really is a hobby/passion though, not a pragmatic approach to making things. These rough patches just point out things that need doing.
Let me know how work on your 61 goes. Nice looking machine from your earlier pictures.
Randal,
Yes, some smaller roller bearings. The jib is also a bearing mounted shaft, a ridiculous overkill. I wouldn’t lift more than 100 lbs with it. But I wouldn’t be without it, very helpful for changing chucks, or pulling the tailstock, etc.
Looks like it can take more than 100lbs
I have hung my weight from it in three directions as a load test, so that is about 2.5x 100 lbs. Wall won’t allow full 360 degrees. But I like a good safety margin. The base is not embedded in concrete, it integrated with square tube that extends under the lathe as well as to the back and out to the sides. In essence the lathe sits on the crane base, raising the lathe up a bit over 2” to a good work height for me. So if I rearrange the crane goes with the lathe. Important since the DRO and control panel are mounted to the crane.
