Niles lathe rehab ...

[FOMOGO]

Have started a new thread here, and included the earlier posts from different forums.



Update on the Niles lathe project. Started disassembling it on site yesterday, will be going back tomorrow to load up all the components, and will be loading the main section latter in the week. Ordered a 7.5hp inverter duty 3 phase motor for it today, which will be mounted overhead using the original line shaft pulleys that came with the lathe. Found them in the boxes of tooling that were included. Thinking this will be my last lathe purchase, but we all know how that song goes. Cheers, Mike

 

[FOMOGO]

Went out and loaded up the Niles lathe and all of the ancillary parts. Was an interesting job, as the lathe was anchored to the floor by six 1 1/2" studs studs set in concrete. Had to raise it above the level of the mounting bolts and then with the use of cribbing, an engine hoist, a floor jack, and a come-along attached to a power pole outside, moved it sideways far enough to clear the the concrete mounting risers, and bolts. Then it was just a matter of lowering it onto the skates, and winching it up to the ramp, which we greased with some of the copious amounts of schmuts covering the machine. Pulled up pretty nicely. Cinched her down, and made the 65mile trip home with no issues. She will be getting a total wash down sometime latter this week, when I hope to find a serial# or some other means to date it. The patent date on the tag says 1891. I'm thinking it's somewhat newer than that, but probably still over a hundred years old. Cheers, Mike

 

[FOMOGO]

After the big wash down it was time to get her moved into her new temporary space. Got her off the trailer with the hoe, and a lot of in and out of the machine, rig and re-rig. Tried moving it with a spud bar once I had it on the skates. She just laughed at me. Resorted to pushing it in with the hoe. Had one dicey moment, but the machinery gods were with me, and the forces of truth, justice, and the American way prevailed, and she is now waiting comfortably for me to get her into operating condition. Tried WD 40, and some Scotchbrite on a few areas, and it looks like it will clean up nicely. Gonna try to put a day a week or so on it while I finish up the building chores. Mike





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FOMOGO said:


After the big wash down it was time to get her moved into her new temporary space. Got her off the trailer with the hoe, and a lot of in and out of the machine, rig and re-rig. Tried moving it with a spud bar once I had it on the skates. She just laughed at me. Resorted to pushing it in with the hoe. Had one dicey moment, but the machinery gods were with me, and the forces of truth, justice, and the American way prevailed, and she is now waiting comfortably for me to get her into operating condition. Tried WD 40, and some Scotchbrite on a few areas, and it looks like it will clean up nicely. Gonna try to put a day a week or so on it while I finish up the building chores. Mike

You are one brave man! And you didn't even move the T-Bird! I've done some cringeworthy moves into/out of the shop with a backhoe and skid loader, but this is amazing! You win.

How long did it take?

Regards,
Terry

 

[FOMOGO]

Spent a few hrs. cleaning up the ways. A lot of real estate to cover yet. Mike

 

[Aukai]

I buy my PB Blaster in a 1 gallon can, and there is a metal trigger bottle to go with it from NAPA.....Acetone, and ATF is a good home penetrant 50:50 also.

 

[markba633csi]

That's one looooong lathe, congrats
-Mark

 

[Martin W]

That’s a lot of great work you are doing. Wish I was closer to help.
Cheers
Martin

 

[NCjeeper]

Glad you made a separate thread. This is one cool lathe.

 

[Winegrower]

Most impressive. What I learned about BIG lathes from the railroad museum is that in addition to being incredibly powerful and capable, a day of using one is just plain work. Even moving the tailstock up or back strikes a little fear in you. But, the fun of turning a 2’ diameter rail car wheel or some 8’ pipe is good compensation for that.

 

[FOMOGO]

Thanks for all the kind words guy's. Martin, I really appreciate the thought, it would be great to have someone close by who was as interested in this stuff as I am, but I'm used to working alone, and just have to be content with what I get accomplished on my own. Winegrower, I'm just glad that it has a powered carriage, and cross slide. Might try to rig up a small winch under the bed with some pulley's to move the tail stock back and forth, as it is a beast to move manually. Cheers, Mike