Remove Carrage from Clausing 1957 (I believe Master) 13 x 36 Engine Lathe?

dansawyer

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The lathe is a 1957 13 X 36 Engine lathe. I am trying to remove the carrage so as to inspect the apron. I have removed the 4 allen bolts holding the apron to the carrage, the rear gib, and the locking gib. The carrage is still firmly fixed to the bed; it appears to be free of the apron.
The parts list shows a front gib. Does anyone have experience locating and removing this gib?
(This only place I can speculate it could be is nearly imposible to get to without removing the lead screw and then the apron. That would multiply the job by an order of magnitude.)
Thanks in advance, Dan
 

This is the best I can do for this. I am curious if you've found something that makes you think it's necessary. Surely it's not that poor finish you were asking about?
 

This is the best I can do for this. I am curious if you've found something that makes you think it's necessary. Surely it's not that poor finish you were asking about?
The control arm parts in the apron are very loose. I don't believe the banding is a spindle issue. The only thing with a period similar to the banding is the rotation of the feed rod. That was enough of a connection to try to inspect the apron. However as the video shows removing the apron requires removing the lead screw. That is a bit more than I want to tackle at the moment.
If I use a slow manual feed the finish is acceptable. I plan to use power feed for the rough work and then manual feed for the finish. That will work for the current project.
Thanks for the post.
 
I don't believe it's a spindle issue either. I don't think its an apron issue either. But you are the one standing in front of it. Nobody will know as well as you. I do hope you've tried a more traditional grind toolbit. The one you are using doesn't look like it would work for anything that I do.
 
On my 6300 Clausing the carriage will slide off the end of the bed with just removing the lead screw support bracket while leaving the lead screw in place.
 
I don't believe it's a spindle issue either. I don't think its an apron issue either. But you are the one standing in front of it. Nobody will know as well as you. I do hope you've tried a more traditional grind toolbit. The one you are using doesn't look like it would work for anything that I do.
The feed rod is slightly bent, when it rotates it causes the auto feed mechanism in the apron to noticeably move, affecting alignment. This eithor changes the feed rate enough to cause the banding or it actually causes the carrage alignment to change. (this would seem to be unlikely except that the near side gib is not a precision fit. all that would have to happen is for the rod to cause the carrage to move on the 45 degree way.)
I will only use carrage feed to rough the part and then finish with manual feed. The final step is to cut an acme thread, that will not use the feed rod.
(I will check the lead screw for straightness before this step)
 
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Like I say, you will know better than me. I'm no master of machine tools myself. But it's a strangely unique problem insofar as the reading I've done would indicate. I hope you're right, and keep us updated. You never know when your findings may help someone else down the road.
 
Well, there is nothing truely new under the sun:
This describes exactly what is happening:
"When turning, whether manually or with the lead screw, a momentary stop in lateral motion will produce a "ring" similar to what you describe. This happens because the tool makes a "spring cut" at that point, cutting very slightly deeper. "
Well, now to straighten the feed rod. (I hope the lead screw is straight.)
 
That thread kinda fell off without ever coming to a conclusion. But the quoted message does support your hypothesis. It looks like he found several manufacturing defects before he stopped posting entirely. His feed rod wasn't bent, but the bearing journals were off axis, the spindle nose was not perfectly perpendicular to the ways, he could "feel" a binding gear in the gear train, and his carriage gibs were loose.
The main thing that makes it seem your onto something is that manually feeding makes the problem go away. It appears as if there has to be something wrong with the feed. Hopefully you will find it with minimal disassembly. I don't think I'd want the job. I was amazed by all the pieces and parts in there watching that video. Let us know how it goes!
 
Quick update: The feed rod does have a small bend, 1/8 inch run out. However what appears to be a larger issue is the mechanism that connects to the feed rod is very loose. The first observation is a bushing may be missing that would maintain alignment between the mechanism and the rod. I do not have a parts list for the model I have, the closest description is a MK1.
(edit) Sept 19, 2021 - I was trying to cut shallow threads in aluminum and noticed when the tool hit a heavier spot the feed would hang momentarily. This resulted in a 'jump' or skip in the feed. I believe this is due to a shift in the power takeoff mechanism. My conclusion is there is actually something missing or broken in the drive feed. Once I get through the current project I will have to schedula a significant refirb of the apron. It is not trust worthy in its current condition.
Another point, as an experiment I was taking an agressive test cut with a new tool holder. When under heavier pressure the mechanism seems to work well. The heavy cut was clean and smooth. The issues are occuring in the transition between light and heavy. There is play that allows the carrage drive to vary as the mechanism moves from light to heavy. Dan
 
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