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Thread: Saving an old lathe

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Saving an old lathe

    I was given an old lathe. Catch is I have to move it.
    Looks like it hasn't been used for a long time.
    After a spray with PB Blaster, everything still moves.
    Taking it apart so I can carry it.
    So far got everything home but the cabinet that holds the motor and speed change.
    It's an old Sheldon. Looks like everything is there.
    Surface rust, but look like it will clean up.
    Took pictures after I took off some parts.
    Attachment 205345

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by abunaitoo View Post
    I was given an old lathe. Catch is I have to move it.
    Looks like it hasn't been used for a long time.
    After a spray with PB Blaster, everything still moves.
    Taking it apart so I can carry it.
    So far got everything home but the cabinet that holds the motor and speed change.
    It's an old Sheldon. Looks like everything is there.
    Surface rust, but look like it will clean up.
    Took pictures after I took off some parts.
    Attachment 205345
    Very nice gift, Sheldons are good machines. I've restored several lathes, shapers, mills and other machine tools. You will get much enjoyment from that.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
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    I too enjoy restoring old machinery. That does look like a fine old lathe. Have fun!

  4. #4
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    Treetop's Avatar
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    Worlds of information on Sheldon lathes and a very friendly forum to boot, here:

    http://www.hobby-machinist.com/forum...don-lathes.93/

    Treetop
    "Treetop"
    Sgt. USMC
    1968-71

    "Accuracy has a suppressive power all by itself."
    Lt. Gen. George Flynn, USMC

    “The Second Amendment was not written to protect your right to shoot deer.
    It was written to protect your right to shoot tyrants…”
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  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Treetop View Post
    Worlds of information on Sheldon lathes and a very friendly forum to boot, here:

    http://www.hobby-machinist.com/forum...don-lathes.93/

    Treetop
    That's me under the Sheldon section.
    Good people there. Kind of like here.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Got the last of the lathe loaded in the truck.
    Need to make a dolly so I can move it around.
    I guess now the hard work to start. Cleaning, seeing what might be broken, then painting and assembly.
    Motor looks to be a 220v 3ph. Going to change to a 220v 1ph or 110v.
    Whatever I can find cheap.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master Hannibal's Avatar
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    Why not just use a VFD? They can be had pretty cheap now days.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    GOPHER SLAYER's Avatar
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    Did you get the tail stock with the lathe? The Sheldon was often called the gunsmith lathe.
    A GUN THAT'S COCKED AND UNLOADED AIN'T GOOD FOR NUTHIN'........... ROOSTER COGBURN

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master

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    There are phase converters also that make the third leg for 3 phase motors. Dad just bought a 5 hp single phase 220 volt motor for his air compressor and it was around $600.00. A 1 hp single phase 110 volt depending on the frame you need will probably be in the $150 range.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master Moleman-'s Avatar
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    I have a 12x36 Sheldon and joined the Sheldon Yahoo site shortly after getting it. John Knox as others have stated is a wealth of knowledge for your lathe. My lathe was made in 1953 and the guy I got it from was keeping a Lodge and Shipley and an older Sheldon that looked just like yours only black. Mine didn't come with a motor so I put a single phase 110V-1hp/220V-2hp motor on it and wired it up for 110v. So far the 1hp has done everything I've wanted it to. I got mine cheap as someone had locked the back gears and attempted to remove the stuck chuck breaking teeth off of the bull gear and one back gear. The missing teeth area was filled in with braze and I recut the teeth.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by GOPHER SLAYER View Post
    Did you get the tail stock with the lathe? The Sheldon was often called the gunsmith lathe.
    Tail stock taken off be fore I took the pictures.
    I always forget to take pictures before starting projects.
    It's all there. No accessories though.

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Moleman- View Post
    I have a 12x36 Sheldon and joined the Sheldon Yahoo site shortly after getting it. John Knox as others have stated is a wealth of knowledge for your lathe. My lathe was made in 1953 and the guy I got it from was keeping a Lodge and Shipley and an older Sheldon that looked just like yours only black. Mine didn't come with a motor so I put a single phase 110V-1hp/220V-2hp motor on it and wired it up for 110v. So far the 1hp has done everything I've wanted it to. I got mine cheap as someone had locked the back gears and attempted to remove the stuck chuck breaking teeth off of the bull gear and one back gear. The missing teeth area was filled in with braze and I recut the teeth.
    I did join that group.
    Don't like the format of yahoo groups.
    I did post, but got nothing back.
    Hobby Machinist is much better.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Moleman- View Post
    I have a 12x36 Sheldon and joined the Sheldon Yahoo site shortly after getting it. John Knox as others have stated is a wealth of knowledge for your lathe. My lathe was made in 1953 and the guy I got it from was keeping a Lodge and Shipley and an older Sheldon that looked just like yours only black. Mine didn't come with a motor so I put a single phase 110V-1hp/220V-2hp motor on it and wired it up for 110v. So far the 1hp has done everything I've wanted it to. I got mine cheap as someone had locked the back gears and attempted to remove the stuck chuck breaking teeth off of the bull gear and one back gear. The missing teeth area was filled in with braze and I recut the teeth.
    The chuck is stuck on this one.
    I found a trick on Youtube that the guy used a cut fan belt, a big hex socket, a breaker bar, and a wood bed protector.
    I'll see if I can find it an post the link.

  14. #14
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    Buddy has a couple of Sheldon lathes. I helped him move one they are HEAVY! Well made machines though.
    Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? 9mm, 10mm/40S&W, 45 ACP pistol barrel that won't "plunk" your handloads? 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh cylinder that needs the "step" reamed to 6° 30min chamfer? Click here to send me a PM You can also find me on Facebook Click Here.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Here's the link for removing the chuck.
    I put a large allan socket in the chuck with a breaker bar.
    Works better that using the legs.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JinDdyozxaY

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    I prefer south-bends because I have 3 now and parts are plentiful. but if I had a good working Sheldon lathe I would be just as happy. you did good.

    I hope you get that old American iron running.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master Drm50's Avatar
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    I have a old South Bend, belt driven. It ain't to fancy but it's in nice shape and I have gathered up
    lots of good accessories for it. Price was right OSHA wouldnt allow in to be used in a Hi School shop.
    The school had gotten a load of government surplus on some kind of program. I got it for $1 a
    legal sale. This was in 70s, when we started loosing industries here there was a lot of good tooling
    floating around cheap.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master Moleman-'s Avatar
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    Yeah, the guy in the video didn't really have a stuck chuck. When I took my Buck true-adjust chuck off my back plate there were deep gouges from a big pipe wrench which I'm guessing is what broke off the teeth. You can put a 2x2 through the chuck so one jaw is on top and two are on the other side for a lever if need be. For whatever reason it seems the #1 thing that keeps coming up on the Sheldon site for new guys is broken back gear teeth from attempting to remove a stuck chuck. Gear repair was easy enough though.

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Lathe is all apart right now.
    Had to cut the two drive belts so I could take the main off.
    This one has bronze bushings instead of bearings.
    Belts needed to be changed anyway.
    Need to clean it up to see if anything damaged, but from what I see so far, everything looks good.
    I'm looking for something that would show me how the "U" drive works.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    I have fixed more then one s-b lathe with broke back gear teeth.

    best way to remove a stuck chuck it to make a clamp block with a long handle that clamps to the back part of the spindle then you can use a long bar in the chuck. that way you are not putting strain on the gears.
    Last edited by bob208; 10-29-2017 at 04:07 PM.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
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HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
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LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check