14" gear head lathe

Price of a 14" .vs. price to have someone (else) with the time and skills tune up the 16" you already have. Worth checking it out, anyway.

...you can use your accessories.

...it's a bigger lathe.

As for the drive, get a VFD.

Call Howard at Skulsky Machinery in Gardena California.

Tell him Gunner referred you and tell him your needs.

Im sure he can fix you up with decent iron for less money and better quality than an import

Id strongly suggest contacting snipped-for-privacy@aol.com as well, but Im not sure if he has a 14" at the moment. He may have a Harrison....hummm

He is located in Costa Mesa, California

How large a through hole do you need?

Whats wrong with the big Victor?

Gunner, Taft/Bakersfield/So. Cal Rule #35 "That which does not kill you, has made a huge tactical error"

Gunner: I would like to have a 2" spindle bore, but all of the 14" that I've scanned so far seem to be closer to 1.5" The Victor needs the head bearings changed and work done on the carriage controls. It doesn't have a taper attachment, but I get a taper every time I cut something. Thanks for the contact information

Ecnerwal: Thanks for the response. What is a VFD? Also I have looked about for someone to do the tune up on the Victor and haven't had much luck. Any suggestions?

A variable frequency drive - a "static phase converter" (so long as you get one that does 1 phase in and 3 phase out) that also does speed control (and soft-start and braking, if set up correctly). If the

3-phase motor you have works, a VFD is probably a better option than replacing the motor with a single-phase motor.

Gunner, being more in your locale, has provided some suggestions on that.

Jet is offering a 14" x 40" gearhead lathe with 3-1/4" spindle bore that is a really great machine. Taper attachment and/or DRO are extra over the $10,000. sale price but this lathe is really a beast and capable of using the big spindle hole w/o a whimper. If you have a strong interest, which you should, Email me off RCM. Leigh at MarMachine

According to Ecnerwal :

But beware that what is usually sold as a "static phase converter" is a circuit to switch a starting capacitor in series with the third phase just to get the motor spinning, and then switch it out. As a result, you can't draw full motor power for very long from the motor, as the two remaining phases will require too much current, and will overheat compared to one fed from the proper three phases.

However -- a VFD does synthesize the full three phase full time, so it is a very nice choice.

Good Luck, DoN.

Btw..I am a machine tool mechanic by trade.

But..tweaking up that 16" Victor, all the way out in Inyokern/Ridgecrest..may cost more than its worth. It may..may be cheaper to get another lathe, unless you do all the work yourself, which really isnt all that hard with that particular lathe, if you have the time.

You need to find out whats causing the taper. If you are getting one, and are NOT turning between centers...it may require more than a simple tune and tweak. Bed wear if any serious amount requires a regrind and turciting of the ways.

Is it fatter closer to the headstock, or vise versa? Call me and Ill help you out.

Btw..I called Howard at Skulskys today..he has a 18x40 with a 3 1/4" spindle bore $6k your cost . 1800 rpm max. Leigh at MarMachine ( snipped-for-privacy@aol.com) has something too, but I forget what.

Gunner, Coyote Engineering OmniTurn CNC lathe specialist Manual machine repair and setup Plant and facilities maintainance 805-732-5308, cell, anytime.

Rule #35 "That which does not kill you, has made a huge tactical error"