New Project Atlas Bearing Replacement

Dave Baker wrote:

Dave I'm ashamed to say that I enjoy discussing these types of problem as much as actually getting my hands dirty. I also find that I can learn a great deal and when I am eventually moved to get off my rear end and attack the metal it usually goes smoother if I have a good idea of what and why I'm doing it that way. Unfortunately with the design of the spindle (much like an ML7) I cannot get a solid ring to the front bearing location unless it is bigger than the 1.5". I like your idea of building up with chrome and re-grinding back to nominal. Obviously if I could use half shells then I don't have that problem and could go down a size. It's a long time since I ventured into the "innards" of an engine (rebuilding my Lotus Europa 20 years ago I think) but if the shells were similar thickness to the camshaft bearings then they could easily be accommodated within the thickness of the present Babbitt. The other advantage I see in half shells is that as you have said I could adjust for the last few tenths by cleaning up the ends. As an aside although I still play with kit cars, modern engines (Ford Zetec etc) are so reliable and cheap that it is much easier and cheaper to replace than rebuild. Of course this is only possible when any engine will do, for the car restorers and racers out there they still need to struggle to find or develop the old skills which seem to be rapidly disappearing. The one other concern I have is that these modern bearings perform with pressure lubrication although I guess the 1200 or so rpm with flood lubrication would not stress them too much.

That's one of the most impressive things about this forum, everyone seems happy to help and advise where they can and I'm sure that I have progressed more in the last year or so since I found it than in the previous 10 years. With the advice available I have finally settled on the lathes that I NEED and have started to enjoy using them rather than worrying about how accurate/new they are. I find the search facility invaluable and have spent hours reading many helpful posts. I have also learnt to "filter" out some of the less useful posts and had a good laugh at some of the others. My ability to spot a troll (not here of course) is also improving slowly. I'm also surprised by just how many people ask a question (presumably because they don't know the answer) and then spend two weeks arguing with the advice given - there is no accounting for folk.

Anyway Dave, I hope that you and the others who have the knowledge/experience will continue to answer the daft questions and ideas that the less knowledgeable of us pose (many times unfortunately). It is very much appreciated and I'm sure will guide many into this very enjoyable way to spend time (and money). I'm pleased to say that (I think this was said before somewhere) I'll definitely be back, just as soon as the next project takes me outside of my experience zone (tomorrow then). Thanks again.

Best regards

Keith

In that case I'd go back to the sleeve idea and sleeve up to a convenient size of camshaft bearing bush or bronze bush. Cheaper than chroming and regrinding I would think. Loctite, heat shrink or solder/braze the sleeve in position, grind it true with a bench grinder mounted on another lathe and then melt all the old babbitt out and make the bush. Some of that 50/60mm alloy steel bar that Peter Neill is chucking out today would do you nicely for a sleeve then you can make your bush out of anything you like.

I'd rather spend a few hours boring, turning and grinding fix-on bits than trying to learn how to re-babbitt a headstock and end up in a bugger's muddle. If my soldering is anything to go by I'm quite sure it would be well beyond me. I reckon I could do the sleeve and bush trick though.

Hi I also have a Atlas 10" Lathe with a Spare Headstock assembly I don't really need. I Dont know how old your message is as I'm looking for the Mitre gears in the carraige shaft selector, could you help there. Regards Mal

Mike Kurn lists these in the catalogue I had from him about five years ago.

Russell.

Mal Hi Sorry but I don't have any spare Mitre gears only have the set in the Atlas that I'm not sure that I want to break yet. I'm not really sure if you meant that you have a spare headstock you don't need or if it's the whole Atlas you don't want. If it is just the headstock and you are prepared to part with it let me know how much you want and what type it is. On the other hand if you want to collect another load of parts let me know how many "beer tokens" you think they are worth but remember the lathe is complete but well worn. The other issue is that I think we are at different sides of the country although I get accross as far as junction 13 on the M4 regularly taking my daughter to/from Oxford so we might be able to arrange something. Anyway if you can give me an idea of what you might like to do maybe we can sort something out.

Regards

Keith

Hi. Keith. =

Yes my message was'nt very clear. Yes I have a Spare Headstock I picked up in my travels,It has Taper roller bearings, an= d looks in fair condition.I think its worth about =C2=A345.00 which should save a lot= of Angnst. And singing silly songs. It should at least cut through all the buggering about with bearing material, etc.. If you contact me via email at > snipped-for-privacy@aol.com< I will reply with a couple of pict= ures. I have sourced a mitre gear for the carriage shaft. =

All I really need is a top slide assembly as my machine was a capstan lathe. The machine is a Atlas 10" swing lathe. Oh yes what the Donald Duck is a Babbit?? Regards Mal.

Oh Yes I forgot I am in Hastings,East Sussex. Mal