Colchester lathe RIP
 

At 3:45 today the 1957 3 phase motor on my 1963 Colchester student expired in a big cloud of blue smoke, so if you are expecting some of the following from me wishbones , steering rack extensions, polybushes , column bushes or mushrooms you might want to add another week to the delivery time.

Rip motor, lovely lathes if a little old. Would love one but too much money for my liking.

Send it back it might still be under warranty Phil:p :rolleyes:

Bob

Send it to your local rewinder and it will come back all happy.

TT

When I was looking for a lathe I had £400-500 to spend if you look at new machines for that kind of money you only get cheap hobby type toys. I only gave £375 for my Student and apart from a cross side nut and needing 4 teeth welding back on the power feeds it'll do every thing from crush tubes to transit rear brake drums. Next on the shopping list might be a small capstan if I don't go under first that is.
I did ask about rewinding at the local place this afternoon and it went like this
'I've a got a 3 phase twin speed bah bah bah'
'oh yes we do those all the time if it's the windings thats burnt out then your looking at £470 plus the VAT....'
'I'm sorry I thought you said .........'
Ebay has a single speed 3hp 3phase for £130 plus the delivery.

We have its bigger brother here, its known here as the african queen < sorry kids you will have to look it up> Could not be without it. Probably the same age as yours. its big enough to cut and weld props in and with the gap out turn lorry flywheels.Be sad when it F@@ks up,

Its up the river we go Charlie:) :)



Bob

When I left the company that I served my time at back in 1999 I left behind my belove Elliott concord complete with a 4'6" chuch and a 42' bed, my baby loved that machine

Arfon

There was a lathe at an army auction a few years ago that was as big as that and it had a chair/seat attached to the tool post:eek: :eek: Start bid was 500 and no one bid on it, I would hate to think what that thing cost new . Still its only tax payers dosh :mad: :eek:

Bob

Phill. if you only use 1 speed then get a single speed motor, 2pole 3ph = 3000rpm 4 pole 3ph = 1500 rpm, not too many options if you use both speeds.

Mine didnt have a seat on the saddle, but it did have two saddles

Arfon