Jump to content

Levin did it right...

LittleWatchShop
 Share

Recommended Posts

LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted

As far as I can see, Levin is the only maker of the vintage watchmaker lathe that got it right...making the tailstock to hold a collet was, IMHO, brilliant.  I don't own one, but I wish I did.  They do not come cheap.

Tell me I am just wrong.

LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
  • Author
Posted
34 minutes ago, madchops67 said:

One of my Peerless 8mm lathes came with the tailstock accepting 8mm collets for drilling. It's really great to have

Peerless!  Please post a picture...would love to see it.

madchops67 Watch Enthusiast

madchops67

Posted
Posted

Doesn't have the sensitive lever or micrometer depth knob like the higher end lathes (how I wish it did) but this is sufficient for a job that needs drilling.

20220304_214909.jpg

20220304_214914.jpg

20220304_214934.jpg

  • Like 1
nickelsilver Distinguished Member

nickelsilver

Posted
Posted

Pretty much all the lathe makers offered collet holding tailstocks. And there were a bunch- Levin, Derbyshire, Marshall/Peerless in the U.S. (there were others, but they were the big ones), Boley-Leinen, G. Boley, Lorch, Wolf-Jahn in Germany, Pultra in England, Favorite and Star in Switzerland, easily a dozen more.

 

But yes, having the ability to hold the same collets in the tailstock as the headstock is a very, very, nice feature.

  • Like 1
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
  • Author
Posted
7 hours ago, nickelsilver said:

Pretty much all the lathe makers offered collet holding tailstocks

Makes sense...but did anybody buy them?  I watch ebay every day (literally!) looking at watch stuff.  I have a saved search for watchmaker lathes.  I have never seen any except Levin.  Maybe that feature was not popular, or those that own them are not willing to sell them.  A Levin lathe went for $1500 the other day but I did not win it.  It was nice.

I have a a tapered collet holder that is good but not great because it does not achieve perfect registration with the headstock.  I don't know if the issue is the tapered collet, or the tailstock runner.  All matching serial numbers.

  • 1 year later...
Lukebgb Member

Lukebgb

Posted
Posted
On 3/5/2022 at 10:19 AM, LittleWatchShop said:

Makes sense...but did anybody buy them?  I watch ebay every day (literally!) looking at watch stuff.  I have a saved search for watchmaker lathes.  I have never seen any except Levin.  Maybe that feature was not popular, or those that own them are not willing to sell them.  A Levin lathe went for $1500 the other day but I did not win it.  It was nice.

I have a a tapered collet holder that is good but not great because it does not achieve perfect registration with the headstock.  I don't know if the issue is the tapered collet, or the tailstock runner.  All matching serial numbers.

Just keep watching. I lucked out today and scored one off craigslist an hour away from me. Complete lathe (head, tail, bed, and motor. Came with a good selection of collets, and a stand. I'm stoked. I need grabbers but I can get those a piece at a time. I'll use a file until then. Lol

  • Like 1
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
  • Author
Posted
9 hours ago, Lukebgb said:

Just keep watching. I lucked out today and scored one off craigslist an hour away from me. Complete lathe (head, tail, bed, and motor. Came with a good selection of collets, and a stand. I'm stoked. I need grabbers but I can get those a piece at a time. I'll use a file until then. Lol

Since that post, I acquired a Levin with a cross slide and four-jaw chuck on FB marketplace for $350. It was truly a deal. The only downside was that the cross slide is English rather than metric. A minor disturbance.

I have nearly a complete set. That is where the real money went!! I bought lots resulting in duplicates.

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Simeon
      Oiling Dubois Depraz chrono module pivots (Omega Speedmaster Reduced)

      By Simeon · Posted

      Righty ho, I re-serviced the chrono module and got a reasonable result with minimal loss of amplitude when not running the chrono and about 30 degrees loss when running. Great. The problem is now that the chrono (and movement) stops running after about a minute or so, a tap on the watch starts it running again. No issues with the movement running when the chrono is stopped. Going to service it yet again, obviously some residual issues with friction in the chrono module (Very frustrating - I wish there was some way of testing it as I go!) I also seem to have a problem with the cannon pinion where the movement is running continuously (with the chrono stopped) but it's losing significant time / stopping. This is one of those two piece ETA style with a driving wheel pressed over the cannon pinion, obviously arranged for driving the chrono module. I had no issues with this prior to service and just added a small amount of grease between the driving wheel and the centre cannon pinion as the technical guide required. What's the best way of tightening these up? I would like to replace it but I guess this is going to be hard to find as it is dedicated to the DD chrono movement. 
    • caseback
      Chinese tools debate

      By caseback · Posted

      He uses the micrometer cap, but he leaves the spring out (you can see that in the video). If you leave the spring in, the spindle will move up as well (as shown by @Knebo).
    • Malocchio
      Chinese tools debate

      By Malocchio · Posted

      Seems like he doesn't have the micrometer cap  attached to the spindle so he can only push down but cannot pull up? If the cap screws into the spindle I guess you don't need the spring? I only have a "normal" Seitz so I really have no idea. 
    • Edwinsh21
      Christopher Ward SH21 Winding Rotor Bearing replacement

      By Edwinsh21 · Posted

      Do you have a part number for the bearing shim lock tool?
    • Dell
      Lathe motor advice

      By Dell · Posted

      Yes in my opinion the 3/4HP is plenty but it’s your decision & yes it does come with speed control but foot operation so my reason for changing to potentiometer was because my leg shakes so it was like me revving the lathe & anyway I prefer to set the speed. I & a few others that I recommended the motor to run a Pultra 10mm lathe so if you have a 6 or 8mm B & L then it will be plenty, if you have seen any of my videos you will have seen that when using a graver I run quite slow without any problems. Dell
×
×
  • Create New...