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Graham-White 8mm lathe

Razz
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Razz WRT Addict

Razz

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About a fortnight ago I got bitten by the watchmakers lathe bug. Now I am slowly adding accessories as needed. Watched a lot of videos, read every post in this section and picked up de Carle's 6th edition of "The watchmakers and model engineers lathe: A user's manual". Even though the Graham - White is not listed it is similar to WW models made by Leinen and others. Is an 8mm with an American style bed that is 303 mm or about 12 inches long, 50mm center height. Came with the 110 volt 1 Amp AC/DC motor (I think that is about a 1/6 HP) with variable speed swirch mounted on a borel stand. I van see why some might not like the stand but it makes it compact that I can pick it up and move off my bench for storage when not in use.

It was pretty dirty with quite a bit of surface rust which I was mostly able to arrest and still will likely do more cleaning with WD40 to get the last bits. Not pitting into the metal but really spotting where the nickel plating is gone. Really can see that on the tool rest which using a sanding stick cleaned up nicely.

Getting the headstock disassembled was a bit challenging as the set screw head was stripped and used an ez out style bit to get it out. Got a replacement from my machinist brother, but actually now that it is out and cleaned up an Allen wrench is working to tighten and loosen the screw. 

Came only with a 24 starlett 8mm collet in the headstock and the vigor chuck in the tailstock.

The replacement belt was pretty easy - 3mm dryer transmission belt. 16 feet for $6.50! Looking around online (ebay) people have like 10 feet for $20, the only difference seems to be it is called watchmakers lathe belt!

One question on the oiling is 3 in 1 okay for the cone bearings and how many hours between adding oil to the bearings? My brother says the 3 in 1 is probably ok...

Thanks for reading this far and now for the pics! Any advice is welcome!20240128_1034142.thumb.jpg.f4896f6df7ad2fdf00e5b8060ec56365.jpg20240128_1034302.thumb.jpg.2b9c2e082d634795d2ec36c76ae5c133.jpg20240128_1035212.thumb.jpg.d1fde06de2daa0be9caee3daee2648aa.jpg20240128_1034582.thumb.jpg.15c4329b261e392d223c280b080df121.jpg20240126_1043232.thumb.jpg.9c631345cc6c6be8dfebd79705aa62fa.jpg20240128_1035332.thumb.jpg.f6f8f390b4384482bf245f16221c1316.jpg20240122_1907312.thumb.jpg.62a7b5c8ef408542b1ab5f263082831b.jpg

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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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35 minutes ago, Razz said:

About a fortnight ago I got bitten by the watchmakers lathe bug. Now I am slowly adding accessories as needed. Watched a lot of videos, read every post in this section and picked up de Carle's 6th edition of "The watchmakers and model engineers lathe: A user's manual". Even though the Graham - White is not listed it is similar to WW models made by Leinen and others. Is an 8mm with an American style bed that is 303 mm or about 12 inches long, 50mm center height. Came with the 110 volt 1 Amp AC/DC motor (I think that is about a 1/6 HP) with variable speed swirch mounted on a borel stand. I van see why some might not like the stand but it makes it compact that I can pick it up and move off my bench for storage when not in use.

It was pretty dirty with quite a bit of surface rust which I was mostly able to arrest and still will likely do more cleaning with WD40 to get the last bits. Not pitting into the metal but really spotting where the nickel plating is gone. Really can see that on the tool rest which using a sanding stick cleaned up nicely.

Getting the headstock disassembled was a bit challenging as the set screw head was stripped and used an ez out style bit to get it out. Got a replacement from my machinist brother, but actually now that it is out and cleaned up an Allen wrench is working to tighten and loosen the screw. 

Came only with a 24 starlett 8mm collet in the headstock and the vigor chuck in the tailstock.

The replacement belt was pretty easy - 3mm dryer transmission belt. 16 feet for $6.50! Looking around online (ebay) people have like 10 feet for $20, the only difference seems to be it is called watchmakers lathe belt!

One question on the oiling is 3 in 1 okay for the cone bearings and how many hours between adding oil to the bearings? My brother says the 3 in 1 is probably ok...

Thanks for reading this far and now for the pics! Any advice is welcome!20240128_1034142.thumb.jpg.f4896f6df7ad2fdf00e5b8060ec56365.jpg20240128_1034302.thumb.jpg.2b9c2e082d634795d2ec36c76ae5c133.jpg20240128_1035212.thumb.jpg.d1fde06de2daa0be9caee3daee2648aa.jpg20240128_1034582.thumb.jpg.15c4329b261e392d223c280b080df121.jpg20240126_1043232.thumb.jpg.9c631345cc6c6be8dfebd79705aa62fa.jpg20240128_1035332.thumb.jpg.f6f8f390b4384482bf245f16221c1316.jpg20240122_1907312.thumb.jpg.62a7b5c8ef408542b1ab5f263082831b.jpg

I would top up the oil each time you use it, turn or run the headstock so the oil is pulled into the bearings. Dont use 3 in 1 oil , bike chain yes , precision bearings no. 

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