Lathe Restoration

This is my first lathe, it is fully operational, no play, the bed is in very good condition. The lathe is almost 70 years old, so it already looked very bad, the previous owner took care of the machine so I did not have to replace the bearings, or correct the geometry of the machine components.

[johnytjt]

Just so everyone knows, he didn't record this just so that he could share it with us, but to remember where everything went. Amazing job.

[ralphmadera]

As an observer of old technology, being a 60 years old and grew up next constantly to my father who is a truck, car and industrial mechanic, I have a deep appreciation for this machines and the people that are still trying to preserve them. I see those lathes and mills on YouTube and trust me, the smell of the machine shop were my father use to work I still can feel it.

[jamespayne]

You never really know your machines until you’ve torn them down and put them back together. It’s a real bonus if they still work when you’re finished.

[cheftomsd]

Impressive. No doubt you cannot find a lathe this well made anymore. Blown away by your ability to remember how this complex machine goes back together.

[michaelstine]

The white paint was a bold choice. If I ever redo a lathe I'm painting it grease colored.

[joshschneider]

There's a video Colchester made detailing its factory operations here on youtube. Saving a Colchester is special beyond just saving an old machine tool. That was a very special factory with some very special and extremely skilled workers. Your restoration is a real show of respect to them, and I can't praise it enough or you for doing it. Well done indeed.

[riffhammeron]

Just gives you so much respect for the people who designed these things.

[chocksaway]

OK, this takes me back back to the 1970 s. I worked as a machine tool restorer in England, my boss would buy up machine tools such as Herbert lathes, Capstan lathes, Cinninati milling machines, presses, folding machines, from British Leyland and associated businesses I would prep them for resale a d they sold readily I did this for 2 years and it was enjoyable work for an 18 year old, the company I worked for was called Norman Machinery who at the time were located in Woodchester Gloucester, England.

[MrSaemichlaus]

I feel like this is how I would like to come to own a machine. Restoring it really makes you think what everything does and you see all the parts in front of you. Then you make it as beautiful as it has ever been and go on to use it with pride, and equipped with intimate knowledge of its features and functions.

[stevesthemanmechanicsgarag]

That used to be my Lathe, it was a great tool, only 1/2 thou out, screw cutting, there was a three jaw and a four jaw Chuck with it. I operated it from 1978-2012. Trevor

[TheBallznweenerz]

I spent 2 years of my machinist apprenticeship working on the slightly bigger brother of this exact machine. Solid and straight as an arrow. Thanks for sharing!

[dfishpool]

Congratulationa on your 'restoration' of the Colchester. As an engineering apprentice in the early 1960s I worked on one of these - always a pleasure - a lovely well designed machine. I have a 1960s Harrison L5A in my workshop at home - an ex school machine but I think that before it went into the school it had been used commercially. I've done quite a bit of work on it and have acquired 'new' second hand parts and had the 3 HP three phase motor bearings replaced and serviced. I have thought about repainting it but shied away from the job but seeing how you tackled your lathe I might now pluck up the courage to do mine! Thank you for the video.

[hoperp]

My very first job in 1969 was Foundry Technician. Foundry casting the lathe beds for all the Colchester Lathes. Excellent to see this and all the work to get it back to peak condition. Well done.

[eaglekeeper]

In this day and age it's nice to see something get refurbished rather than thrown away.

[thefixerofbrokenstuff]

Be careful with all those levers, time travel is tricky business.

[williamstearns]

There’s just something wonderful about old gear being restored. Like watching an old stray at the vet and groomer before they jump into bed at their forever home.

[awardfoto]

Well done.
One have to respect the British to put together a quality machine like this. The Colchester Student also qualified alot of freshmen. "The world turns on a Colchester"

[AERDNA]

I'm italian, so forgive my english.I worked in a company that overhauled machine tools. If you do not grind the guides, make the coupling of them, redo the bushings and nuts and do not change the bearings, you cannot say that you have done a restoration.

[Reman]

Off white? That's a brave choice on a machine that's going to be spending it's life actually being used. It's hard enough trying to keep dark blue overalls looking presentable for more than 30 minutes when I'm busy in the workshop. :D

[АлексейПотеряев-щп]

20 минут ждал когда-же будет реставрация! Увидел лишь техническое обслуживание!