Elgin Hardinge Lathe

MilGunsmith · Apr 11, 2014

Our Antique Machine club aquirred an Elgin Hardinge chucker lathe, ser# 59-2280. It is complete with 5C collets. The original plan was to set it up to be a working display, teaching tool. The first problem is that we only have 110v 1ph and 208v 1ph, and the machine is 220v 3ph. The other is that it is a chucker, 2nd op lathe and we cant cut threads. The dials on the crossslide and compound are only about 5/8" dia. I havent measured yet.
The thought at the meeting last night was to sell it, or trade for something more suitable to what we do. The only other good lathe we have is a South Bend 9A with 3.5' bed. We also have an old 14" lineshaft driven lathe that is clapped out. We run that just to show how a lineshaft works.
Any thoughts on this? What kind of value or interest is there in a chucker?

L Vanice · Apr 11, 2014

There is enough interest to ask you to post pictures so we can see what you have.

Larry

stephen thomas · Apr 11, 2014

Is it really a "chucker" version?

Or is it a second op with a tailstock or could be fitted with a TS?

If it is a "chucker" it has an integral power fed turret, and they make a wonderful and engaging demonstration tool. If it is a Hardinge style chucker, it will also have the option for threading barrels and chase threading attachment, which again, is a very fascinating thing to watch and very fast to demonstrate.

If it is a second op, then a hand turret was an optional accessory, and maybe you should concentrate on finding one. Though the cost to effectively tool up a turret for other than center pop and drilling can start to add up, they are far more fascinating for most people to watch, and perhaps "run themselves" than "watching the corn grow" as an engine lathe meanders down a cut. (in a lay person's eyes).

You can tool the turret so a visitor can make a part, say a lamp finial, complete with threaded end, in under a minute, as an example. Or a ball end, etc. I think the Ford museum has one set up in the Greenfield village for tourists to operate.

smt

Greg Menke · Apr 11, 2014

Keep it and use it! At Tuckahoe we have a dozen or so machines old enough to have plain oiling holes- all of them need some kind of plug. We don't have a turret lathe which would be perfect to crank out loads of them with- perhaps some stamped with a "T" we could also sell at our shows. At some point I'm going to set up on my little Wade turret lathe to make a bunch- have to work out the parting and knurl tooling for that...

MilGunsmith · Apr 11, 2014

I will try to get pictures this week. There is no turret, just a tailstock and basic crosslide and compound. We use the lathes to make parts for our tractors and hit & miss engines, and to teach basic machining skills . http://www.njaemc.org/default.htm

jim rozen · Apr 12, 2014

Given the serial number and description this sounds like a split bed lathe set up
for turning - no turret.

It has a 3 phase motor that is two-speed and is 3/8 or 3/4 hp depending on the speed
range. You can trivally set this machine up to run on a 120 volt single phase power source
(15 amp 120 volt receptacle) by putting an inexpensive variable frequency drive on it.

Set the motor fixed on the high range and set the belts underneath the headstock to
a middle setting, and use the VFD speed control to provide variable spindle speed.

You can thread work in the lathe using a die head or hand dies. It's an excellent
lathe to learn on.

L Vanice · Apr 12, 2014

MilGunsmith said:
...There is no turret, just a tailstock and basic crosslide and compound....

Chuckers do not have tailstocks. Sounds like a common circa 1940-45 Elgin 5C collet 9" swing lathe. If not worn out, they are wonderful for work within their envelope.

Larry

swatkins · Apr 12, 2014

Are you planning on acquiring more machines that might be powered by 3 phase power?

If the answer is yes then a 10 HP rotary phase converter would be a very handy addition to your shop. A used 10 HP motor and a ready made control box would run about 300-350 and allow you to run many machines.

If you are only going to have one machine then Jim Rozen's suggestion of a VFD would be the way to go.. Either way is an relatively inexpensive solution to the machine needing 3 phase.

MilGunsmith · Apr 14, 2014

Not planning on getting any more 3ph. We do a lot of odd nuts and bolts, did some 1/2-12 last summer and shaft work.

stephen thomas · Apr 14, 2014

Not planning on getting any more 3ph.

That is very short sighted if you are planning to acquire any more quality machine tools.
Fist cost is lower, some may come up that are not available single phase, and in many cases (lathes, surface grinders) the nature of the power delivery is more conducive to superior work (no telegraphing on he grinder, less phonographing on the lathe when going for fine finishes).

A simple surplus (scrap) 1100 or 1800 rpm 5HP 3ph motor setting in a corner with a pull start rope is all the expense needed for a convertor that will run any other machine tool up to 5HP as long as the starting load of the machine is small (5 HP will start a 5HP mill, lathe, surface grinder spindle, belt drive planer, shaper with a clutch, etc. It will not start a 5HP compressor)

Not only that, but the starters and wiring are cheaper for 3ph due to being a smaller size, for the same HP as single ph. If you feed the "convertor" into a 3ph panel box you can probably find one of those free or cheap at a scrap yard, too. If not, that is about the only cost that would be slightly higher than a single ph distribution center.

smt

sandiapaul · Apr 14, 2014

I have a nice 5HP motor I'd let go for cheap and I'm no too far from you...its a nice old motor.

Paul

MilGunsmith · Apr 14, 2014

Right now the South Bend 9A and a drill press are the only machines not run off the line shaft. We are a museam that runs maybe 15 days a year total.

MilGunsmith · Jul 15, 2016

The decision has been made to sell this lathe. Is there any interest in it?

jim rozen · Jul 16, 2016

Post photos in the for=sale section. Include your price.

MilGunsmith · Jul 16, 2016

What sort of price should we ask? Money would be a donation to the club.

dkmc · Jul 16, 2016

stephen thomas said:
If it is a "chucker" it has an integral power fed turret
smt

FYI
Early chuckers only had power feed on the carriage and not on the
cross slide. I know someone (not me) that got caught thinking his machine
had power feed on both, but it was an early one and did not.

MilGunsmith said:
What sort of price should we ask? Money would be a donation to the club.

Who knows what it really is or the condition??
Your not going to get much if any response until we see a number of detailed, up close pics of your mystery machine.

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