New to me axelson

[Reaperbond]

Good day all. As the thread title suggests, I found an axelson for sale locally and decided to snatch it before anyone else could! It's a 20"x48 with a 20hp motor... more on that later.

As is evidenced in the picture, it is missing a few components. Namely the compound slide and parts of the tailstock. Certainly not ideal but i can live with that (for now). The plan for the machine will be as follows: I have a spot for it but currently no 3 phase there, I plan to run 3 phase out there at some point but that hasn't happened quite yet... basically I'm going to be taking my time to clean this old girl up and preserve her. On a positive note, if the dial indicator is to be believed, the ways are in what appears to be very good shape. Which leads me to the not so good. As I mentioned above concerning the missing components, in addition the rack gear that the cradle moves on is quite worn in spots. I'm sure further inspection will yield more squawks which I expect to find.

Everything I've read about the stoutness of the old American lathes (l&s, monarch etc. And of course axelson) I attest to be absolutely true. Even though I was forewarned how substantial this machine would be, I was still shocked when I pulled in and saw it, absolutely massive.

Concerning that motor, maybe someone else can chime in but in my limited research, I can't say that I've seen a 20hp motor on an axelson this size, that, coupled with the difference in color between the motor and lathe, leads me to wonder if this isn't the original motor?

Anyways, that's enough for tonight. More to come (if I get time).

 

[Rob F.]

Congrats on the axleson score!

 

[texasgeartrain]

Operation and service manual submitted to VM by our own 4GSR:

Axelson Manufacturing Co. - Publication Reprints - Axelson Heavy Duty Engine Lathes Operation and Service Manual | VintageMachinery.org

The pdf:

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/2137/3557.pdf

This brochure says 10 to 15hp for the motor:

Axelson Manufacturing Co. - Publication Reprints - Axelson 20" Model W Specification Brochure - Bulletin 5002 | VintageMachinery.org

The pdf:

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/2137/3887.pdf

Other pub reprints on VM:

Axelson Manufacturing Co. - Publication Reprints | VintageMachinery.org

 

[Garwood]

Is that the one that's been on marketplace and craigslist in California for $1000 for years?

It looks like it's missing all the tailstock guts.

These are excellent machines. Hope yours is salvageable.

 

[johnoder]

Early fifties on the serial

 

[marka12161]

Check the max spindle speed. In the early 50s, carbide was coming into regular use and the spindle speeds and HP increased accordingly to take full advantage of carbide tooling. For instance, my 1941 Monarch 16CY (18 1/2" swing over ways) has a max spindle speed of around 750 RPM and a 7 1/2 HP motor. Clearly designed primarily for use with HSS tooling. A 60 series monarch with similar swing designed to exploit carbide tooling might have max spindle speed in the 1200-1500 RPM range and a 15-20 HP motor.

 

[Garwood]

Check the max spindle speed. In the early 50s, carbide was coming into regular use and the spindle speeds and HP increased accordingly to take full advantage of carbide tooling. For instance, my 1941 Monarch 16CY (18 1/2" swing over ways) has a max spindle speed of around 750 RPM and a 7 1/2 HP motor. Clearly designed primarily for use with HSS tooling. A 60 series monarch with similar swing designed to exploit carbide tooling might have max spindle speed in the 1200-1500 RPM range and a 15-20 HP motor.

It should be 1100 rpm.

 

[marka12161]

If 1100 RPM, i would guess it was designed to run carbide so 20HP motor seems reasonable.