Reputable shop to restore Heavy 10 ways in Salt Lake City, Utah area?

T

Turbo.USMC

Plastic

Joined

Jan 30, 2019

• Jan 31, 2019

• #1

I was just given a Heavy 10 lathe from my grandfather. I've used it a few times for projects as a kid, and I'm very honored and excited to have it in my own garage now. There is a very noticeable stretch of a low spot near the chuck which I would assume is from wear in the most commonly utilized space on the ways over the last 50+ years. I can tighten the apron down and have it completely loose on that short section, but when I move it to the rear it will cinch down where it isn't nearly as worn.

I've searched and read through some posts on this forum. It appears I need to have the bed ground and scraped to restore it get the best flatness/precision possible. I don't currently feel like enduring a learning curve of learning scraping on my own, and I don't have grinding equipment. I would really like to have this done right, and done right the first time.

I'm located around Salt Lake City, Utah. Is there a shop anyone has used they would recommend, or someone who has experience and a good reputation for this kind of work?

Thank you

 

I

iwananew10K

Diamond

Joined

Sep 12, 2010

Location

moscow,ohio

• Feb 1, 2019

• #2

you will probably have better luck in the reconditioning part of the forum.

 

C

Colt45

Hot Rolled

Joined

Nov 27, 2004

Location

SLC, UT

• Feb 1, 2019

• #3

Roberts Rebuilds – Rebuilder of metal working machinery does excellent work.
Disclosure: I am friends with the owner and have seen a lot of their work.

 

G

garyphansen

Titanium

Joined

Feb 9, 2004

Location

Traverse City, MI

• Feb 1, 2019

• #4

There is more to it than to just grinding the bed. To do the job right it usually costs about $3,000 in labor. For that price you could buy another Heavy 10 with a harden bed and use the best parts from each for a rebuild.

 

O

Ohio Mike

Titanium

Joined

Oct 30, 2008

Location

Central Ohio, USA

• Feb 1, 2019

• #5

As noted it will be expensive so don't worry about location, if the shipping is too expensive you'll never afford the actual rebuild.

Seem to recall there was someone in the Kansas/Missouri area that was doing amazing Heavy 10 rebuilds. Can't recall where I heard that, maybe Richard King?

 

I

iwananew10K

Diamond

Joined

Sep 12, 2010

Location

moscow,ohio

• Feb 1, 2019

• #6

I would suggest taking that carriage lock test with a LARGE grain...any number of factors can contribute to it binding of which bed/saddle wear is only part.

 

Cole2534

Diamond

Joined

Sep 10, 2010

Location

Oklahoma City, OK

• Feb 1, 2019

• #7

Turbo.USMC said:

I was just given a Heavy 10 lathe from my grandfather. I've used it a few times for projects as a kid, and I'm very honored and excited to have it in my own garage now....

Click to expand...

Just use it. You'll be surprised how much that won't affect your work.

 

D

dalmatiangirl61

Diamond

Joined

Jan 31, 2011

Location

BFE Nevada/San Marcos Tx

• Feb 1, 2019

• #8

Agreed, just clean it up and use it as-is, it will still make good parts. If you need "super" precision, you need a different lathe.

 

T

Tony Quiring

Titanium

Joined

Nov 5, 2008

Location

Madera county california usa

• Feb 1, 2019

• #9

Get out paper and pencil and draw a side view of the cutter touching the work.

Simple...draw a circle and a horizontal line supported by a box.

Bottom of box make an inverted v to represent the ways.

Now focus on the circle representing your work

The line is your cutting edge.

Now vary the edge in verticle place up or down by say 0.050 and you see little difference in depth of cut.

You can do some math to see but not that much.

Yes it will be different than the unworn area but most of your work will usually be within the worn area so it will not change much.

Long shaft different maybe.

Just learn how to use it as is and look for a better one.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

I

iwananew10K

Diamond

Joined

Sep 12, 2010

Location

moscow,ohio

• Feb 1, 2019

• #10

this is his G'dad's lathe...I don't think he wants another one?

 

D

Dobermann

Hot Rolled

Joined

Jan 2, 2014

Location

North Carolina

• Feb 2, 2019

• #11

Yes, it might be Granddad's lathe but by the time he gets finished grinding/scraping the bed, re-fitting the headstock, carriage, QC gearbox, lead screw, and tailstock to the "new" bed, it won't really be Granddad's lathe, will it. I agree with the recommendation to use it and enjoy it as it is and look for a better SB or even a different lathe if extreme precision is the goal.

 

Cole2534

Diamond

Joined

Sep 10, 2010

Location

Oklahoma City, OK

• Feb 2, 2019

• #12

Here's a graphic illustration of what bed wear does to a part's diameter. I used an,IMO, excessive amount of wear- .050"

As you can see, it only really adds up on small parts.

 

T

Turbo.USMC

Plastic

Joined

Jan 30, 2019

• Feb 11, 2019

• #13

Thanks for the replies everyone. I believe if I'm being honest with myself, it probably won't be a real problem in the actual use it will see from me. I guess I just have a desire to make this thing as pristine as it can be, but it sounds like it may not be worth the headache and money it would require to re-work it.

 

Richard King

Diamond

Joined

Jul 12, 2005

Location

Cottage Grove, MN 55016

• Feb 15, 2019

• #14

You will be surprised how well a old lathe will work or cut with some TLC and some emery cloth and a file. I know Axel Fors and he's in Salt Lake City. I would suggest you do the dismantling, cleaning and have him plane the bed and cross slide and you do the rest. I can help you online, on the phone or you can attend one of my scraping classes sometime. Also one of my students might step and help if they live near you. A.W. Fors Machine Shop