I inherited a 1943 WWII LeBlond Regal 17in lathe (serial # D6856). It looks like it’s had a hard life, but its built like a tank and still turns straight and true. I’ve used it a few times, but nothing complex.
When I got it there was a cheap 110v motors mounted to plywood powering it. I’ve installed a 220v motor and wired it to run both directions with the drum switch.
How crazy can I get cleaning this thing? I looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in 30 years. I’m thinking about removing the headstock, carriage, leadscrew, and legs from the bed and cleaning them in sections. Is that a bad idea? Would the headstock need to be aligned with the bed again? Not looking to do that if so.
I have some gear movement inside the headstock, and I’m not sure if it’s normal. I’ve never noticed this while operating the lathe normally. I’m fabricating a belt guard for the lathe. I placed a bar sideways in the chuck to remove the nut holding the hand wheel and pulley. When I did this there was some play between the hand wheel and chuck. So I removed the inspection cover to take a look. It looks like the A-B gear selection handle has some play.
Video of the gear movement:
Where can I get replacement parts? I have 1 gear totally stripped and its mate has a few chips. I would also like to get all new seals, this thing leaks out the top inspection cover after running, and its 70 years old now. I’d like to get an exploded diagram with part numbers so I can order service parts.
Large picture of the broken gear: http://fireguy50.com/private/lathe-broken-gear.jpg
When I got it there was a cheap 110v motors mounted to plywood powering it. I’ve installed a 220v motor and wired it to run both directions with the drum switch.
How crazy can I get cleaning this thing? I looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in 30 years. I’m thinking about removing the headstock, carriage, leadscrew, and legs from the bed and cleaning them in sections. Is that a bad idea? Would the headstock need to be aligned with the bed again? Not looking to do that if so.
I have some gear movement inside the headstock, and I’m not sure if it’s normal. I’ve never noticed this while operating the lathe normally. I’m fabricating a belt guard for the lathe. I placed a bar sideways in the chuck to remove the nut holding the hand wheel and pulley. When I did this there was some play between the hand wheel and chuck. So I removed the inspection cover to take a look. It looks like the A-B gear selection handle has some play.
Video of the gear movement:
Where can I get replacement parts? I have 1 gear totally stripped and its mate has a few chips. I would also like to get all new seals, this thing leaks out the top inspection cover after running, and its 70 years old now. I’d like to get an exploded diagram with part numbers so I can order service parts.
Large picture of the broken gear: http://fireguy50.com/private/lathe-broken-gear.jpg