Atlas QC54 counter shaft alignment

[Jays’68atlas]

Hi guys. I recently bought a 1968 QC54. The previous original owner I got it from broke a feed gear early on after buying it and never used it after. So it’s pretty much new. I welded a table for it and made some stainless covers I’ll post just to show what I’ve done, but here’s my problem. After bolting the lathe through the legs with the mounting holes I noticed the countershaft pulley is out of alignment by about 3/4”. So the belt is very close to the back gear and skewed on the pulleys. I see the countershaft pulley has a keyway and the key sticks out about 1/8” in the opposite direction of the way I need to slide over the pulley. I loosened the screw in the pulleys but the thing won’t budge. I worry if I can move it the amount I need to the keyway will be sticking out almost an inch.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GrifterGuru]

May sound a daft question, it probably is, but have you tried warming the pulley boss/hub with a torch to get it to expand a little? This is just a question, not suggesting you try this if you are not comfortable with the idea.

Have you tried soaking the area with penetrating oil for a day or two to see if that will help it break free? (Kroil perhaps?)

It may be that the pulley is "frozen" from not being moved and corrosion building up or it could be that the key is over height or damaged and that could be causing the issue.

 

[Jays’68atlas]

I used penetrating oil yesterday. Didn’t heat it up but I wondered if the key is even long enough to move it 3/4”. Seems like the key would be barely engaged if I were to get it where I need it. Looking at the diagram the key seems to be only 1” long. I’m wondering why the alignment is so off. It’s like the mounting hole in the lathe going through the holes in the leg are the problem. If I were to mount the leg with the motor 3/4” closer to the middle that would fix this issue, but I’m pretty sure the legs are designed to be bolted directly through the lathe mounts but I’m not certain this is true. They lineup so perfectly though I would think it is correct but I wonder if these legs came from a different older model atlas. Or it makes me wonder if the shaft was installed backwards and the keyway is offset from the center. I guess I may have to just disassemble it. I just got distal tendon bicep surgery two days ago though so that will have to wait.

 

[benmychree]

I don't know if this relates to the problem at hand, but either the motor pulley is on backwards, or the countershaft pulley is on backwards; the small and large pulley should engage each other (small motor pulley should engage large countershaft pulley & vice versa. It seems obvious that the cone pulley on the countershaft is in the wrong location, or the whole countershaft is not in its correct location.

 

[Jays’68atlas]

The motor pulley was not on the shaft when I bought it. I initially had installed the smaller pulley on the motor to go with the larger pulley on the countershaft and then I saw a video or a picture where it was the way it is now. Smh. Ok I’ll put it back the correct way. I’m such a newb thanks.

 

[benmychree]

The motor pulley was not on the shaft when I bought it. I initially had installed the smaller pulley on the motor to go with the larger pulley on the countershaft and then I saw a video or a picture where it was the way it is now. Smh. Ok I’ll put it back the correct way. I’m such a newb thanks.

It is designed to provide two speed ranges with the motor in approximately the same position using one length of belt, this would not likely be possible as pictured, the motor would drop a considerable distance and the belt likely would be too short when the belt is shifted to the other combination.

 

[GrifterGuru]

I’m such a newb.

@Jays’68atlas

Don't sweat it, we all start somewhere and we all need to learn a few things and gain experience. It is an integral, often enjoyable, sometimes frustrating at times, part of the hobby so do not beat yourself up about it. It can be, often is, a steep learning curve but one that we willingly take on to expand our knowledge, experience and skill set.

We all make mistakes (me included), we are human after all, it is how you deal with it and move on that matters.

There are some fantastic, supportive members on this forum who are more than willing to share knowledge, experience, tips and tricks.

Remember "the only stupid question is the one you never ask".

You have a lathe, therefore you have entered the hobby and that machine is where the fun begins. Getting it set up, tooled up and ready for use is a fun aspect, but also can be costly depending on the route you take. Once the lathe is tooled up (chucks/cutting tools/steadies/tailstock tooling/spare belts!!) et-al, then the fun really begins once you start making chips.

 

[Jays’68atlas]

Thanks for that. I really enjoy this process actually of assembling it and figuring things out. I bought my Bridgeport and immediately fully disassembled it and rebuilt it which was a joy to do. Making this machine run after sitting for 40 years will be a huge accomplishment and I can’t wait to start turning. Just gotta work out these bugs. I’ll only have one arm for a couple months while my arm heals so my 8 year old son has really stepped it up

 

[GrifterGuru]

Thanks for that. I really enjoy this process actually of assembling it and figuring things out. I bought my Bridgeport and immediately fully disassembled it and rebuilt it which was a joy to do. Making this machine run after sitting for 40 years will be a huge accomplishment and I can’t wait to start turning. Just gotta work out these bugs. I’ll only have one arm for a couple months while my arm heals so my 8 year old son has really stepped it up

That you 8y/o is involved is great. Make it a joint hobby, teach him what you learn as you go, encourage him to learn as well and he will be able to take care of certain projects and have certain skills for life.

I learnt a lot from a generation of elders who were willing to spend time and effort teaching me. What I learnt from them plays a part in every day of my life. The biggest things I learnt? Respect, Patience, take things slowly and methodically and ask questions if you are unsure of anything. The best lesson? Document, document, document, document EVERYTHING! carry a note pad and sketchpad with you at all times. You never know when you will need them.