I'm not sure what sort of paint the PO used on this lathe, but it's been a bear to get rid of. While I had intended to use electrolysis, I realized I didn't have any good sacrificial sheet metal to donate to the cause. So that plan hasn't been enacted yet. I did try the Easy Off oven cleaner again. This time I soaked all the parts, came back 8 hours later, and soaked them again, came back 8 hours later and did the scrubbing. This worked very, very well in some spots, and not at all in others. I haven't figured out why. For instance, the motor platform: The Easy Off almost completely cleared off all the paint on the bottom side of it with very little pressure required. But it didn't even budge the stuff on the top side. I mean it's like I didn't even put anything on it. Puzzling for sure. So I removed what I could, considered the idea that it's possible most people would never scrutinize this piece quite so exhaustively as I have been doing, and decided to paint over the stubborn top side paint. We'll see how that worked out in a couple days.
I have big plans for the carriage area. I have an MLA T slot cross slide that's been sitting around here for a few years. I'm going to machine it for this lathe. I'm also going to copy Ironman's carriage improvements detailed here:
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/10-atlas-carriage-modifications.21046/
After I get that done, I'm going to try to copy Dranreb's mods pictured here:
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thr...t-reading-cross-slide-dial.19715/#post-167176
Mine won't be exactly the same as either I'm sure. Firstly, I'm not using a plate of brass on the bottom of the carriage, but two flat bars, and am trying to figure out how I'll make them replaceable. I'm also lacking in confidence on how Ironman did the piece for the apron, and am full of confidence that I'll screw it up. With Dranreb's mods, I won't be using as large of a dial. I have one of those laser cut aluminum dials from an Ebay vendor, and will try to figure out how to adapt it. It won't be direct reading, but I'm mostly concerned with trying to copy his dial adjustment method.
In addition to all of that, there's a fellow out in the ether known as Bogstandard, and another Rick Sparber I believe, whom I'm sure most of you are familiar. They've both done mods to their own Atlas lathes and recorded it for me to steal from. So I'll be cherry picking from them as well. Specifically, Bogstandards method of getting some clearance under the lathe bed, and Mr. Sparber's tailstock lock.
Their stuff can be found here
http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php?topic=1428.0
and here
https://rick.sparber.org/tsl.pdf
and also Mr. Sparber I believe contributes to some of the hobby machining magazines. His website has a ton of interesting information on lathes, mill, shapers, and machining topics. If you're interested, check here:
https://rick.sparber.org/ma.htm
All that said, I believe my ETA on completion will have to be extended. I was thinking June originally. Now I'm thinking October. Which, may very well be too optimistic. But who knows. Luckily, there's only two or three of us even slightly interested. lol
I ordered vertical countershaft gear guards from Antfarm2000 on Ebay today, because I realized just yesterday that I only had one of the two, and it was missing a mounting tab. While I could have fixed it probably, with such a ridiculous list of things I WANT to do to the machine, I just figured I'd sit this one out.
If we count the 65 dollars for that, plus the 80 dollars for the MLA casting, another 100 altogether for supplies I've bought, I think I'm at 675 dollars all in. So, I've failed in my attempts at finishing for 650 dollars. But I'm adding costs that were recouped earlier with the parting out of the original TH54. It was years ago though, and I can't recall exactly how far into the black I was when I was done. I'll assume I made a hundred bucks on that one, and say I have another 75 to spend if need be. HA!
Thanks for reading!
