Basket case Harbor Freight 8x12/14 Lathe

[songbird]

Hello all. I'm new to this forum so I hope I'm in the right section. I recently bought a "basket case" HB 8x12 lathe and currently trying to piece it back together. Most parts are there and what I'm missing I've ordered from Harbor Freight. These are due in 6-8 weeks hopefully. The last owner thought he wanted to convert to "C n C", so dissasembled the gear train and threw away the main leadscrew and assemblies. I have the gears and ""gear change box/bracket" but have no idea how it's held in place. Can anyone provide pictures of the gears in place, (owners manual does not show). The spindle is intact and runs, there just is no power feed horizontally. Also the picure on the manual shows a "box" just to the right of the apron, but there is no reference to it. Is this just a "oiler/wiper". Thanks in advance for any info, Jim.

 

[swatson144]

Also the picure on the manual shows a "box" just to the right of the apron, but there is no reference to it

I think you are referring the thread indicator (or indexer) It is driven by the leadscrew and turns an indicator dial so you know when to engage the half nuts when threading. http://www.micro-machine-shop.com/single_point_threading.htm for more details.

Steve

 

[songbird]

Hi Jim, welcome. This should help you.

http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/44000-44999/44859.pdf

"Billy G" :biggrin:

Thanks for the reply. I have already downloaded the manual, but it does not show enough detail of how the gear s and bracket are held in place, or engaged. I know the gear box bracket clamps to the main leadscrew, so I may have to "jerry rig" an engagement handle. I'm hoping it will be more clear when I get the replacement parts. Thanks again.

 

[songbird]

Proper name for that box ie "Thread Dial" You engage it when threading so you know when to engage the half nuts. I can see where one can get confesed looking at that manual. A lot od the parts are misnamed, Half nuts are clasp nuts. The spindle bearings in the pic are ball bearings not roller bearings. You really have to put on the thinking cap to follow some of it. :thinking:

"Billy G" :thumbzup:

Thanks for the reply. I doubt that I will be doing any threading, so as far as horizontal feeding, it sounds like I won't need it, (I hope). Thanks again.

 

[jumps4]

this may be your handle your missing
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_search.php?critFast=8x12
steve

 

[songbird]

this may be your handle your missing
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_search.php?critFast=8x12
steve

Thanks Steve. I shopped the site, but still think I need to find pictures before I can figue out what I need. By the way, I looked at a friends 10" logan lathe gear set up, I don't think it's a whole lot different. Someday I will figure out how to attach pics. Thanks again Steve.

 

[songbird]

I think you are referring the thread indicator (or indexer) It is driven by the leadscrew and turns an indicator dial so you know when to engage the half nuts when threading. http://www.micro-machine-shop.com/single_point_threading.htm for more details.

Steve

Thanks, when I looked at my friends Logan lathe, he showed me the tread dial. It now makes sense, so as long as I don't plan on cutting threads, I won't need it.

 

[swatson144]

HF has pretty good parts support and inexpensive. Just call the tech support number in the manual with the stock code in hand and serial number if you got it. I am always surprised by how reasonable the prices and shipping costs are.

It takes a while to get the parts though so don't bother with expedited shipping.

Steve

 

[songbird]

HF has pretty good parts support and inexpensive. Just call the tech support number in the manual with the stock code in hand and serial number if you got it. I am always surprised by how reasonable the prices and shipping costs are.

It takes a while to get the parts though so don't bother with expedited shipping.

Steve[/QUOTE

Thanks Steve. I have allready done that, and yes I was AMAZED at their prices and and customer support. The prices were way better than anything you will find on e-bay. The only glitz was it takes 4 - 6 weeks delivery, because of coming straight from the manufacturer in China. The plus is you don't have to give a credit card number untill it's in their warehouse in the USA. They were frendly and helpfull on the phone. I've ordered from them a week ago, so the waiting continues. I will let everyone know when it comes in. Thanks again, Jim.

 

[donf]

I shopped the site, but still think I need to find pictures before I can figue out what I need

http://yoshiokasyd.web.fc2.com/Annexes/Machine_Tools/index.htm has a tear down of a lathe very close to my 8x12 - it may or may not help.