Colchester Chipmaster

[BeauF]

Recently purchased my first lathe a Colchester chipmaster 5x20 , after having it delivered and getting in into the workshop ,one thing or another happens and before you know it 3 months have passed and you’ve not turned the thing on. So I went out to it this morning to find both oil level indicators are showing empty. There doesn’t seem to be any oil anywhere apart from in the tray at the front , I’ve read that oil leaking on these is somewhat a common problem. Is there any advise on where to start to get this issue fixed.

Thanks
Beau


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[Choiliefan]

There's at least one expert on these lathes on Practical Machinist.
Perhaps Tony has a manual available if you need one.
He runs this site: https://www.lathes.co.uk/chipmaster/

 

[BeauF]

There's at least one expert on these lathes on Practical Machinist.
Perhaps Tony has a manual available if you need one.
He runs this site: https://www.lathes.co.uk/chipmaster/

Thanks for the info . I’ll have a look over on there, I’ve actually already purchased the manual from that website


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[matthewsx]

Hello and welcome,

Here's what I think, you could just top it off and start using it. The places where it leaks should become obvious soon enough.

From my perspective, if a machine tool is leaking it's a little bit like my British cars. It just means it has oil in it....

That is to say, using the machine may be preferable to trying to fix a problem that isn't really a problem. Machine shops are generally messy places, with chips being generated, cutting fluids, etc. you may not even notice the amount of oil actually leaking from the machine.

One of the things we see here quite often, which is heartbreaking, is when someone new to the hobby buys a functional machine and tears it apart trying to fix a "problem" that didn't need to be fixed. IMHO, if you don't know that there's an issue you will be far better off just starting to use the machine and leaving any fix up till you have more experience.

For me this also extends to lathe leveling. Yes, it does matter when turning longer parts, but mostly beginners will be working close to the chuck where any error from bed twisting will be minimal. You can always go back later to make things better but it's good to have a baseline, and learn how to measure things, before you start trying to fix stuff that you read about on the internet.

Cheers,

John

 

[SouthernChap]

Hello mate, that's a solid chunk of a machine for a first lathe.

My local community shed has one and they were fortunate that the local company that gave it to them gratis had machine moving and rigging guys and helped them get it to the workshop and get in place. Their workshop entrance is just over two shoulder widths wide so it must have been fun! Still the Chipmaster is not a 'deep' machine, so that would help, I guess.

Oh and pictures would be good (it seems one unwritten rule of this place is 'pictures or it didn't happen!' ).

Whereabouts in the UK are you? There are a few of us 'Subjects of His Majesty' (still feels odd, saying His Majesty) on here. Me, I'm a rank beginner ('some of the gear with bugger all idea' ) but @GrifterGuru knows what he's on about machining-wise.

You picked the right forum to join though. Loads of experience and skills on here.

@matthewsx is spot on. I have a little Chinese 7x14 mini lathe and whilst much of the fettling and upgrading I've done has been necessary, there's some of it that I wish I'd put off 'till a little later and spent more time in between 'improvement' phases just making chips.

Eh, my own fault, should have been more patient and bought a Boxford or maybe even a Colchester Bantam or a Chipmaster like yours.

 

[BeauF]

Thanks for the messages guys

John I think you’re right. I would like to get some use from the machine and get some sort of an education on it before I tear it apart. It must be a slow leak so if I have to top it up every couple of months it’s not the end of the world to get going with the hobby, thanks for the advise

SouthernChap

I am in Derbyshire, although a complete
Novice when it comes to lathes and metal working in general. I have some experience buying machinery ( almost all joinery machinery) and one thing I have learned is they don’t make them like they used to. I am yet to come across anything modern that can compete with some of the heavy duty cast machines from 50s & 60s. More often than not if you’re willing to put up with the hassle of moving these very heavy lumps you often get some really good machines for the money, and besides that I am a sucker for a few hundred KG of cast iron.

I really would just like to make something on it so as long as it’s not going to break the machine,
I think topping it up and getting on with it is the way forward.

On that note does anyone have any recommendations for where to buy the equivalent oils for the chipmaster? I no the shell tellus oils aren’t sold anymore but am sure there is equivalent specs out there.

Oh and I’ll get some photos uploaded asap.

Thanks again
Beau

 

[GrifterGuru]

On that note does anyone have any recommendations for where to buy the equivalent oils for the chipmaster? I no the shell tellus oils aren’t sold anymore but am sure there is equivalent specs out there.

Oh and I’ll get some photos uploaded asap.

Thanks again
Beau

If you know the original specs for the Shell tellus oils, you can cross search google for modern equivelants to suit. You will want an anti-foaming oil, so that is something to consider.

Given the leak, maybe have a look at a slightly heavy/thicker oil until you are comfortable enough to consider looking into resolving the leak.

On a side note, I have had much success (historically) using a quality gasket material coated both sides with blue hylomar on coverplates and fibre washers behind screw-fitting sight glasses.

One word of advice, when topping off oil levels is to remember not to fill above the centre of the circle in the sight glass as that is treated as the "Max fill" line. Usually, dead level across the middle is about right, but filling to the top of the middle circle has never caused an issue where a leak is present, it just extends how long it takes to drain.

 

[slow-poke]

Comment from the peanut gallery. A friend of mine has a chipmaster and it was leaking. He added a little Lucas additive specific to fixing slow leaks and no more leak.

 

[SouthernChap]

I am in Derbyshire, although a complete
Novice when it comes to lathes and metal working in general. I have some experience buying machinery ( almost all joinery machinery) and one thing I have learned is they don’t make them like they used to. I am yet to come across anything modern that can compete with some of the heavy duty cast machines from 50s & 60s. More often than not if you’re willing to put up with the hassle of moving these very heavy lumps you often get some really good machines for the money, and besides that I am a sucker for a few hundred KG of cast iron.

Well, assuming other than the leak and the normal used lathe teething troubles, the lathe is sound, you may have bought your first and last lathe.

If you end up buying another it'll be because a 5" (10" for our American brothers ) by 20" isn't enough work envelope for you.

Beautiful part of the country, only been on a brief visit about 25 years ago (was travelling through it) and had a detour to Haddon Hall and vaguely remember going to Bakewell too on the way back through Derbyshire. Nice pudding.

 

[BeauF]

Thank you for all the help and advice, this forum seems like a great place for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Really looking forward to getting stuck in and learning.


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