Sheldon Exl-56b - "fixer Upper" Is There Any Hope, Doctor?

[AJB]

Six months ago I purchased a lathe in similar condition but maybe no quite as bad. I had good luck removing the bulk of the rust with Oshpho. For the really stubborn areas, I would soak with oshpho and immediately rub with crumpled up aluminum foil. These aren't real good pictures but they will give you an idea of the before and after.

 

[d4xycrq]

Clueless: My electrolysis tank is ready to go!

Hvontres: Stored outside, oceanfront, no doubt!

Middle: I may need a half dozen electrolysis tanks!

Atwaterrkent: I love that 8N! Does everything around here. Well spotted, with regard to the shaper bits.

Matt: I was shocked when I opened the drawers! Not much missing, is there. Which is a good thing, as you don’t see much on eBay. Indeed the backgears are not missing any teeth, nor are the change gears. I will rebuild it. And it was $660. Seller loaded it into my truck. No rigger required.

Ulma: Who did this? Our government. Left outside for years.

Hermetic: Yep, I was the sucker, er, ah, I mean successful bidder.

AJB: Remarkable transformation! Very nice!

Here follows some pictures before and after lots of work knocking the rust off the ways. My intention is to put this critter back together and see how a test bar does. If the results are pathetic, I’ll scrape and flake.



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Meanwhile, here’s the gearbox, headstock, etc…

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Condition of the carriage was remarkably clean inside:

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That feed screw looks rough though!

Headstock bearings:

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Underdrive could be worse:

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Very tidy, no swarf, but a bit of rust, though…!

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The electric motor is dated 1989 (scratched on by hand), so the lathe was in service as late as then…but what year was the lathe made!? Serial number is TXE 17696 T. Anybody know?

Best regards,

Ray[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

 

[Cactus Farmer]

Are you in need of the shaper tools? I sure can use them, ya see, I have 2 of the lovely things and am always looking for accessories to add to my collection.......

 

[randyc]

Downright shameful treatment of a fine old lathe ! I have the same machine, built in 1944 and it's still a hard-working old girl -

 

[mattthemuppet2]

looks like it's cleaning up nicely already, even without having to go nuclear on it! A couple of weeks/ months hard work and I think you'll have an incredibly capable tool for very little invested.

 

[CluelessNewB]

Are you in need of the shaper tools?

I was being good and not trying to poach them

Lathe is looking better by the hour!

 

[Cactus Farmer]

I was not trying to "poach" the shaper tools. If they are of no use to him I was hoping to trade him some of my excess lathe tools.
Go ahead and take the first shot.

 

[CluelessNewB]

Sorry if my use of the word "poach" was taken wrong, it was my unsuccessful attempt at humor.

My only interest would be the tool holder below as the one on my South Bend shaper is not so good. I suspect the crank handle (Atlas also?) would be more interesting to others.

 

[mzayd3]

that will be quite a nice latthe once you are done. i have a uxl version and love it. would you be willing to take a few pictures of the carriage locking mechanism? i have to sort some issues out on mine. if you haven't already, join the yahoo sheldon group- there is a wealth of info there. enjoy your project and good luck!!

 

[Ulma Doctor]

The lathe is already looking better than i thought possible!!!
Great Work!!!!