Coronet Major - query

[disco_monkey79]

Hi

I'm looking to upgrade from my entry-level lathe. Coronet majors seem to be well regarded, so I am contemplating one.

I'm not sure how much the design varied over the years, but I'm referring to the ones where it's a steel bar between cast-iron feet. What stops the tail stock assembly from spinning right round? Is it simply the "pinching" action from being tightened? Or is there a groove or similar machined in to it?

Anything in particular to be on the look-out for, with these?

Also, the one I've seen looks like it has a non-revolving centre in the tailstock. Would it be a major faff to change to a revolving centre, or are these machines an akward size?

Hope that made sense.

Thanks

 

[Normancb]

It's been a while since I saw one but memory says there is a slot along the back of the bed and the tailstock has a spring-loaded plunger to locate it, which can be released to allow it to swing down out of the way. As I recall the tailstock is bored MT1 so you can swap centres. There's probably lots of info on lathes.co.uk

 

[treeturner123]

Just to confirm normancb is quite correct, there is a slot at the back of the bed with a sprung plunger. The plunger has a knurled knob on a screw thread which I often find unscrews!! The pressure of the spring is adjustable.

I've had a coronet major all my turning life and am generally happy with it, with the head turned you can take up to about 23inchs.

However, there are three drawbacks

1 - You really need a speed control, I started without and found that turning a 23inc disk at the lowest speed - 400 revs gave an edge speed approaching 30mph!
2 - The distance of the motor from the 'axel' does mean that there is a certain amount of 'bounce' o you have to be careful with your speeds.
3 - The securing pin on mine does not centre the drive end to the tailstock so I always have to do a 'Kis' and then re-check with a longer section of wood held in a chuck.

Nonetheless, a good piece of kit.

Phil

 

[disco_monkey79]

Thanks all. I bought it, so looking forward to having a go on it. It's certainly a lot sturdier than my little Clarke jobbie

 

[disco_monkey79]

Hmmm, so... It doesn't want to work. If I press the start button, the motor tries to start, but immediately stops.

I'm using it on an extension lead)(as I do for all my woodworking equipment). Is the motor too powerful for this?

Or could there be something else wrong?

Thanks

 

[RobinBHM]

Capacitor maybe?

If it wss a supply probkem, Id have thought it would either work blow fuse / trip out. I doubt a lathe would have a very big motor.

 

[treeturner123]

Disco

If you go straight to getting variable speed control you should bypass this problem as they system comprises a new mote and control. I had mine from www.haydockconverters.co.uk and have had no problems with it for 10 years or more. (other suppliers are available!!)

Phil

 

[disco_monkey79]

Thanks both.

Will get the capacitor tested, and see if I can get the beast running. Then I'll look in to the speed control jobby.