Thread: Newbie looking for some help with Qualos

G'day to all,
I have been lurking about here for a few months and finally decided to register a few weeks ago, and this is my inaugural post here.

I bought an Australian made, Melbourne Qualos lathe some time ago that was partially dismantled by the previous owner and I'm looking for some assistance to help get this old girl up and going.

What I would really like is if some other member(s) have a Qualos and could supply some pics of the change gears in place.

Also I think that I may be missing some change gears so if anyone knows what gears were supplied with these lathes, and also if a travelling steady was supplied and if anyone has a spare travelling steady hanging around gathering dust and they would like to sell it, that would be helpful too.

I don't know of that brand but this site has some info and pictures that may be of interest.

Page Title

Rgds.

Thanks Triton,
I have been at that site and although it does have some good pics of the Qualos, and I think I have the "B" model , not the Junior, it does not show the change gears in their arrangement.

The Qualos was made in Melbourne. in the 50s and 60s and the company is still in existance today, although they do'nt make lathes anymore (but who does in Oz these days). They still have engineering works and sell lathe related hardware.

It is a very well engineered, solid lathe of about 10 1/2" swing over the bed and about 30" between centres, 9 speed geared spindle, clutch operated with power feed and cross feed also.

Anyway, I will keep on looking and seeking info on these lathes.

OK, It appears that I may have the only working B model Qualos (no. 935) on the forum.

Anyhow, I got the change gears figuired out and the lathe is up and running with a few issues (hopefully small ones) that I hope to sort out. I will list these and if anyone here would like to offer their opinions, I will appreciate them.

1) The spindle has about .002" movement side to side when an dial gauge is set to the bare spindle nose and lateral pressure is applied with a lever about 2.5' long with moderate weight. When the threaded 3 jaw is attached, and the same testing as previously mentioned is done, the lateral movement as shown on the dial gauge reads about .012".
Will a simple adjustment of the tapered (I think) bearings correct the deflection on the 3 jaw?

2) It appears that some one previous to me has somewhat butchered the spindle taper (MT2). What I would like to know is it OK to turn out and enlarge this existing MT to the next size, once I have readjusted the spindle bearings and I get it running true. It appears that there is enough material to open it up to a MT3, but what is this best way to go about achieving an accurate MT3. Having read up on MT turning, there is not much room for any small errors with these tapers and I won't have alot of test cuts or chances to get it right.

Good to hear you are up and running

That spindle doesn't sound good, if it has bearing I would adjust them up a bit.

With the taper really make sure you have enough meat, usually the factory will put the largest taper in as a selling point.
If the spindle checks out we can point you in the right direction for cutting the taper, we were only discussing it the other week in this thread.
http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/la...-error-120017/

Dave

I am happy to say you are not the only Qualos owner in Australia.

I have had mine for about a year but due to other commitments have not had time to work on it, mine sounds to be the same as yours but the history on Lathes UK seems to indicate they were made around 1946 ?
Mine looks like the restored one on the web page but I did not get the original legs.
I got mine as a sort of trade in when I sold a newer lathe to a friend, it has no drive screw on the leadscrew & he did his work by using the lowest gearing on the half nuts.
If you ever have the apron off i would be interested in the pitch of the screw & dimentions of the gear so i can make new ones.
I got a travelling & fixed steady with mine, the fixed steady mounts with two acrews on the top of the apron at the front, both my steadies are incomplete but they are a simple one somilar to the Hurcus / Myford & other copies of South Bend lathes
Your change gears meeded for screw cutting are listed on the brass plaque at the front of the gearbox, if you don't have this I could send you the info.
I restore old workshop eguiptment when I find time, my first lathe restoration was a 1926 Britannia (hence my forum name) the change gears are exactly the same as the Qualos so I am lucky to have a good selection. You may be able to source some from sellers of used lathes, but be warned that I have six lathes at the moment, two of them Macsons of different size & only the Qualos & Britannia share gears.
Hopefully this is of help, if I can be of further halp just ask.
Cheers Barry.

Barry,
It's good to know that I'm not alone with my Qualos (Serial no. B935).

I really haven't had to time to sort out my spindle problems as of this time, but maybe in the coming warmer months I will find the time.

I did have the apron off mine lathe some time ago and while I was there I made and fitted a new drive key for the feedscrew nut. Pity it's all back together now, cause it's a bit of a headache to get it all back together. If you really get stuck for the dimensions of that feedscrew nut I guess I can dismantle it again. Maybe someone else here can help you out with it.

I do have the brass changegear plate on my machine, so I guess I can determine what gears I need from that.

I have a complete fixed steady, so if you need any dimensions from it to complete yoursm, no problem, just ask.

Incidently, I phoned Qualos in Melbourne not long ago to ask if they have any left over bits 'n pieces and got onto a guy that has been with the company for many years.

He told me that when Qualos went out of lathe manufacturing, they sold most of their spare parts and stuff to a guy that on sold and dealt in the parts etc.

He must have died somewhat unexpectedly and his family didn't know what to do with the old lathe stuff, so they sent it all to the scrap metal yard........ .

I'm not sure, but I believe these lathes were made in the late 1940s and 50s.

Anyhow, we know there are at least 2 of lathes in existance,.........anymore anyone??

re your spindle taper, you should be able to set up and just take a cleanup cut out if the existing taper. All that will do is make the taper slightly larger but if you keep cutting until the tool runs out into the bore you have effectively moved the taper a little further into the spindle. This will just move the live centre a bit further into the spindle. If this is an issue you might have to turn up a special, longer live centre. No big deal.
bollie7

I would imagine there would be quite a number of Qualos lathes around...

Qualos also made gear hobbers, there was one on ebay last year...