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Thread: Al340 (AL340D)

  1. #1
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    Default Al340 (AL340D)

    G'day Guys
    I have a lathe i purchased from Hare and Forbes about 12 years ago, Been a good machine, easy to use but i got crook about 3 years ago and moved it into a mates workshop where it got treated like crap. finally got the machine home about 3mnths ago and some of the data on the feed and thread guides has been wiped off. Rang Hare and Forbes and they were unable to get any new plate covers. Would anyone on here have one of these machines that i could possibly get the data for gearing and settings and feed/thread guides?
    pics attached of a machine i found on the internet but i cant zoom in enough to see the number,
    any help would be greatly appreciated
    cheers
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
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    Default

    Hi 3474ing,
    Welcome to the Metalwork Forums.

    I have managed to find a partial photo of a AL 340 D data plate from an old H & F Google ad.
    Al 340 D data plate.jpg
    While the numbers are clear the photo is only a partial view of the data plate.
    Hopefully some one who has one to share with you, will log in soon.

    One wonders, why does not H &f bother to keep manuals and data pertaining to older lathes that could help folks with troubles like yours.It used to called after sales service.

    Another thought is that a lot of these lathes were generic and someone might have a similar lathe with another brand on it.

    They might recognise the the data in the photo and possible might be able to supply the missing information.Maybe it is possible to silk screen a replacement using suitable data?

    Be patient, it may be days or weeks !

    Grahame

  3. #3
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    I have an AL340D (also about 12yo) and still have the very badly reproduced booklet that Hafpos laughingly refers to as a manual. The threading charts are legible from memory, I'll scan them and post them here.

  4. #4
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    Default

    Welcome to the forum.

  5. #5
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    Thanks guys.
    Yea I spoke to haf and they said the maker of the machines is long and gone. (No parts available) Ive been pretty happy with it but it's useless for thread cutting without the data. Wish I had of taken a pic of it myself when I purchased it. Didn't expect the numbers to wipe off.

  6. #6
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    Hi 3474 ing
    It should not be a real problem if Bob Ward can post the plate data.

    You could then scribe the existing aluminium plate with lines as per the original and engrave each number /letter in its respective box using a rotary tool.

    The boxes should be relatively easy to scale.
    Rub a bit of dark marker into the scribe lines and engraving and it won't be rubbed off again.

    Grahame

  7. #7
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    Hi Guys,

    I vaguely remember someone saying that the "Grisly" web site in the US had some good manuals for download.


    EDIT: Thanks Grahame for the web link and the correct spelling of "Grizzly"
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Hi Guys,

    I vaguely remember someone saying that the "Grisly" web site in the US had some good manuals for download.
    Guilty ,your Honor.


    If you are lucky to find one it would not have the same model number,so it means you have go through each lathe manual to get a visual match with your machine.They do list the dimensions eg. 12 x 36" so it cuts out a bit of work.
    The newer ones are not too bad but the older ones it may be more difficult.

    Here is the link to the lathe models to get a visual match and the model no.:
    https://www.grizzly.com/metal-lathes
    Hint,they are in the G400s

    Here's a link to get into the manuals:

    https://www.grizzly.com/manuals

    There is a ton of machinery manuals there so you may well find on for something else you own that needs a decent manual.

    Hope it helps you

    Grahame

  9. #9
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    This manual is dated 2017 and may be too recent.
    They change the fascias pretty often but the other bits may be ok,

    https://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/g0709_m.pdf

    Grahame

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    This manual is dated 2017 and may be too recent.
    They change the fascias pretty often but the other bits may be ok,

    https://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/g0709_m.pdf

    Grahame
    You guys are Champions

    couldn't find similar setting but i did find a pdf after your manual search gave me the idea to search al340 manual and found specs for L179 lathe.
    If you could check these with your machine Bob that would be great, Could still do with the letter indicators on the dials and levers as well.
    thanks again
    Attached Files Attached Files

  11. #11
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    Threading chart.

    The threading charts can be paper copies in plastic sleeves kept near the lathe.

    A harder to solve problem is what to do when the letters and divisions for the 2 change feed levers eventually get scrubbed off.



  12. #12
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    Thanks Bob
    With the pics ive found I can work out the other settings. Will take to the machine with an engraver and put some permanent marks on there.
    I have also noticed recently that I'm getting some funny marks when machining with the feed. Pretty constant through the entire feed.
    Any ideas on what it might be?
    Will try and get some pics of what is happening.
    Thanks again everyone.
    Cheers

  13. #13
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    Perhaps you need to be more specific.
    Is this "marking"occurring all the time on :
    Every cut -meaning varying diameters, feeds and speeds and every type of metal machined.
    Is it tool and tool post rigidity- are tool overhangs minimised?
    Drive belts,have been mentioned here, in this forum, in causing harmonics. I recall people went to segmented belts in some cases ,for a cure.

    What sort of condition are the spindle bearings in? Could they have been mistreated while your lathe was out of your care?
    Doubtless one of our machinists will be able to advise on how to check these bearings.

    Just a few things that come to mind.

    Grahame

  14. #14
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    Don't know if its the same funny marks as you are seeing, but in the early days I was getting a faint spiral appearing on the work piece when turning with the power feed. When hand feeding all was well but power feed gave me a faint spiral. Couldn't figure it out so got the Hafpos tech to have a look, and the cause was the cross feed screw, I forget the details of why.

  15. #15
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    Hi Guys,

    In the early days of learning how to use the lathe, I used to get a very faint spiral when using power feed. The cure was simply tightening the saddle gibs a little. I was told that it was because of the slight difference between the leadscrew thread and the half nut thread.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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