Thread: Need Sheraton Conquest info

Hey, im looking for info and pictures on the Sheraton conquest lathe. So i wanted to know if any of you guys know of any info on the Sheraton Conquest metal lathe because i cant find a single thing, the only thing i could find was that it is a gear headed version of the south bend 10".

Cooper

Having recently restored my conquest, I inspected inside the headstock to check the condition of the gears and any wear. The photos show a well designed and solidly constucted headstock. Three of the gears are of the fibre material, which account for the silent running. Wear was not noticed on the gear spurs. The spindle bearings are timken taper roller, class 3 tolerance. The spindle mount is camlock D1-3, not a common size.
I can supply more photo's of the finished machine in a later post.
Peter

Now please don't take this the wrong way but I would suggest that you get the money together ($600-$1500) and then look at what is available in that price range. Looking around without ready cash will only lead to disapointment. Lathes will be around for a lng time and who knows the exact one you are looking for will turn up and then as you have the cash you can buy it and not worry that it will be sold before you can save up the money
Pete

Originally Posted by fxst

Now please don't take this the wrong way but I would suggest that you get the money together ($600-$1500) and then look at what is available in that price range. Looking around without ready cash will only lead to disapointment. Lathes will be around for a lng time and who knows the exact one you are looking for will turn up and then as you have the cash you can buy it and not worry that it will be sold before you can save up the money
Pete

Hi fxst,

Just to bring you a little more up to date on the story so far, Cooper (xXvapourXx) has already been kindly offered a Sheraton Conquest by Eric (erickendall) very generously free of charge, an earlier thread has more of the details... the latter portion of this thread http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/lathe-anygood-136905/

now read on...

Regards
Ray

Having recently restored my conquest, I inspected inside the headstock to check the condition of the gears and any wear. The photos show a well designed and solidly constucted headstock. Three of the gears are of the fibre material, which account for the silent running. Wear was not noticed on the gear spurs. The spindle bearings are timken taper roller, class 3 tolerance. The spindle mount is camlock D1-3, not a common size.
I can supply more photo's of the finished machine in a later post.
Peter

WOW greatjob on the restoration i hope to do that with mine when i get the lathe and have time
The three gears made from fiber metal, are they stock or did you buy new ones because i might buy some for silent running since i live in area with lots of houses surrounding and so i can use it during the night without bothering people.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fxst
Now please don't take this the wrong way but I would suggest that you get the money together ($600-$1500) and then look at what is available in that price range. Looking around without ready cash will only lead to disapointment. Lathes will be around for a lng time and who knows the exact one you are looking for will turn up and then as you have the cash you can buy it and not worry that it will be sold before you can save up the money
Pete
Hi fxst,

Just to bring you a little more up to date on the story so far, Cooper (xXvapourXx) has already been kindly offered a Sheraton Conquest by Eric (erickendall) very generously free of charge, an earlier thread has more of the details... the latter portion of this thread http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/lathe-anygood-136905/

now read on...

Regards
Ray

You bet me to it but thanks for telling Fxst

I can supply more photo's of the finished machine in a later post.
Peter

looking forward to more pictures of your Sheraton and info.

Cooper

The headstock was found to be in pristine condition, as the photo's show. I did not need to touch the gearbox or the spindle bearings, simply changed the oil.
If you look at the design of the gearbox, the size of the gears are massive compared to modern day products. These lathes were built to the highest standards of the day and in small numbers. The close machining tolerances, quality materials and a conservative design mean that they will last. As far as I know, the conquest model was supplied to the army as a training lathe, not sure how many are about. But they are quite rare.
So obviously it is worth the effort to restore properly, as I know you will.
I can help with any info to get you going, let me know what stage you are at.
Regards,
Peter

Originally Posted by brittleheart

The headstock was found to be in pristine condition, as the photo's show. I did not need to touch the gearbox or the spindle bearings, simply changed the oil.
If you look at the design of the gearbox, the size of the gears are massive compared to modern day products. These lathes were built to the highest standards of the day and in small numbers. The close machining tolerances, quality materials and a conservative design mean that they will last. As far as I know, the conquest model was supplied to the army as a training lathe, not sure how many are about. But they are quite rare.
So obviously it is worth the effort to restore properly, as I know you will.
I can help with any info to get you going, let me know what stage you are at.
Regards,
Peter

I thought they would be pretty rare seeing that theres barely any info on the lathes but the only way to really find out about these lathes are really to ask the owners, another cool thing is that hearing from some other owners including brittle is that some of these lathes were made for the army for training. With oiling the parts what oil is good to use? 1 to 10 what would you rate this lathe for sound a quality?

aaah ok. I hadn't seen that. I just didn't want a young aspiring machinist to get dis-heartened and give it away. Nice to know people still try and help out. I reckon thats a great donation and hope karma is returned

Pete

I think its a bit subjective to rate any of the better machinery, it's "what it can allow you to do" that is important. It will be accurate enough for most requirements (within its size), but keep in mind the other important things. Good sharp tooling, learning to sharpen the tooling, safety and a good understanding also count. There is plenty of people willing to give advice on this forum, most from years of experince, so ask away. Many would be able to get a 10/10 result from a lathe, when others would struggle.
Put it this way, if it is cleaned up and adjusted properly and has not been damaged, it will be fine. GL Sheraton used to make parts for Colchester lathes, so I wouldn't be concerned about quality.
You asked about types of oil? This will no doubt open a hornets nest of replies, I would be more concerned at dismantling and cleaning the parts that get dirty first. I have photo's of some parts and they are easy to work on.
A couple of suggestions: Leave the headstock alone for now, its is sealed. If taking the apron apart, the srew in the clutch is LEFT hand thread. The lathe bed is hardened, be careful not to use abrasives to clean up. Steel wool is OK, but a green scrubbing pad can scratch. I used WD40 or CRC with rags to clean. A coat of mineral oil is good to stop corrosion after cleaning.
Thats a start,
Peter

I dont have the lathe as of yet but I like to do my research before I get something so hopefully I can reflect back on this topic when I get this lathe and I might make a video on building it, I hope it will help others to.
When I get the lathe what should be the first thing to do other than building it?

Would probably be best to lay the parts out where they belong along the lathe bed.
If some parts are dissasembled eg the carriage put parts to gether and photo them someone will let you know what goes with what.
Probably a great idea to learn the name of the main parts of the lathe so if you do have a question people will know what you are talking about.
Hopefully the member you pick it up from will either have the parts grouped to where they are from or will be able to tell you so you can put them together in cardboard boxes.

Would probably be best to lay the parts out where they belong along the lathe bed.
If some parts are dissasembled eg the carriage put parts to gether and photo them someone will let you know what goes with what.
Probably a great idea to learn the name of the main parts of the lathe so if you do have a question people will know what you are talking about.
Hopefully the member you pick it up from will either have the parts grouped to where they are from or will be able to tell you so you can put them together in cardboard boxes.

Hopefully when Me and Dad go pick it up we will probably take a couple of card board boxes and then place all the parts in different boxes and label them
e.g. Box 1 carriage, box 2 gears etc

aaah ok. I hadn't seen that. I just didn't want a young aspiring machinist to get dis-heartened and give it away. Nice to know people still try and help out. I reckon thats a great donation and hope karma is returned

Pete

I know there are so many nice people on this forum i just love it especially to try and help someone out with problems or something else

I reckon thats a great donation and hope karma is returned

I know one of the best things that has ever happened to me

Cooper

Here is a parts manual for the conquest.
Peter

Originally Posted by brittleheart

Here is a parts manual for the conquest.
Peter

Thanks for that i will find that very useful
How much have you done on your lathe building wise?

Edit: With the Head stock do you need to fill that up with oil because there is a little gauge next to the speed chart for oil I think?

Is the concensus that these are good lathes theres one for sale 10 minutes from my house for $900 I'm half tempted.