Thread: Lathe moved - finaly- A bit wordy but does have pics

First a little bit of background to this story, which also explains why I haven't posted any project for type posts for a while.

As some of you might know, almost 4 years ago my then wife, after us jointly doing quite well from real estate, lost the plot and got involved in what turned out to be a somewhat dodgy real estate scheme. (think wraps, rent to own, ** Buy Houses etc promoted by a certain individual who spruik's about how much money you can earn with his system) Unbeknown to me she almost bankrupted us, and then left me and the kids for an unemployed bloke who had the same “mindset” as her. As we had been married for 20 years and I trusted her I didn't become aware of the true state of our finances until it was too late. As a result she caused me to lose almost everything I'd worked for for 30 years.
I did manage to keep most of my equipment and tools though for the last 4 years I haven't been able to use the lathe or the mill as I have been renting.
As it’s turned out, in the long run, (not counting the financial ruin) my ex did me a favour by leaving as I have since reconnectedwith someone I was keen on 30 years ago (when we were both young and stupid) and we have subsequently gotten married. I didn't realise married life could be this good.
My new wife is, as our American friends say, a keeper. She is actually very keen to see the lathe and mill running again, In fact she wants to learn how to use them. How good is that?

We have spent the last 6 months or so getting rid of stuff to combine 2 households into one. What a process. Luckily for me one of my boys and his girl moved into a unit about the same time so I was able to give them a lot of surplus furniture.

Anyway a few weekends ago I had reached the point where I was able to move the lathe from the garage under the house up the back yard to the shed that is going to be my workshop. This is not a large shed (6m X 3.5m)but I'm grateful for even that.

The house in on a hill with the backyard being the high side. The shed runs across the block with a 1200mm wide door in the end which makes it interesting to get gear into.

I had already moved the stand for the lathe to the back shed so it was just a case of moving the lathe. I made a couple of flat top trolleys with casters on them and bolted one under each end of the lathe. Lifted the lathe with the engine crane and put it in the trailer which I then backed up the yard to the back shed. I then blocked the wheels of the trailer and jacked the front of it up off the car and slowly winched the lathe out onto a bit of flooring. Turning the lathe through 90 deg as it came out of the trailer. Then through the door and using the engine crane again, up onto the stand. I still have to level it and give it a good clean and oil but with a couple of hours work it will be running again. Yes!!!!!!

Still have to move the mill to the back shed as well but as there is no 3 phase power here and at the moment the finances don't run to a phase converter, there's no rush to get it out of the garage. Just have to keep it well oiled up.

I'm still sorting through stuff and culling. Probably gotten rid of stuff I will regret later but there's only so much you can store in a small place.

regards
bollie7

In the first picture the lathe looked huge.
Good to see your moving along. I like the lathe bed with the swarf holes to the rear.

I am hoping I have wheels this week and will drop by once I have transportation.

Dave

Originally Posted by Dave J

In the first picture the lathe looked huge.

Thats because my lovely lady, who is a dab hand with a camera, took the pics when I was loading it. She made sure she got my ugly mug in almost all of them. I had to crop a fair bit off that one to remove myself.

Originally Posted by Dave J

Good to see your moving along.

thanks. I usually have big plans during the day of what I'm going to do that night in the shed, but by the time "that night" rolls around, I'm pretty stuffed. So atm I only get to do a bit on weekends.

Originally Posted by Dave J

I am hoping I have wheels this week and will drop by once I have transportation.

no worries Dave
bollie7

"I like the lathe bed with the swarf holes to the rear."
Unfortunately they are a mixed blessing as you have to fit a full length plate over them to mount a DRO scale or the crap goes straight into the read head.
(been there, done that)
Regards,
Martin

Looking at the picture it looks like you could just barely keep above them.

Dave

Hi Dave ,
I thought so myself, but wanted to keep some clearance so that I could get to the saddle gib adjustments.
Regards,
Martin

I see.
I know you need/want to keep the scale as close to the axis as possible, but could you have come out away from the bed more?

Dave

Hi bollie7
There's been some sort of mistake, you seem to have reversed past a perfectly good garage to get to the shed. What gives?

You wont know yourself when you have your shed knocked into shape. My sheds a mess but I still miss it when I'm away for the weekend, I've got no idea what I would be like after 4 years! Happy days!!

Stuart

G'Day Dave,
Motor clearance was a bit cosy.
Regards,
MartinDSCN0202.JPG

Hi Bollie7
Damn 4 years is a long time......good to see you back in business. Now go forth and make chips!
I'm sorry to hear of your woes, but glad you are in a better position now.

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Hi bollie7
There's been some sort of mistake, you seem to have reversed past a perfectly good garage to get to the shed. What gives?

You wont know yourself when you have your shed knocked into shape. My sheds a mess but I still miss it when I'm away for the weekend, I've got no idea what I would be like after 4 years! Happy days!!

Stuart

Stuart
Looks can be a bit deceiving. My wife inherited the house from her Dad who built it in the early 1960's. Unfortunatley some of his work could have been a little better but I suppose money would have been pretty tight so he did the best he could at the time. The last ten years of his life he didn't do any maint on the house so its getting a bit run down in some areas. The underhouse garage and storage area has had a bit of a water problem. We are slowly working on that. We've done a temporary fix on the shower to stop it leaking which has made a big difference already and we put in some ag drains across the back yard. The next project is to put a gutter on the back patio. Once we stop the water getting in its still going to take along while for it to dry out fully.
The main reason for not using it as a workshop though is lack of head room. My mill is parked in there atm sitting on blocks and I've had to nod the head down to get it under the door. Even clear of the door and sitting on the floor theres only just enough head room to tram the head in properly under the floor beams. Not enough room to pull the drawbar out. Unfortunatley a small hatch in the floor is not an option.

bollie7

Originally Posted by Ueee

Hi Bollie7
Damn 4 years is a long time......good to see you back in business. Now go forth and make chips!
I'm sorry to hear of your woes, but glad you are in a better position now.

Thanks mate
bollie7

Hi Bollie,

Moving heavy precision machinery is always a bit nerve wracking.. good to see it all went well.

Also it's nice to read a good news story, and that things for you are getting back on track.. nice looking setup you're getting.


Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi Bollie,

Moving heavy precision machinery is always a bit nerve wracking.. good to see it all went well.



Regards
Ray

I found that out when my chippymaster fell over off the pallett it was on, as I was attempting to move it . Only minor damage ensued as far as I can tell

look great a job well done.
have you thought about plastering the walls i found white walls and roof made the my shed a lot brighter