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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Default MARS Lathe - HMAS Diamantina

    Spent a few hours in the Queensland Maritime Museum yesterday and came across this MARS Lathe on board the HMAS Diamantina, the last of the River class frigates.

    The ship is displayed in dry dock at the museum and visitors can inspect quite a few interesting areas of the ship.

    The rest of the museum is well worth visiting as well.

    If there is interest I can post some more pics of the HMAS Diamantina.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    [QUOTE=Big Shed;1870244, the last of the River class frigates.[/QUOTE] No need to swear about the ship!!!!!!

    Certainly be interested in seeing more of it.
    Kryn

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Perth
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    119

    Default

    Thanks for these pics. Looks like the 'Great Scot' model. They were produced at Eagle Farm, by Mars for Rapson & Dutton (amongst others). Did you get a serial #?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    Ballarat
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by markpest View Post
    Thanks for these pics. Looks like the 'Great Scot' model. They were produced at Eagle Farm, by Mars for Rapson & Dutton (amongst others). Did you get a serial #?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Hi Mark,
    this is the plate off that Mars.

    Phil
    IMG_4864.jpg

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    Perth
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    Default

    MARS Lathe - HMAS Diamantina now that's pretty clever! Thanks for the ID. Does anyone know whether there's also a Mars at the Naval Dockyards in Sydney as well? Thanks for that Phil. Mark


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
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    Australia east coast
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    Quote Originally Posted by markpest View Post
    MARS Lathe - HMAS Diamantina now that's pretty clever! Thanks for the ID. Does anyone know whether there's also a Mars at the Naval Dockyards in Sydney as well?
    There isn't one on Cockatoo Island, IIRC. Can't remember about Garden Island, I didn't have totally unrestricted access there.

    I like the Brisbane museum, got photos of most of the stuff there. Cockatoo Island is a lot more interesting from the machinery POV though.

    PDW

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
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    4,779

    Default

    Thanks for the pics big Shed. At least the fitter had a port hole for a view!

    One thing, do I assume it would normally be more securely bolted to the floor? Even in calm seas, after getting the bed level (or should I say flat) last thing you would need out at sea is for the thing to move!

    Are these things leveled when on dry dock or are they "levelled" at sea using test cuts?

    Cheers,

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post

    Are these things leveled when on dry dock or are they "levelled" at sea using test cuts?

    Cheers,

    Simon
    Level them with a collimator or such item and it does not matter what angle it rolls around on when you are doing it.... They do not use gravity as the reference...
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  9. #9
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    Aug 2011
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    Melbourne
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    I see. I suppose people like you and Stuart have those!

    I was so bored today that I relevelled my lathe. I got it to within 0.02mm/M well, for today. Never been able to get it that good before. It seems winter is the time for levelling?
    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  10. #10
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    Jun 2011
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    Thanks for the pics big Shed. At least the fitter had a port hole for a view!
    Nope, it is only where it is for display purposes. In reality it was down in the engineer's store room well below the water line.

    PDW

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    melbourne, laverton
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    1,910

    Default Ships lathes.

    Nice photos Fred.
    ive spent a fair bit of time on ships over the past year or so.
    One of the ships workshops has a very nice colchester bantam.
    the other a equal quality Japanese lathe about the same size . Ill
    find some photos and post soon.
    Aaron

  12. #12
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    Aug 2008
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    near Rockhampton
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    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    I see. I suppose people like you and Stuart have those!
    I do have an old auto collimator, but I am just guessing how on ships they levelled their big machines... Perhaps they never did, perhaps they used wires instead... For me it is just a guess on how or even if they did it...
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Lindfield NSW
    Posts
    1

    Default Mars lathe saved from scrap.

    Quote Originally Posted by .RC. View Post
    I do have an old auto collimator, but I am just guessing how on ships they levelled their big machines... Perhaps they never did, perhaps they used wires instead... For me it is just a guess on how or even if they did it...
    I have ended up with a Mars lathe and have been trying to satisfy my curiosity regarding the company history, so no comments regarding collimation. I just thought someone with similar appreciation for Australia's industrial heritage may be interested to know that it still exists. The lathes.uk site does not answer emails, but his efforts on relating the history of the company remain the best info so far. It appears to have a photo of this model at a Brisbane trade show. The lathe was given to me, but cost $500 to pick up and truck to my shed. I know it weighs about 3.5 tonnes as that is apparently what crane's hydraulic reliefs start squeaking at. All of the vintage electrics was shot, so it
    P3220403.jpghas had wiring, motors and leadscrew bearings redone. It has been a very useful and tractable beast but all chucks and face plated need a crane to lift of course.
    It is a model 1050 Serial number 2.P3220402.jpg Both pics are as delivered. It has been cleaned and repainted so looks quite tidy now.
    Sorry, but second picture insists on landscape orientation rather than portrait.

    cheers,

    Damien

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    Hi Damien and Welcome to a TOP FORUM. That's a very good looking lathe that you've ended up with. We LOVE pics and REPORTs of WIP (Work In Progress).
    If I could ask a huge favour PLEASE, could you change your location from Australia to a Town and State or a Suburb and Major Town please? It makes it easier to help you locate an item or if you require a hand with something, no point in saying that you can get an item in Sydney if you're in Perth.
    Thanks
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Rockhampton, QLD
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    454

    Default

    Welcome to the forum Damien.

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