mkirby Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 I went a bit mad and have splashed out on a new to me lathe That is a Britannia No 5 back geared, gap bed, treadle lathe. Good for wood turning, metal work and metal spinning and i will be driving to the other end of the country to pick it up on the 5th of January. This was the sellers fathers pet restoration project. It looks like the only things to do are to clean up the two tool rests and the chucks. All the hard work is done. I can't wait to get my hands on it. Its 39" long, and i estimate the capacity at between 18-20". It probably weighs about 150lb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raefco Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Very cool item, but I'm wondering if that weight estimate is low by about 2-1/2 or 3 times, maybe 150 kilos, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 cool I would like to build one that I can take to craft sales where ill run it and have people around me watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Very interesting. Keep loose clothing and fingers clear of those open gears and treadle flywheel though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 AWESOME! Enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 Looks like you will get some exercise moving and using that tool. Congrats on the new machine ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 I raised an eyebrow at driving cross country for a lathe then noticed you're in England. Cool find. You'll have to post a video once you have it up and running. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 England isent so bad what people dont realize is just how large america is in comparison england is like50housand miles i think america is like -3.5-3.9 million miles imagine driving across all of Europe england is more like one of theU.S. medium size states Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 England isent so bad what people dont realize is just how large america is in comparison england is like50housand miles i think america is like -3.5-3.9 million miles imagine driving across all of Europe england is more like one of theU.S. medium size states America seems a lot bigger as well because you drive so slow Went from DC down to Orlando once - seemed to take forever. Newbury to St Andrews in comparison was a trip around the corner. Was the lathe an ebay find Mr Kirby? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 We do drive slow but since our license requirements are fast and loose compared to Great Britain it's probably just as well. Over here if you can fog a mirror and read a stop sign, you're qualified to drive. Google maps tells me Newbury to St. Andrews is a 65 mile/105 kilometer trip. I know people who commute that distance, one way, twice a day, five days per week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raefco Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 I average 1100 miles a week, the shop I work out of is 89 miles from home, I work in the shop less then 1/2 my time, if I get more than 100 miles one way I will stay in a hotel till the job is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 We do drive slow but since our license requirements are fast and loose compared to Great Britain it's probably just as well. Over here if you can fog a mirror and read a stop sign, you're qualified to drive. Google maps tells me Newbury to St. Andrews is a 65 mile/105 kilometer trip. I know people who commute that distance, one way, twice a day, five days per week. Newbury, Berkshire is 465 miles from St Andrews. Not sure where goole found the one it gave you When I moved from there to here it took about 7 hours in a van loaded with everything I owned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirby Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 It was an Ebay find, it wasn't the one i was looking for but in that condition i couldn't say no. The lathe is in Egham which is just next to Windsor west london. Its a 6.5hr drive there from the frigid north where i live. Thankfully i have a co pilot so it shouldn't be a bad trip weather permitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I commute from bedroom to kitchen and to the office everyday. All of 20 yards. One of the advantages of working from home. It sounds like a good find you have there. Keep us updated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 America seems a lot bigger as well because you drive so slow Went from DC down to Orlando once - seemed to take forever. Newbury to St Andrews in comparison was a trip around the corner. Was the lathe an ebay find Mr Kirby? Well one is 65.5 miles and the other is 850, so 13 or so times farther. And of course I95 sucks from traffic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Well one is 65.5 miles and the other is 850, so 13 or so times farther. And of course I95 sucks from traffic. Did you read my 2nd post? Try 465 miles not 65. It was an Ebay find, it wasn't the one i was looking for but in that condition i couldn't say no. The lathe is in Egham which is just next to Windsor west london. Its a 6.5hr drive there from the frigid north where i live. Thankfully i have a co pilot so it shouldn't be a bad trip weather permitting. I think you'll need that co-pilot to get it in and out of the van As Terry said, keep us updated on how you get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirby Posted December 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 Ok I'm confirmed for pick up on the 5th. Bonus is that its right next to lego land windsor, may have to take a detour coming back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirby Posted January 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2015 Tomorrow is the day i get my lathe. 5:30 start should have it picked up and loaded in time for a spot of lunch before heading home. sooooo excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 4, 2015 Report Share Posted January 4, 2015 Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirby Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Right here she is. Britannia No 5 Back geared treadle lathe Drive gears and back gear mechanism for detail work (mainly used when metal turning) All the bits and bobs that came with it I got three 3 jaw chucks, one 4 jaw chuck, wood working tool rest, and compound slide rest. I don't know what the wooden thing is but it has the correct slide underneath that clamps it to the beds. Tail stock. The wheel turns but the centre does not advance and the locking lever has been removed. So to get it running i need to 1) Get the tail stock fully working 2) Work out how the drive rope is supposed to be joined into a loop 3) get fitter so i can work the treadle There is a full manual available detailing how all the britannia lathes are to be used, published by the manufacturer, that i can get a copy of so i will order that and get it up and running. Best present to myself i have ever gotten 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 It looks in superb condition. Fantastic buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raefco Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 That is a very cool piece of history, right there. You'll look like an Olympic runner in time if you that much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Man, that looks great, I'd love to see it in action when you get her up and running! Maybe a short video? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I wonder if anyone has ever added a motor to one of those lathes. Congratulations on a great find! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Nice haul Mark! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.