Gunsmithing Help, Rockwell Lathe Model

[loveha]

This is a long shot.

The place I work at has this neglected looking Rockwell lathe. I'm basically the fabricator/welder. What I am not, is a lathe operator. I have messed with it for the past three days and figured out how to have it run side to side and forward and back by itself. I can turn down a piece of round stock and drill a hole in it. Beyond that, fuck it, I'm lost. Nobody else really knows how to run it.

Trying to find a manual so I can do a PM and learn more. But I can't figure out what it is. So anybody have any ideas?

Buck chuck is also way off, but that is for a later discussion. I know how to dial indicate, and adjust it, but after an hour I gave up.

 

[1moaoff]

The guys at Practical Machinist.com
Would be the best sorce.

 

[loveha]

Okay, thanks!

 

[colchester]

It Is a ROCKWELL 25-209 14x42 engine lathe. That is an adjust tru chuck should be fairly simply to get it trued up. Check to see if the speeds will change as it should, the drive assembly on these can be temperamental

 

[loveha]

Thanks!

As far as the chuck, I can't get it to adjust far enough. The best I can get is 18 thousandth or so. That is loosening up the 6 outside face screws enough to be just barely snug, then loosening screws 1-4 and tightening the ones I need to true it up.

 

[carlsbad]

A lathe that size can mangle your arm or even kill you in a skinny minute. If you're new to lathe operations, read up on lathe safety before you do any more work on it.

 

[loveha]

Believe me, I have the utmost respect for it, just like electricity and anhydrous ammonia. Two other things I get to play with. I've seen lathe accident videos before. I like my arms, and my face the way they are. Intact. Another reason why I was looking for a manual on it.

 

[nikonNUT]

Looks like a solid piece of a equipment. Buck chucks can be a PITA. Have a good 4-jaw laying around you can swap in? Anyways... My instructor gave us this link as prerequisite to actually going near a lathe in the shop... Might help?

http://meen282.et.byu.edu/sites/meen282.et.byu.edu/files/LabResources/Procedures/Basic_Lathe_Manual2.pdf

And here is a 1958 Rockwell lathe manual...

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/698/20128.pdf

 

[Mordamer]

That's a pretty nice lathe. You have a lot of learning to do, but for a hobby guy that would be an awesome starter lathe. It visually appears to be in very good condition. Good luck!

 

[GH41]

The old guy who taught me 45 years ago had a couple of rule that breaking wouldn't be forgiven. Never take your hand off of the chuck key if it is in the chuck and no loose clothing or long hair.