"Gunner Asch" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 12:03:37 -0800, "Harold and Susan Vordos"
wrote:


"Andrew H. Wakefield" wrote in message
.. .
snip-------
Any further words of wisdom before I go to look at the lathe will be
most
appreciated!

Andy



" He said that the only thing that was not quite
right on the lathe is that the carriage crank bushing is worn and the
crank
is consequently "floppy" -- but it still works."

That, to me, would be a sign of a machine that has been ridden hard and
put
away wet. Check the ways for wear, and the cross slide as well. Look
for any gouges, where chips may have ruined the surfaces, and
inconsistent
form of the ways. Keep in mind that if the ways are not good, the
machine, at best, won't be very reliable for anything but rough work.

Harold

I should mention Harold..that My 15x52 clausing had worn crank
bushings, yet the machine is tight, has NO wear on the ways and will
hold very good tolerences. Personally I think the way they built it
lead to premature wear.

Gunner

Certainly a possibility. The crank handles on my Graziano have worn
terribly, but I attribute that to soft steel on soft steel, and no
lubrication. I, long ago, made a new one for the carriage and the cross
slide is overdue. The lathe is in good condition aside from a couple tenths
runout in the spindle.

Frankly, it's hard to judge the condition of a machine without running it.

Harold