In article ,
Paul wrote:

Joseph Gwinn wrote:
I'm going to look at a Clausing 5914 being sold by a welding shop that
is closing at yearend, and I'm looking for a list of issues to be aware
of. The seller is an electrician and makes no claim to be a machinist,
and isn't able to answer my questions.

What I do know: 13" by 40", 208 volts 3 phase, motor HP unknown. Lots
of accessories are included, but the seller does not know their names or
functions.


I also have some more general questions.

1. Does or can the 5914 come with a camlock spindle? (The seller said
it was both camlock and threaded; he may have been thinking of the 5C
collets showing in the photo.) Or did people adapt threaded spindles
somehow? If yes, how well does it work?

2. It is claimed that this 5914 is varispeed. Is this possible? I
suppose someone could have modified the machine.

3. How well does the varispeed work, and what are its failure modes?

4. I think that the machine is under power, so I'll be able to listen
to bearings. What else should I look for in the headstock?

5. I'll look at the ways for wear. The claim is that condition is
good, but who knows what that means.

6. What is the footprint and weight of this machine?

7. What things usually break?

8. What have I missed?


Thanks,

Joe Gwinn

I have a 5904, same as a 5914 but shorter, which was well used when I
got it. These machines typically have an L-00 spindle, which is
relatively easy to find chucks, etc. for. I never heard of one with a
camlock spindle, but some of these lathes might have threaded spindles.
Ways are hardened so hopefully they won't be worn. These are variable
speed, using a hydraulically actuated variable cone pulley arrangement.
The drive is probably the weakest link, having plastic sleeve bushings
that wear and if not repaired cause wear to other drive components that
can run into some money to fix. Motors were 2hp, at least mine was.
Mine also had a sheared key on the backgear shaft that ended up running
about $200 in parts to fix. Parts are still available from Clausing for
these machines, maybe not the major castings but most other parts. Get
the serial number, located near the front V way at the tailstock end of
the bed and Clausing can sell you a manual for that particular lathe,
and tell you when it was made.

These are nice machines, superior to South Bends etc. Parts are
available and quite a few were made so accessories such as steadies and
followers can be had. Figure weight to be in the 1000 to 1100 LB range,
I hauled mine in the back of my pickup, unloading it with a chainfall
and moving it around in the shop with an engine hoist.

I just finished converting mine to a VFD setup, my varidrive, while
having a few annoying issues still worked well enough but then a VFD
presented itself so I changed it over.

If the one you are looking at isn't rusty and beat all to hell you'll be
happy with it, if it has a collet closer grab that as well.

That's all good to know. I was worried that the ways might be beat, but
if they are hardened, it's unlikely.

I forgot the most important question - what's a fair price?

Thanks,

Joe Gwinn