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Watchmakers Lathe Chipped Pulleys "Click" to Login or Register 
IHC Life Member
posted October 21, 2009 15:49
In addition to watches, I'm interested in watchmaking machine tools. I've noticed that virtually all the 8MM WW type lathes offered for sale on E-bay have chipped pulleys (regardless of manufacturer).

The pulleys on these lathes must be a composition material. Do the chips result from damage or does the material itself decompose?

Where would one find replacement pulleys? I've never seen them listed on E-bay.
 
Posts: 149 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: September 23, 2009
IHC Life Member
posted October 21, 2009 17:59
IMHO, most of the damage is from improper handling and storage. The material is usually linen-filled phenolic resin ("Micarta") Which is pretty durable stuff. I think a machinist could make a replacement from one of the harder, e.g.,T-6, grades of aluminum, or possibly acetal (Delrin), both of which are easier to find, and cheaper than Micarta in the size needed.
If you have a Levin or Derbyshire, you may be able to get replacements from the factory.

Bob
 
Posts: 218 | Location: Oak Harbor, Washington in the USA | Registered: May 21, 2009
posted October 27, 2009 00:29
I have repaired chips in the pulley on my lathe by building a dam of modeling clay around the chipped area and filling it with enough epoxy to exceed the missing part.There are dyes available to color the epoxy available from Brownells a gunsmith supplier.After it sets up its a simple matter to remove the clay turn the lathe on and carefully match up the profile.You can also undercut the chip to give better purchase to the epoxy
 
Posts: 45 | Location: Warren, Michigan in the USA | Registered: February 27, 2008
IHC Life Member
posted November 20, 2009 09:59
Since starting this thread, I've acquited a beautiful Wolf Jahn 8mm WW lathe (with an intact pulley).

That lathe is quite heavy compared to my Geneva pattern lathes. The shape of all these lathes is such that if they are not mounted, their weight is born by the pulley when laid on their side. The weight of the WW lathe is sufficient to break its composition headstock pulley if the lathe is dropped, even a few inches.

Knowing the scarcity of intact WW headstock pulleys, I'm not assembling my lathe until I've built a display stand to mount it on!

Two things:

One - Does anybody know why these pulleys are made out of composition material? Could it be a safety issue?

Two - It seems to me an enterprizing guy with a small machine shop capability could make replacement metal pulleys. Judging from the E-bay market for 8mm WW lathes (most with damaged pulleys), I'll bet one could sell three or four of them a week directly through Buy-It-Now.
 
Posts: 149 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: September 23, 2009
IHC Life Member
Site Moderator

Picture of Tom Brown
posted November 20, 2009 22:58
Christopher

Would enjoy seeing photos of your lathe, I have also wondered about those pulleys & replacements.

A few years ago I picked up a nice Wolf Jahn compound slide but I have yet to use it, it didn't have a tool holder with it & I haven't found one yet, except I really haven't looked either.

Tom

slide
 
Posts: 5107 | Location: New Mexico in the USA | Registered: January 27, 2007
IHC Life Member
posted November 21, 2009 02:11
Tom, if you'd like to sell that cross slide, I'd love to have it.

I can't transfer photos from my camera to my computer until I re-install some software. I want to learn to take great pictures of watches and watchmaking equipment. That whole project will have to wait until I can get around to it, though.

Meanwhile, I'll just drool over Tom's pictures.
 
Posts: 149 | Location: Southern California in the USA | Registered: September 23, 2009
IHC Life Member
Site Moderator

Picture of Tom Brown
posted November 21, 2009 12:04
Chris

I will drop you a line.

Tom
 
Posts: 5107 | Location: New Mexico in the USA | Registered: January 27, 2007
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