Lathe Rebuild Part 1 - S02E01

It's big and heavy, but how much of that is rust? Or eggs? Today we start a total refurbishment of a 1960's era Colchester Bantam Lathe.
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[@montyzumazoom1337]

I did my apprenticeship in a company on the south coast of England where we manufactured parts for Colchester Lathes as a sub contractor from 1976 to 1981. We made complete saddle gearboxes, Compound and Top slides, and Tailstocks. It was a good indentured apprenticeship over 4 years. My father came along to the company to sign the forms showing his commitment to me learning the trade (as was the custom in the old days). From milling the iron castings, to radial drilling, horizontal boring and multi head special purpose boring machines. To Wickman single spindle bar fed lathes, copy lathes, capstan lathes and cylindrical grinders. To Gearcutting, horizontal and vertical broaching, and induction hardening and a spell in the inspection department! I ran the gear cutting, broaching, drilling and induction hardening shop at the age of 19 for 2 years until the company's demise and closure.

[@garethjones7182]

'The World turns on Colchester', as it says on the side of my old Student

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

@@garethjones7182 "It all starts with Exide", was the catch phrase of the Exide battery company.

[@harlech2]

Hey Monty... thanks to you and all the other people that helped turn out these fantastic old lathes and machine tools!!

[@BuffaloBillsSon]

Hi guys coming back to this video 6 years after first watching! Loved this! You guys were one of the first tool repair/rebuild channels I watched. Good job!

[@douglassmith2055]

That lathe will thank you every time you use it, for saving it from the scrap dealer where many machines sadly end up. Good on you guys for having the passion to restore it. Those HARDENED bed ways likely held up well.

[@enderlord5412]

I like seeing these restoration vids. There's something very special about older kinda vintage machines that last forever that's so pleasing and satisfying

[@Reboot153]

I work as a PC Tech and I've torn down and rebuilt computers, laptops, tablets, heck I even built my wife her first iPhone from parts that I got off of eBay. Watching this video I would be terrified to try taking something like this apart and then put it back together again. Kudos to you for the start of an amazing restoration job! Cant wait to see how this all turns out! P.S. Absolutely _love_ the background music you were playing. it seems like so many people want to use some dub-step bass line these days. It was refreshing to hear something that was actually elegant while watching the video. Thank you!

[@dwdw4499]

Amazing work on this restoration inside the gearbox was a huge surprise to me. Now your music for this restoration couldn't have been more spot on, giving the feeling it's going to come back to life. You nail this, way beyond my level of knowledge. Great Job!

[@nlo114]

I bought my 1974 ex-school Bantam 800 for £900 from flea-bay. Cleaned it, inspected and adjusted everything. Drain, clean and new oil in both gearboxes, new motor belt fit, align pulleys, adjust brake switches, align tailstock for true drilling. Good for another 40 years! I run a "Transwave" 1 to 3 phase converter.

[@rc166honda]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to do it very professional. Colchester lathes were a quality piece of kit, beautifully made the cast iron beds used to be left outside for six months to season prior to machining! I have used Colchester lathes throughout my career, you wont be disappointed, well done indeed.

[@southofheaven123]

Learnt to turn on a Bantam in a farm workshop, the moment when you popped the top and it was all clean inside was magic!

[@Derkenblosh2]

Getting an old Lathe next week... This will be me ♥️

[@formerblueberet5621]

I have been machinery technician for over 45 years that was a nice save Colchester is a very nice lathe my friend has one that is probably 60 + years old still works like a charm certain things that Brits made were bulletproof you have one sitting right there !

[@StandWithRussia]

Makes me want to cry seeing this beautiful thing in that shape.

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Like the piano music, makes one feel part of the journey of resurecting this old machine. I have a hundred plus year old Drummond lathe that I will be restoring soon and use for small jobs. Its the small bench top model and your video gives me inspiration and confidence in a rust encrusted, old piece of machinery. Thumbs up!

[@1bmwrider]

I love the music and the camera work. One of the best nine minutes of my life I would go three phase if you can.

[@duicenasty1078]

Just looking at a lathe been sat for 18 years in an open barn. Looks in better shape than yours was. This vid has given me inspiration to get it.

[@edwardtagg]

Really appreciate the beautiful music... Shows you guys have nice souls

[@Saki630]

I have no idea how I got here, and I have no machining experience nor am I a shop guy, but as a studying engineer I enjoy seeing all that stuff taken apart and cleaned out!

[@ixamraxi]

Seeing this in my subscription box made me happy, awesome project, can't wait to see more!

[@TheFeshy]

I think I got second-hand exhaustion from watching all that work so far! This is pretty amazing.

[@theplanetpete8592]

I'm not a machinist but loved episode 1. Now I'm in for the series.

[@Mekratrig]

Not only a fascinating rebuild & restore project, someone picked a terrific background music numbar for it. Glad the gods of KZbin suggested videos brought it up. Looking forward to the full series.

[@PhysicsAnonymous]

haha, thanks Mekratrig. at least someone appreciates the music =)

[@rustyshakelford4232]

Every once in a very great while, the KZbin algorithm throws some solid gold in my suggested videos. They threw me Fort Knox with this one. Liked and subscribed, this is fascinating.

[@TheKernelCollective]

Oh man, I'd kill for a project like that! Jealous! Keep them coming!

[@jondory8134]

Right... I have an 12" Atlas that needs love. I'm inspired now. I have to say watching that old beast get "born again" brought a tear to my eye...

[@masu912]

Togli ruggine com laser

[@user-fl1jv9cv7z]

KEEP IT CLASSICAL I always enjoy listening to classical tunes. 100% of the time is agreeable to me as well

[@daveh777]

Very inspirational video! My very first metal lathe was given to me by my Grandpa, but he sent it via my uncle, and it was just a box of parts, so I had to go to libraries and try to ask anyone I considered an "Old Timer" for advice. There was internet, but not for me, and things like KZbin and Vintage Machinery websites certainly did not exist. Subscribed for sure! I loved it when you opened the gearbox cover! I'm sure you'll get her running like new. Dave

[@shaunrish9516]

I have the Colchester Master , these Lathes are made to last a lifetime and are high quality when i got mine which is probably 1960 or something i could drill a hole in a pin head before even setting it up

[@tayred81]

like when old stuffs not get trough away. beeing taking care off. good job lads!

[@rajaechouradi3872]

Fredrik Carlsson gcchjohh'jhj

[@SeanHodgins]

What a project! Will be awesome when its done.

[@GearScar]

I thought at first glance that thing looked like scrap, but when you pulled that cover off the top and showed em clean oiled up gears in perfect shape I was excited for you!

[@gavbag1234]

I love finding channels like this and watching their subs skyrocket. In at 20k, and I'll watch that hit 1 mill oneday if you keep pushing your production quality like this. The moving timelapses were beautiful.

[@stevedoubleu99B]

Even the cat could see the potential of this project. The gearbox reveal was extremely satisfying!

[@evildrome]

I have one the same age. Its my main machine in my workshop. Came out of a school so its in better condition than the one in the video. Nice to see it being restored and not thrown away.

[@robertpartsmade5832]

Hi from the UK , just found this vid , excellent project 3 phase is the way fwd ! Just finished an overhaul on my Colchester Bantam which I got for free , saved it from the crusher , yours will be an epic machine tool when it's finished Cheers PARTSMADE

[@PhysicsAnonymous]

That warms the heart to hear Robert. cant wait to actually start making some chips!

[@RedBeardOps]

Heck yeah man... That's a ton of work right there! I just finished my restoration too, but it wasn't quite as filthy as yours!

[@benjaminshiflett8066]

I just discovered your channel, as I just bought an old atlas lathe. Great job on the restoration! You definitely inspired me to do the same with mine. All though it was not in nearly as bad of shape as yours.

[@RedBeardOps]

@@benjaminshiflett8066 Awesome! Good luck with yours!

[@regfenster]

That old lathe is a long way from home, did my apprentice on Colchester Lathes, lovely machines.

[@75Bird455]

Subscribed because I love a good lathe rebuild. I recently saved a 6000 lb. Holbrook lathe from the scrappers torch and went through much the same as you are. One suggestion for removing rust. Straight white vinegar works wonders on steel (and it won't etch like evap-o-rust will). Just make sure you degrease the part before soaking. Use a small brush to clean away the black goop that forms on the surface during the soak. Wash with soap and water afterwards followed by drying and oiling. I took a chunk of rust vaguely shaped like an 8" 3 jaw chuck and made it look nice again. Good luck on your project!

[@mJlReplicanT001]

Ooohhhh whaaaaa ?!? The perfect find , how do people get so lucky 🍀. Awesome stuff guys !!! The parts not covered looked like they were in better condition than the exposed sections 🧐

[@WineScrounger]

That’s a lovely little lathe. So worth the effort.

[@brandonsamson6278]

Time lapse panning was a very nice touch. I’d personally go with a 3 phase motor, especially if you will end up getting a VFD anyway.

[@josephcrowley7635]

Beautiful work! They don't make them like hey used to

[@1pcfred]

They don't, but some still do. A lathe not made in the far east does tend to cost about what a new car might these days.

[@matthewsykes4814]

Nice little Bantam..... very nice

[@Creativity_Garage]

I enjoy watching this video .. I bought old lathe and do the same job now

[@upsidedownfarmer3513]

Three phase with a vfd for speed control(so many benefits) and it gives you three phase power output with single phase input. You can find used motors cheap on eBay and a vfd for a 5 hp motor should do the trick for 2 hp motor(usually double the drive for the motor size if you are going to convert single to three phase). You might want to check out the practical machinist forum as there is a ton of knowledge on the subject over there.

[@PhysicsAnonymous]

Thanks Kirk, i am thinking VFD is a good way to go, I'm just not sure i need the cool features with it having the gear box and all. it might depend on how much i can find a motor for.

[@upsidedownfarmer3513]

Hmm, let me do some digging in my stash and see if maybe we can come up with something. I think I might have a 2 hp motor I can donate(have to check, it may be a 1.5 hp).

[@PhysicsAnonymous]

that would be totally bad ass of you!

[@intjonmiller]

Physics Anonymous Second best option is a DC treadmill motor. A lathe of that size doesn't need a ton of power, so a treadmill that can keep a belt running under a 250 pound human is plenty. With a PWM speed controller you get most of the benefits of the VFD and a 3 phase. And I find at least a couple free treadmills per year without even looking for them. Two have had the venerated MC-60 controller (typical in Icon-made treadmills).

[@omzig18]

I use cloths dryers motors for a few things around the shop they are cheap and easy to get but run on 240v

[@duncangrainger3236]

Really lucked out on that gear box! Looks almost brand new! Also, excellent knolling towards the end there. Tom Sachs an co. would be proud.

[@kingofcastlechaos]

I actually clapped at 03:35......and resumed breathing. Nice job.

[@machiningbasics1729]

Wow a Colchester bantam ! Use British made some great lathes ! There's on of those in my shed lol !

[@Micscience]

I thought Colchester was an American lathe?

[@andrewwilson8317]

Soda blasting makes a great job of cleaning the parts with no risk of any damage. Simply washes away.

[@charistiaanharmse301]

lovely little lathe!

[@kjamison5951]

I just love the cat! “What’s this in the garage?” “Must look at the back of it.” They are so nosey! And such a great colour!

[@DARIVSARCHITECTVS]

I'm in the middle of cleaning and restoring a South Bend 6" lathe. it was PACKED with sawdust and metal chips in the gearbox. It will run like a top when completed. A fresh coat of enamel paint will make it shine like new. The spindle, ways, gears, motor, and bearings are all good. It needs a reversible switch though, and a nice chip pan for the bottom would be nice.

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

That is amazing timelapse photography !!! I appreciate how painstaking it was to move the camera while you were cleaning and disassembling in time lapse so smoothly.

[@beepbeepcoyote]

Reminiscing about what this season is all about. This episode had me hit subscribe and the bell.

[@billcodey1430]

I love the timelapse slider shots. Awesome.

[@rafihussain]

Beautiful job

[@ChicoMillion]

I can't believe the progress from what you started with, awesome job!

[@codprawn]

I love how popular British lathes are in the USA. Great way to clean up the leadscrew - a plastic pipe full of acid - good thinking!

[@ab-shop]

Very Very nice video !!! Thank you!!

[@DoorknobHead]

Exclamation-Point, Exclamation-Point, Exclamation-Point. That was great fun from this end.

[@donaldasayers]

One of the best lathes ever.

[@samrodian919]

Donald Sayers if you think that's good you should see a Colchester Major. The one that was in my engineering college back in the Eighties had a bed about 8 feet long and could turn about seven feet between centres. It was an awesome beast!!

[@ridetheapex]

: 23 I had that exact car. I miss it every day. I loved that thing so much. 99vr4 ftw!

[@VENUEATHENS]

Beautiful work you guys! I really enjoyed watching the care you took to bring this back to life..

[@tattoos1988]

The old Colchester lathes were built to last amazing machines sad to see this one looking worst for wear can’t wait for the finished product I’m a new subscriber and I’m working my way through lol the Colchester lathes are great for all kinds of work

[@courierdog1941]

Colchester even provides refurbish work on their lathes, and yes they still have parts. As I said finding a Colchester Lathe is like finding a diamond on the beach. If the Ways are in reasonable shape under all the rust this can be rebuilt to like new specifications as these lathes were designed to be repaired and restored to working condition.

[@ianmoone2359]

Dry Ice bead blasting would remove all that rust without wearing away the way beds and creating issues down the track.

[@mykline1]

Nice job so far.

[@hawkie333]

A very worthy restoration! I've been through many a lathe and would be very happy with a find like that. Parts may be harder to find as compared to a SBL, but it looks pretty complete.

[@mcorrade]

that is one sweet find. The gearbox was amazing looking. You got yourself a great deal!!!! And it even looked fun restoring it :)

[@Tapperje16]

Love the cat that is cheking in to see if the lathe is any good :P, and thanks for the amazing work you are doing and giving old sturdy things a new life!

[@PhysicsAnonymous]

Thanks Dude! yeah i think the cat knew about as much as i did about lathes at the time.

[@russellnixon9981]

Nicely produced video, love the music. Hope fully your main bearings are in good shape as thy can be pretty expensive. a manual can be down loaded and parts are available. But I am referring to the UK.

[@WatchWesWork]

Can you blur out the vise grips, channel locks, screwdriver, and claw hammer action? I'm trying to keep my dinner down.

[@atothezeezee]

Wes Johnson Because it was being treated so well before these guys got to it.

[@amnesiacmyx]

How do you feel about some hot 'wearing gloves using the drill press' action?

[@terryfrost5911]

Wes Johnson. Y

[@JohnSmith-xl9bo]

Button it...thats the best part Dude

[@zoesdada8923]

Wes Johnson thank you. I almost watched this.

[@socratesshawn9959]

Use electrolysis for the rust removal. It might seem a bit complicated, but it is super simple and does an amazing job. I was astonished with how good my tools came out

[@patrickfuller2423]

OK... 5 seconds in you said " P B Blaster" and I instantly subscribed. I'm gonna go back and watch the rest of this one.

[@Luckingsworth]

Really happy I got this in my recommended.

[@AP9311]

Bruh, that's awesome video editing, video moves, I've been wanting a lathe just like that, now with rusted one, it makes you feel satisfied getting it up top glory!! That's awesome job getting it done! You earned a subscriber!

[@kimfucku8074]

Wow, did work years ago on a Colchester lathe! Great project!

[@Midzuri]

Упорство и труд - всё перетрут !

[@baldfatgit1]

One of the best vids i have seen in a very long time i subbed i watched my coffee went cold i am now watching pt2 with a fresh coffee. Outstanding TV quality entertainment :)

[@AffordBindEquipment]

love the music...

[@lowelllogerwell5146]

I am kind of on the other side of the fence - I have a treadmill motor waiting for a lathe like this! I want to use the motor because it is 2.5 HP and already comes with a speed control, even if it is indicated in miles per hour!!! Best of luck with this lathe!

[@3rdaxis649]

Been down this road many times. Great score.

[@TimoBirnschein]

This is a beauty! What a find!

[@Stephen1455]

Brilliant clean up!!!!

[@luketorpedo]

I've always avoided a rusted up Lathe any time I've had a look for one, thinking it'd be beyond saving. Sure, we haven't seen if this'll be a nightmare of backlash, chatter and tolerances when it's put back together yet, but you're making me start to think these old rust mite bitten lathes might just be worth it.

[@ГаражКастом]

Молодцы парни! Отличный станок. Монтаж супер.

[@jeanpaulbarthier4330]

hard work and good restoration of this machine

[@TheFurriestOne]

The classical is at once both fitting (dealing with a finely-crafted machine tool) and a stark contrast to how grimy it is! Damn, but the paint held up surprisingly well!

[@connorbunch3577]

Great production quality! You got all the camera angles right and the time lapses look good.

[@robstirling3173]

Only surface rust! Nice little British built 1960's lathe. Don't take the headstock off the bed!

[@lorenzwiedemar1837]

Well @3:37 there's only one word to say... Colchester! These lathes are an investment to pass on from generation to generation

[@thejfresh09]

I find it weird that I had the urge to rewatch this video today of all days.

[@islamn799]

Hey man it's a excellent lathe machine. thanks.

[@jayfromtexas6718]

Great video. I have a Logan that I need to go through.

[@asheshshrestha]

Great video

[@mickmac8300]

I have cleaned up a lot of machines like this the best for the ways is not abrasives as such. You will be surprised how easy and quick. Use phosphoric acid and a green scotch brite pad. Gently rub on the cast iron, literally before your eyes stuff like the original surface scraping reappears. I would never use or have needed to use power tools or sanding type abrasives on machine shop tools. Trust me im a retired maitenance fitter. Ive done this my whole life. 3 phase motor with inverter. Gives more speed options plus the power of 3 phase on single phase domestic wall socket.

[@chrisjones6165]

Subscribed. Great work I picked up an old delta Rockwell 7v bandsaw in similar condition but have not done this thorough of a restore amazing job

[@-Crash-Nebula--]

that satisfaction. I'm happy for you

[@colt4667]

At 0:38 even the cat thinks it looks like a boat anchor.

[@marlonreyes3167]

I remember when i worked at a machine shop i had to take my lathe apart every day right before going home to clean it up oil it up ready for the next day

[@rusticagenerica]

Waou !! really ??

[@user-vd1cz8hd4j]

Красота! Great equipment for great things in 60s

[@rogerscottcathey]

Good save.