Shipping a Colchester Student lathe by sea - Pakistan to UK

[@rexbuck4046]

A worthy effort and satisfying story. As all things change in time and memories sadly lost, I suggest you machine an aluminum cylinder of an appropriate size, impervious to the elements, and attach it to the lathe in an out of the way location. Insert into the cylinder a transcript of what you shared with us. Include, if you don't need them for other purposes, the original of the shipping documents. You could also include maps of Pakistan and the UK denoting the locations where the lathe served. You have a machine that is a world traveler, touched by many hands. A history and provenance well worth preserving. Machining and mounting the cylinder would be an interesting video as well. Best wishes.

[@Workshopfriend]

Thanks, Rex, for your interesting thoughts. I hadn't looked at it that way. I did sell my first lathe to someone who was collecting early Drummond lathes but that was an older machine. It is true that is a well travelled machine and has almost completed full circle to somewhere near where it was originally made. I have all the paperwork and could easily make the time capsule. A possible project!

[@carlwilson1772]

That was an excellent film. I can see why it made sense to ship the lathe to the UK. It is a fine example. Good work on the positioning and reassembly. The hatch idea is ingenious. You have many good ideas for coping in a small workshop space.

[@Workshopfriend]

Thanks, Carl. Glad my ramblings made some sense! Hope your family situation is improving and you will be able to continue your projects once higher priorities allow.

[@carlwilson1772]

@@Workshopfriend Thank you for your kind words Clive. Just last week my wife had the last session of radiotherapy. She is doing well now. Happier times ahead. It has been quite a year thus far!

[@Workshopfriend]

Glad to hear!

[@johnjohnson764]

Hi there, Very good - impressive planning and execution of shipment! I was in India for a while and was impressed by the number of old British machines still being used - as well as the skill of the users. Also the ability to paddle in large amounts of swarf whilst wearing sandals and weld without much protective equipment. Very clever, able people. JJ

[@Workshopfriend]

Thanks, John. Yes, likewise in Pakistan - many old British machines and sometimes a challenging work environment.

[@Rustinox]

I would say "that was quite a journey" Good thing it arrived in good condition.

[@Workshopfriend]

Thank you! Yes, from the outset it seemed a bit daunting but broken down into steps it wasn't so difficult.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Hi Clive. It’s been a long wait, but so worthwhile both for you and your viewers. I “exported” to Poland in 2019 a “top heavy” type casting machine weighing around 700 kilos, and can attest to how stressful it was designing and making a packing crate strong enough and sufficiently versatile to contain numerous ancillary components. Thankfully my friend received everything intact. This was a most interesting video which demonstrates perfectly your attention to detail. Adding the hatch to your wall was simply inspired. 👏👏👍😀

[@Workshopfriend]

Thank you, Andrew. It is interesting you had a similar experience exporting a top heavy machine. I assume it was one of your type setting/ printing machinery.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

@@Workshopfriend It was indeed. A Monotype Composition Caster. I was downsizing and donated it to a working printing museum in Poland run by a friend of mine. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Then reality struck, how to get it from Berkshire to Poland. After a few weeks of struggling I managed to place the caster onto a pallet and built a strong wooden crate around it. Frustratingly it was wider than the pallet so I had to pay for a double pallet. Never again 🥴😂

[@Workshopfriend]

I can appreciate just how complicated that must have been!

[@EitriBrokkr]

This is such a wholesome channel. I really enjoy your videos

[@Workshopfriend]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@seamusbolton215]

Great to see you have your Student available to use and looking forward to your future projects I have a Mk2 myself of similar age, 3 Jaw,4 Jaw and Burned collet set, quick change tool post, etc I am afraid however I have lost a little interest after finally collecting all the necessary accessories and it has been sitting unused for over a year now. You might just be the inspiration I need !! Thank you for all your efforts making these videos and best regards form Ireland

[@Workshopfriend]

Thanks, Seamus. I hope that you will feel inspired to use your Mk 2 once again!

[@PaulGibson-f7x]

I live in Colchester, sadly the lathe company is no more but the estate built on the site is named after lathes with a mascot lathe in the middle of mascot Square. Great film too

[@Workshopfriend]

Yes, sad to think that lathes are no longer made there. There is a good Colchester promotional video on YT from the heyday. Includes the manufacture of recognisable parts of this machine.

[@kafie1980]

I am happy it made its way to you in the UK in great shape. I have been through the same journey several times moving my tools and machines overseas. Watching your video reminded me of my past experiences. For me the challenge was always not having enough help at the other end in a new location. I have been through the hassles with pickup delays, customs delays, broken crates, rewiring the power plugs, positioning the workshop etc etc. Fun fact, the final move for me when I retire will be probably just north of the country where your Colchester just came from 😂.

[@Workshopfriend]

Thank you for your thoughts and sharing your own experiences. It sounds as if by comparison mine was a positive experience! Ah yes, you mentioned before your retirement plans. I think I can guess the country and can probably envisage the situation with the pros as well as the cons of setting up a workshop there.

[@HaxbyShed]

Very interesting to see the Pakistan end of the operation Clive. I imagine it will take some time to adjust to the UK. We've lived overseas a couple of times and each time it took at least 5 years to fully resettle because life was so different. Like the hole in the wall. Many ways to solve a problem. Cheers [post script, watching this on my TV, as i mostly do, and no link pops up?]

[@Workshopfriend]

Thanks, Paul. Yes, it is taking time to adjust though I still get to travel to the region. I tried to avoid the hole in the wall! Strange that the links didn't show up on TV. I checked that they are there.

[@aaronhogan2371]

Thank you for your detailed and well paced vid. I have been courting the purchase of a Colchester Bantam from an old chap here in Melbourne Australia although he's still not quite ready to part with it. The lathe is ex-Trade school and in pristine condition although perhaps not quite as spotless as your own. It is in a garage at the bottom of a long sloped driveway and I it will likely need to be similarly disassembled to extricate it. Do you have a resource for the assembly /disassembly that you could point me to? Also, I have heard the Bantam and the Student are very similar but I've not been informed of the specific differences if you or another viewer would care to enlighten me.

[@Workshopfriend]

Thank you, Aaron, for your feedback. You may not need to dismantle it. The Bantam, though robust for its size, is a bit smaller than the Student - nominally 5in centre height. I haven't had the chance to view a Bantam but from what I see in photos it seems to have some features in common with the Student. I was able to partially dismantle my Student for removal down several flights of stairs without a manual so it is fairly intuitive. Removal of the saddle and apron require that the leadscrew and feed shaft be withdrawn first. I have a manual and parts catalogue for the Student Mk1.5 in pdf format which I can send you by e.mail if you write to [e-mail] You could purchase a manual for the Bantam from lathes.co.uk Their website also has some useful info on the Bantam. For some details of the Student assembly see one of my early videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2aQmYVjiLx-bpY

[@constantinehatzis2807]

Great to see you've got the student back in a happy state. I guess it's a well travelled machine? I imagine you bought it in Pakistan, but was born in Colchester. Interesting how you've put your machine in exactly the same place as I have mine in my garage. I haven't cut a hole in the wall though....but I do need to access the motor as my drive belts aren't matched very well, and cause a vibration, I will verify this by removing one belt to see if the vibration goes? I've made a toe jack so I can easily lift the lathe onto a bar or steel plate and slide it out.

[@Workshopfriend]

Yes it is well travelled; this is the second time I have shifted it. The first time we had to take it down 3 flights of stairs. It is now certainly much closer to its place of origin. I considered placing it on a surface I could slide it on but didn't want to keep upsetting the levelling (my floor is all over the place). On balance perhaps there isn't much to choose between the two.

[@stanstevens3783]

Nice job I live by the sea and if away for extended periods oil the machined surfaces and cover with plastic kitchen wrap, seems to be the best for me

[@Workshopfriend]

Thank you! I might consider the plastic too. Last winter there were big fluctuations in temperature which led to condensation.

[@TheAyrCaveShop]

The best example of how to protect a machine tool for shipping...well done. I've had very good results with WD40 as a rust protectant, if you build up several layers over a few days. That's a very nice lathe 👍worth the effort !

[@Workshopfriend]

Thank you for your feedback. I didn't know that the rust inhibiting benefits of WD40 builds up with application. I certainly was pleased with the result.

[@donwright3427]

It's a round top. Much more sturdy than the flat top version. Excellent machines.

[@Workshopfriend]

I didn't know that there was a substantial difference in the construction. I am certainly happy with the round head model.

[@machiningbasics1729]

I will post your over arm pattern back very soon !! Apologies amongst workshop moves I’ve not done a lot on my little AC miller . I hope you are planning on shipping your home made lathe back too.

[@Workshopfriend]

Thanks. No rush. When it is convenient. It takes time to move a workshop. Sadly I couldn't ship that too and don't have enough space here for it. If I could find a young local person interested I would gladly offer it to them free.

[@willemvantsant5105]

Nice to have her home without damage. I would have had some sleep less nights. Don't understand why they shipped it East to Spore and West back to UK although Spore is the central hub and used a different ship for transport. Rethinking it being 7 weeks at sea it went via the Pacific, Panama canal and across the Atlantic?

[@Workshopfriend]

Yes indeed, Willem! Singapore was on one of the labels attached to the box so I assumed it went there. It must have hung around in ports for a while en route.

[@eliotmansfield]

got the exact same lathe - inherited from my late father

[@Workshopfriend]

You are fortunate. Hope you enjoy using it. (My previous responses didn't seem to get posted)

[@stephengibbs4372]

Hi I also have one identical in New Zealand it’s ex government form electricity department and also came with a near new set of Colchester collet chucks. I love the round top Colchester.

[@Workshopfriend]

Good find with the collet chuck!

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Can you explain the reason for this massive time and expense to get a machine that is common in the uk ?

[@Workshopfriend]

I attempted to answer this question in the last section of the video which might help explain my particular circumstances. Also, having recently purchased a secondhand milling machine in the UK I know how much collection/delivery costs within the UK itself.

[@agentcovert]

That VFD will destroy the bearings thru frosting and then fluting from the stray power about 70v that builds up on the motor shaft dozens of times per second then finds earth thru the bearings..the motor shaft can be earthed to prevent this..a common motor brush to earth against the rotating shaft..they do make products to fix this issue..best bet is to set up a rotary phase converter to change 1phase to 3phase electric..then you are open to use more industrial machines having a master 3 phase source that each machine can use..as its a one man shop etc..

[@Workshopfriend]

Thank you for pointing this out. I didn't think of the bearings! I assume this is more of an issue with these cheaper VFDs. I will investigate how I can add a brush to my lathe, mill and shaper motor shafts. My other items have higher end VFDs. I would prefer not to go for the rotary inverter option because I have already invested in separate VFDs and like the speed and torque control. This is a matter I intend to investigate.

[@agentcovert]

​@@Workshopfriendthe technicians who work on larger Hvac systems in large buildings can talk about this issue.. they make clamp on rings that earth the motor shafts..all VFDS probably do this and I'd bet more so on the cheaper units..they also make ceramic ball bearings to fix this problem too.. it can be as simple as laying a bare copper wire on the shaft to earth..the heavy damage happens around 600 to 700hrs of use..so many guys at a home workshop never see this happen..

[@andrewallen9993]

Why did you have to pay import duty and vat for a machine that originated in the UK?

[@Workshopfriend]

I wondered if that would be the case, but it seems not. The only option available to me was based on the most recent purchase price. Perhaps someone else knows otherwise(?).

[@andrewallen9993]

@@Workshopfriend VAT on the transport costs, yes. Import duty and VAT on something made in the UK and BEFORE VAT, surely not.

[@Workshopfriend]

I was hoping to avoid all taxes on the basis that I was bringing personal items to the UK. A grace period of one year is alllowed but my shipment fell outside this period. My appeal failed. I didn't have time or energy to pursue things further.

[@engfab456]

I have schaublin 125 b. Would you like to buy it.

[@Workshopfriend]

Thanks for mentioning this. Sadly, I don't have space or time just now. Perhaps someone else on this thread is interested!

[@engfab456]

@@Workshopfriend you are welcome.

[@frogandspanner]

Where in Pakistan did it come from? It's many years since I was last in Pakistan - visiting the University of Lahore, in the days before the Chinese monstrosity was installed over the GT road.

[@Workshopfriend]

Interesting to know your connection with Lahore. I purchased this from Murree but shipped it from S Punjab.

[@frogandspanner]

@@Workshopfriend When I was out there (British Council/ODA work) there was a Norton International 500 motorcycle that was for sale dirt cheap, and I almost bought it, but the prospect of arranging shipping was too daunting.

[@MK-dr2eq]

A cordless drill would be handy.😉

[@Workshopfriend]

So right! 😅

[@union310]

No way on Earth I would have removed the headstock.

[@Workshopfriend]

It really wasn't that big an issue. It is straightforward to realign with the bed.

[@mahmoudjam670]

Why my comments getting deleted?😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@Workshopfriend]

This is the first of yours I have seen! Earlier I had problems myself replying to comments.

[@mahmoudjam670]

@@Workshopfriend look like youtube issues

[@mahmoudjam670]

Clive I am about to purchase a danish lathe "Vesuv Prince". I checked your website very good info but I have a few questions about this lathe. especially about screwcutting.

[@mahmoudjam670]

@@Workshopfriend thread chart on this is Imperial but I need Metric. Do I have to change the threading gears?

[@Workshopfriend]

Took a look at this lathe on lathes.co.uk Looks like a good small lathe.

[@BajuriMuhamad]

Alhamdulillah, you muslim? , tabarkallahu, from Indonesia ❤

[@Workshopfriend]

No, I am a Christian who has lived in a Muslim context so understand the culture and belief system. Thanks for your comment.

[@nibaldogarcia2083]

D

[@Workshopfriend]

?

[@sethbracken]

Amazing that you captured Osama bin Laden’s lathe.

[@Workshopfriend]

Well, I did purchase it not so far from that place!

[@Wobblybob2004]

"Ide" take this down and re-edit it, if I were you !!!

[@peterbarker2295]

😂

[@christophercullen1236]

Clive what was your position in Pakistan ? Kit from down under

[@Workshopfriend]

Thanks for the hint. Just edited the video so it should pass scrutiny this time around!

[@Workshopfriend]

I worked with the church in Pakistan, but found my engineering background came in useful for projects.

[@ryebis]

@@Workshopfriend I'm not a religious person, but I admire your courage. They are good welcoming people, but also surrounded by a lot of violent zealots.

[@jdmccorful]

Win some, loose some, it looks like it worked out in the end. Don't tell the better half if there is one!

[@Workshopfriend]

😅...a few household items were added to the top of the box!