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RAGLAN LATHES
To continue to the main RAGLAN section of the archive, with
pictures, click here
The Raglan Company was founded in 1942 -
in the middle of the Second World War - by a Mr. Watkins in premises at the top
of Raglan Street, St. Anne's, Nottingham. The firm company moved first to a
disused chapel at the bottom of the same road and then, in the early 1950s and
just before the introduction of the more highly developed "Five-inch"
lathe, to Raleigh Street, Radford, Nottingham. It may have been at around this
time that the company suffered some financial reversal for subsequent machines
are badged “Raglan Engineer Co. 1954” - the year suffix being a common
way of continuing with an established brand having abandoned the liabilities of
the original organisation. The work’s manager at one time was Sam Tracey and
the foreman Henry Newman. It is not known what branch of engineering occupied
the early years of the company but the first Raglan lathe appeared on the
market in the late 1940s - and the company survived until 1971 when, having
been taken over by the Myford lathe company some years earlier, it was closed
down as being uneconomic to run.
Raglan
always competed at the top end of the 5-inch lathe market but confined their
range to variations on just a single design - a backgeared, screwcutting lathe
that passed through three distinct evolutionary stages: Little John Mk. 1,
Little John Mk. 2 and the “Five-inch” with all of 5-inch centre height
(actually 5.125”) and 24" between centres. A capstan lathe was made in Mk.
1 and Mk. 2 versions and a combined capstan and centre lathe also produced in
small numbers. A few specialist versions, for wood turning and preparing
tensile-testing samples, for example, were also offered - but all these
machines were based closely on the ordinary centre lathe. A simple
plain-turning, non-backgeared 5" x 15" training lathe, the
“Loughborough” – again using the form
of bed and the carriage and tailstock of the little John - was also marketed
and bought mainly by colleges and schools in the Midlands area. The
Loughborough was always fitted to a sheet-metal under-drive stand with an
enclosed, 3-speed flat-belt drive to the headstock. Unfortunately, although a
very strong lathe, its limited speed range and basic facilities make it
unsuitable for general or even the simpler kinds of model-engineering work -
though it makes an excellent lathe for relieving a more expensive machine of
roughing out work. A rather fine small vertical miller was also listed during
the late 1950s and through the 1960s.
In addition
to quality-engineering, backed by a fine cosmetic finish, the feature for which
the Little John and “5-inch” became best known, was a mechanical,
variable-speed drive unit built onto the back of the headstock. One half of the
expanding-and-contracting pulley system was mounted on the electric motor’s
spindle whilst the other was carried on bearings beneath the headstock - with
an extended shaft that held a twin V-belt pulley that drove the main spindle
with the belts passing vertically upwards inside the casting. The system was
robust and reliable but suffered, when fitted with a single-phase motor, from a
rattling thrust bearing at slow speeds - lathes with a 3-phase motor, being
driven much more smoothly, being free of the problem. A crude work-around (and
only sometimes successful) is to take another load - a fan heater or single-bar
electric fire for example - from the same electrical socket to which the lathe
is attached. The normal spindle-speed range was a very useful 38 to 1750 r.p.m.
with 290 to 1750 r.p.m. in direct belt drive and, with the very robust backgear
engaged, 38 to 260 rpm. The standard motor was a single-speed 0.5 h.p. 1425 rpm
unit but a few lathes were built with 2-speed motors and a higher top speed. A
special "High-Speed Spindle" model was also offered, driven by
a 1 or 1.5 h.p. motor, with a top speed of 2500 rpm; however, this lathe - and
it is very rare - omitted the screwcutting facility and had its power feeds
driven by 3-step Vee pulleys and "pick-off” gears rather than the
screwcutting gear train and power-shaft combination of the standard lathe.
Whilst lathes.co.uk can supply the variable-speed belt, the twin V-belts to
drive the spindle are a problem: because there is a very limited range of
adjustment, the belts were originally made to tight tolerances in a special
mould; today a belt of nominally the correct size will often be too long or too
short - the solution is to use a pair of T-link belts that can be adjusted by
adding or removing links.
The lathe bed and headstock were cast as one 43-inch long piece, with
consequent benefits to rigidity, whilst the bedways were separate hardened flat
steel strips, each 1.5-inches wide (separated by a 3.165-inch gap) that could
(in theory) be unbolted, reground and replaced. On first assembly during
manufacture the top of the lathe bed casting was surface ground then a
"dummy" bed (complete with its hardened bed strips) placed inverted
on top and used as a "surface plate" to guide the final hand scraping
whereby a truly-flat surface was obtained.
The Mk.
1 Little John had a smooth, rounded cast-iron headstock cover that was used,
unusually, to clamp the spindle roller bearings in place (on the Mk. 2 a
significant increase in rigidity was achieved by moving to a conventional
one-piece headstock casting). The gear-guard cover swung open on a rear-mounted
hinge and the variable-speed control lever was carried on a cast-iron support
post bolted to the headstock end of the bed. The next version, the Mk. 2 (by
far the most common model found on the second-hand market) can be recognised by
its flat-topped, one-piece headstock with bevelled sides and a simple
gear-guard cover that lifts off its two locating pegs. All versions of the
lathe had a 4-Morse taper headstock spindle with a square-thread nose running
on taper-roller bearings and capable of passing a 1" diameter bar.
Screwcutting was by changewheels only on the Mk. 1
but by changewheels or the option of a screwcutting gearbox on the Mk. 2. With
changewheels the threading range ran from 4 to 48 t.p.i or, with the metric
conversion gears fitted (52t and 44t supplied with the lathe), 0.25 to 4mm
pitch; the standard changewheel set included the following gears: 2 x 30, 32,
36, 42, 44, 45, 48, 52, 60. Gearbox-equipped machines generated pitches from 4
to 30 t.p.i. with the standard gear train in place or up to 60 t.p.i. by
swapping just one changewheel. Metric threads with the gearbox version spanned
a (maximum) range of 0.5 to 5mm pitch
Power
feeds, driven from a shaft below the 0.75-inch diameter, 8 t.p.i. leadscrew,
were selected by a knob that could be slid, horizontally, into one of three
positions on the apron. Rates of sliding feed varied from 0.003” to 0.50” per
revolution of the spindle with surfacing at exactly half those figures. The
leadscrew, used only for screwcutting, was engaged by sliding a gear, mounted
at the headstock end, into mesh with a corresponding gear on the power-shaft
below. A disadvantage of the apron fitted to both the Mk. 1 and Mk. 2 was the
difficulty of getting the power feed out of mesh under the stress of a very
heavy cut; there was no separate disengage lever fitted and the whole mechanism
could “load up” very badly, especially on a machine that was well worn. The
apron fitted to the later “Five-inch” model completely solved the problem and
had one of the lightest yet most positive feed-release mechanisms ever
encountered by the writer.
A suitable rugged compound slide was fitted with the top slide dropping over a
stout post on the cross slide - the design being an exact copy of that used on
the well-known American Atlas 10-F lathe. Unfortunately the T slot in the top
slide was machined rather close to its end face and weakened it to the extent
that, under severe stress was not
unknown for the end of the slide to snap off if a heavy dig in occurred—though
it must be said that the most severe provocation was needed, and on other
lathes such stresses would probably have mangled even more expensive
components. The Raglan vertical milling slide (which fitted in place of the top
slide) and the leadscrew clasp nuts were also either copies or bought-in Atlas
components.
The
machine number is normally found lightly stamped into the top of the cast
bridge between the bed walls at the tailstock end of the lathe - where years of
dirt and layers of paint often obscure it.
Without a stand both the Mk. 1 and Mk. 2 machines weighed approximately 3.5 cwt
(392 lbs or 178 Kg)
RAGLAN "Five-Inch"
The final production Raglan was called the “Five-inch” - a rather prosaic
title for what was, undoubtedly, the Raglan
company’s finest-ever, and rather expensive product. In 1966 the basic lathe
cost just under £300 but, mounted on the cabinet stand (£36 : 15s : 0d) and
with a screwcutting gearbox (£37 : 16s : 0d), 5-inch 3-jaw Burnerd chuck (£16 :
1s : 9d) and a faceplate (£4 : 11 : 6d) this rose to just short of £400. To put
that figure in perspective a Myford Super 7 to the same specification was a few
pennies under £200 - and the take-home salary of a newly-qualified teacher just
£55 a month.
Even though they looked rather different, the headstock and bed of the 5-inch
were dimensionally identical to the earlier models (as was the mechanical
variable-speed drive system), but major modifications, which significantly
improved the lathe, had been made to the saddle, apron, compound slide and
screwcutting arrangements. An
interesting point concerns the cross slide, which, whilst much wider than that
on the Little John was shorter than the ways on which it ran. Over time this
caused the slide to wear the ways more in the middle than the ends; however, if
the optional T-slotted long slide was used, this difficulty vanished and wear
was both slower and more evenly distributed. A quadrant arm on the face of the
apron, moving into indented positions, selected power sliding and surfacing
whilst another lever was arranged to allow an instant release of the power
feeds; a knock-off for the sliding feed was also provided by a button on the
left-hand face of the apron combined with the use of the standard-fit carriage
stop. The headstock end of the lathe was rounded off to give it a more
contemporary appearance, the screwcutting gearbox was enclosed and a proper
hinged guard, with a catch to hold it closed, was provided to cover the
stronger changewheels and their modified (and now easily-adjusted) mounting
bracket.
With
lots of filler used on the castings the
lathe was particularly well finished and much preparation and care went into
the painting. As a result many have survived in their maker’s enamel finish
with only minor cosmetic blemishes - Raglan 5-inch in fine condition is an
impressive sight - and should perform as well as it looks.
All
"5 inch" models appear to have been supplied on cabinet stands.
Although strongly constructed on two girder-section steel beams (and rather
handsome in outline) the early stands were strange affairs that lacked a chip
tray and with the switchgear mounted inconveniently and dangerously on their
right-hand side - however, both these little design foibles are, of course,
easily corrected. The stand used during the last years of production was based
on a modified Myford Industrial Cabinet fitted with a larger chip tray and the
lathe carried on steel-bar raiser blocks.
A few machines were constructed with an American long-nose taper L00 spindle
fitting (as used on, for example, Harrison "Eleven Inch" and some
"L5A" models) whilst similar numbers appear to have been fitted with
a rev. counter built into the headstock casting.
Headstock
bearings (Timken outer 16284B and Timken inner 16150) were identical left and
right but the rear had a bronze sleeve to bring it down to the shaft diameter.
Final
Models
Assembled
under the ownership of Myford the last of the Raglan lathes can be recognised
by the use of that company’s traditional "fully-machined" and
chemically-blacked nuts and bolts - and the modified Industrial Stand mentioned
previously. An interesting change was also made to the drive system on some
machines; because the variable-speed drive pulley was mounted on the motor
shaft, and needed to be an exact distance from its matching pulley under the
headstock, it was necessary to use a particular make and model of electric
motor. In Myford’s modification a shaft, carried on a pair of simple
plumber-block bearing assemblies and with the variable-speed pulley mounted on
one end, replaced the motor. At the other end was an ordinary V-pulley, driven
by the motor that was positioned lower down on the back of the stand. This freed
the makers (and subsequent owners) from the restrictions of a single-make motor
fitment for it was now possible to use one of almost any shape or size -
providing, of course, that it was of a suitable rating. This modification can
be made, with great advantage, to earlier machines, especially when the
original motor fails - or if a conversion is to be made from three to
single-phase electrics. When considering the size of single-phase motor to use,
do bear in mind the relatively high transmissions losses inherent in the
variable-speed drive system; the lack of “capacitor start” on many modern
motors means that a larger one might be necessary to start the lathe than to
run it at top speed (though the use of a more expensive “cap-start cap-run
motor solves the problem) and, finally, the fact that a slightly over-size
motor will have an easier and longer life than one that has to struggle for a
living. Around 750 kW (1 h.p.) should be correct but, for safety’s sake, it
would be unwise to go above 1.1kW (1.5 h.p.). Interestingly, Raglan themselves
offered an accessory similar to the device just described; however, they rather
mysteriously called it: "Single-pulley drive attachment"
designed to: "fit in place of motor when electric power is not
available". Perhaps they envisaged it being driven by a separate power
source, a stationary engine, water wheel or windmill, perhaps?
Adaptations
An
interesting conversion of the "Five-Inch" lathe was the Labomill
"Combination" or "Universal" machine that could turn, line bore,
end and horizontal mill and undertake both surface and cylindrical grinding. It
was manufactured by Antony H. Croucher of Holybourne, in Hampshire.
Installation
All
Raglan lathes were works-tested in a "free-standing" position and,
when bolting them down to a bench, care has to be taken not to stress and twist
the bed. To aid this, the tailstock end of the bed has only one holding-down
bolt and the underside of the mounting foot is made slightly convex to allow it
to find its own position. To mount the lathe, bolt the headstock end down
firmly onto a flat surface but only tighten the tailstock end sufficiently to
position it; the half compression of a spring washer under the bolt head is a
good guide as to how tight it should be.
Stopping
and Starting
As far
as possible, especially if you want to prolong the life of the electric motor,
try to start the lathe in a low-speed position. Because it is impossible, once
the lathe has stopped, to change the speed setting (the pulleys cannot be moved
relative to one another unless they are turning) try to get into the habit of
reducing the speed before switching off.
Working at Raglan - by John Stevenson
I
started work at the Raglan factory in early 1969 and left about the end of that
year. I was employed to build the aprons and screw-cutting gearboxes. The
company had recently been bought out by Myfords and they subsequently closed it
in about 1971. The factory, an old three-story Victorian lace mill was on
Raleigh Street, in Nottingham. The machine shop was on the ground floor, the
main fitting shop on the first floor (with the spray shop) whilst the second
floor was used for stores and the assembly of millers, capstan lathes and the
plain-turning “Loughborough” training lathe. The top floor was in the attic area
and consisted of the fettling shop where all the casting came by way of an old
lift. I don't know where the main castings were done but they came in “aged”
and part-finished in as much as the main bed ways had been rough machined. They
were finish-machined on a large horizontal miller with a ganged-cutter set-up.
A lot of the other operations were carried out on a couple of large lathes with
box jigs bolted to faceplates. As I didn't work in the machine shop I cannot,
unfortunately, remark on many of the operations.
Most of
the machines in the factory were very old and no investment had been made for
many years. A particular machine I did study as being of interest was the one
that made the leadscrews. I believe that this was made at Raglans, but I am not
sure. It looked to be based on an old centre lathe but was equipped with two
leadscrews, one right hand, one left hand. One was geared to give the correct
pitch of 8 t.p.i the other geared up to give a course pitch of 1 or 2 t.p.i.
The leadscrew was set up in a collet chuck and supported by the tailstock and
two travelling steadies; the first cut was put on and the machine started; at
the end of its travel the tool was retracted and the leadscrew gearing changed
over so that the carriage returned at high speed whence a new cut was applied
and the process repeated. All the operations were automatic and activated by
cams and ratchets. When leadscrews came off the machine they were bent like a
banana due to the stresses being relieved; they were straightened by being
supported on Vee-blocks and pressed under an arbour press. This machine made
the leadscrews and the cross and top-slide screws. Dummy screws were made in
threes and were tapered in stages, fluted, hardened and these were used as nut
taps for the cross and top slide nuts.
The bed
ways were hardened-and-ground steel strips with blind tapped holes in their
bases that were threaded to carry studs that held the rails to the bed. The bed
castings were finished by carefully hand-scraping the way locations using a
dummy bed as a surface plate. I cannot comment on the building of the
headstocks as I wasn't involved with them at all – but I can remember a jig
being used for setting the thrust bearings on the variable-speed drive. The
saddle and apron assembly was straightforward and all the bearing faces were
scraped in as matching pairs. The swivel markings on the topslide and with the
tailstock barrel graduations were both rolled in with hardened circular dies.
The
screwcutting box was built along traditional Norton “quick-change” lines but
employed unhardened, machine-cut gears. The boxes were '"run in" on a
dummy machine and this process entailed holding the selector lever hard into
mesh to bed-in any unevenness, followed by a thorough wash out and a re-oil.
This dummy machine was interesting: it was a brand-new Raglan lathe that had
been dropped whilst loading and had snapped off just in front of the chuck. The
decision was taken not to rebuild it but to give it to the fitters as a machine
for polishing shafts/bushes for a precision fit. During the time I was with the
company the build list consisted of centre lathes, a couple of capstans,
training lathes - but no millers.
The
spray shop was also on the first floor and run by two guys who were responsible
for all the preparation and final paint work. The machines were only painted
when they were finished and signed off. The rough castings were prepared with a
thick filler paint made by a company called Trimite (who are still in existence
http://www.trimite.com/). The first coat was literally trowelled on, the second
coat painted on and, as it became skin dry, was repainted with cellulose
thinners. This had the effect of 'melting' the topcoat and allowed it to flow
to a smoother finish. This was given overnight to dry and then rubbed down with
wet and dry paper. Two more coats were then applied by spraying with a light
sanding between. The finish consisted of one base coat and two topcoats of a
special cellulose-based Trimite paint, a product also supplied to Myfords. The
finish on Raglan lathes was first class - and far better than that used on the
machines of contemporary competitors.
The
works manager when I was there was Mr Gibbs who had come from Myford
Engineering, the new owners.
RAGLAN LATHES
To continue to the main RAGLAN section of the archive, with
pictures, click here