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We have a lathe/bench grinder in the club tool room.  It is very old, runs as smooth as silk.  The label is faded but I think it is a Cincinnati Milacron.  A nut welded itself onto the shaft.  We could not save it and had to cut it off.  Then the other one did the same.  I am sure lack of oil (maintenance) on the shaft is the issue.  The thing must be 60 years old.

My problem is finding the nuts.  I am told the the threaded shafts are done to the European or British standard of 12tpi.  Meaning the nuts are 1/2” – 12 (British Whitworth).  One is normal right hand thread, the other is left hand.

I have searched the USA over and cannot find these and if I do the companies require high minimum quantity or dollar amounts.  Does anyone know where I might source these?  Or do we have any European members?  I would like to get two of each.

This is as they say..........Driving me nuts.

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modeltrainsparts posted:

Having owned over 20 British cars all made between 1936 and 1953, plus a Norton and an Ariel motorcycle, i might be able to help. Being unable to lay my hands on my British thread gauge, please post the distance across the flats and the diameter. You said the threads were 12 TPI, correct? I'll lookin my supplies to see if i can help.

 

THe original nuts are destroyed but it looks like 5/8" across the flats is what they were.  I have 2 feet of clearance so I am not thinking outside diameter is going to be an issue.  Unless I am missing something on the British standards?  I could be :-)   Nuts are specced at 1/2” – 12 TPI (British Whitworth).   I got that from Cincinnati   One is normal right hand thread, the other is left hand. 

Turtlelinez,

I know the shipping costs are obscene but if you don't have any luck over time, you might consider the $30 weighed against replacing this reliable lathe with something new.  It may lesson the pain when compared to the cost of full replacement.  Then there's the satisfaction of a successful repair job.  Just a thought if you get stuck.  Meanwhile, I wish you luck in your ongoing search.

TRRR

 

From the info you provided: 12TPI is the nominal size for a 1/2" Whitworth nut; yet 5/8" across the flats perfectly fits a 5/16 (or 3/8 BSF) Whitworth wrench. What's all this mean? In standard British sizing a 12 TPI nut would be much larger than 5/8" across the flats. Two thoughts: If you have a motorcycle shop in your area that works on old British bikes try them or contact a company called Metric and Multistandard for assistance. Sorry i can't be of more help.

TurtleLinez posted:

We have a lathe/bench grinder in the club tool room.  It is very old, runs as smooth as silk.  The label is faded but I think it is a Cincinnati Milacron.  A nut welded itself onto the shaft.  We could not save it and had to cut it off.  Then the other one did the same.  I am sure lack of oil (maintenance) on the shaft is the issue.  The thing must be 60 years old.

My problem is finding the nuts.  I am told the the threaded shafts are done to the European or British standard of 12tpi.  Meaning the nuts are 1/2” – 12 (British Whitworth).  One is normal right hand thread, the other is left hand.

I have searched the USA over and cannot find these and if I do the companies require high minimum quantity or dollar amounts.  Does anyone know where I might source these?  Or do we have any European members?  I would like to get two of each.

This is as they say..........Driving me nuts.

Try this http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-BSW...a:g:eqgAAOxyYSdTEGh1

Bogie

 

 

 

 

Cincinnati Milacron were made in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Can't imagine why they would have anything other than U.S. threads.  It would help to know which 'shaft' you  are talking about.  Most lathes and milling machines have left hand threads on the cross slide.  Is it a 55 or 60 degree V type thread or a flat topped Acme with 29 degree included angle?  A photo would help.  I'm a retired too & die maker and have a Myford Super 7 English made lathe I use to build live steam locomotive so I do know a little about machine tools.  If it the 'shaft' is on the cross slide or carriage feed, it is called a lead screw and will be either an Acme 29 degree of a square thread. 

Tinplate Tom posted:

Cincinnati Milacron were made in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Can't imagine why they would have anything other than U.S. threads.  It would help to know which 'shaft' you  are talking about.  Most lathes and milling machines have left hand threads on the cross slide.  Is it a 55 or 60 degree V type thread or a flat topped Acme with 29 degree included angle?  A photo would help.  I'm a retired too & die maker and have a Myford Super 7 English made lathe I use to build live steam locomotive so I do know a little about machine tools.  If it the 'shaft' is on the cross slide or carriage feed, it is called a lead screw and will be either an Acme 29 degree of a square thread. 

I had the threads measured.  They are 1/2 12 TPI British Wentworth bolts.  I think that somehow a shaft came from or replaced by a Chinese one.  13 is avoided in China at all cost.  Thus the 12 TPI.

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