BOXFORD CNC LATHE (3)
by John
Some more photos of the Boxford, after the conversion. Sounds like the Damascus Road doesn’t it. Going CNC is almost an epiphany.
This is the wireless MPG controller. The lathe can be controlled from across the room, using the MPG and the wireless mouse and keyboard. The MPG even has an Estop kill button, along with the one on the lathe.
The new setup. Normally the keyboard and mouse sit under the screen to avoid swarf. Note the multitude of LED and halogen lights. I need those these days.
The old Dell sits underneath, along with other bits and pieces. The trolley has been very useful, as the lathe is progressively expelled from different rooms by SWMBO.
One drawer of tool holders, collets, inserts etc. The other drawer is not so tidy.
The Dickson toolpost, and Diamond tangential tool.
The ER32 collet chuck. Much more accurate than the Burnerd 3 jaw chuck. The mounting plate and backing plate were made by me to a design by Stuart Tankard.
If this conversion is of interest to you, look out for a technical description of the process in an article by Stuart Tankard to be published next year in Australian Model Engineer.
johnsmachines 
Hi John, I have a Boxford 125 TCL like yours, which I would love to update, was Stuart Tankard’s article ever published and if so which issues of the magazine was it in?
Great blog very enjoyable keep it up.
LikeLike
Hi Neil,
Stuart has not yet published his article, but I will give him a prod with your comment.
Glad that you like the blog. I sometimes wonder how it is being received.
Where are you located? If anywhere near Geelong Victoria Australia you would be welcome to check out my TCL
John
LikeLike
Hi John,
I would love to be able to take up your kind invitation but it’s a bit too far, I’m located in Hampshire UK.
I have had the TCL about 5 years, it came with everything, BBC computer, disks, the lot and if I work out all tool paths and input the G-code line by line then it works great.
Think I could manage the upgrade if I had some reference to follow.
Sorry for the late reply and thanks again.
Neil
LikeLike
Hi John,
Have just bought a 125 TCL really good condition just a few broken switches.
I will strip and rebuild, not sure yet about the electrics conversion.
I have to remove the chuck which is a bit rusty and seems stuck on, Is it a left hand thread? The rotation of the machine suggests it is, any help would be appreciated .
Regards Richard.
LikeLike
Hi Richard, on my 125TCL the chuck is attached with 3 or 4 cap-socket screws, from the jaw end of the chuck. After removal of the cap screws the chuck has to be levered off. It is a tight fit, and might be more difficult if there is rust. Good luck. John
LikeLike