Doing a bit of a cleanup on the CK. I am trying to avoid a teardown and rebuild but will know more as I get into the cleanup. For now, so far, all looks good and not planning on any major teardown.
Thought she was Green!
Before on the top and righ
Close up clean on left
Headstock/Levers Done
Chuck Off – Headstock Clean
Let’s look behind door # 1!
Chips impacted under headstock – they just keep coming out!
Changing/Cleaning Belt Area Up Next
End Gear Train Up Next Too
Clutch working good, not going to mess with at this point
Turns out I need to pull off the clutch and sheave to get the belt guard off for better cleanup – I am going to pass on the procedure for now and work around it. End gear train most troublesome to clean/get at but will be tackled soon.
The CK has a D1-6 spindle configuration. Came with, at first glance, a decent Cushman 3 Jaw Chuck. Still need to take a closer look at the chuck and maybe teardown and rebuild.
Naked
Chuck off resting in cradle
Cushman 3 Jaw
Needed a cheater bar, small 1″ black pipe, to slide over chuck key handles more for grip than for leverage. The cam locks were stiff but not stuck. Chuck came off with little fuss.
A week has past since we confirmed the purchase of the lathe. Have not slept much since. Dreaming of all the ways this could go wrong. Actually went pretty smooth. Forklift on sellers end made quick work of getting it on my buddies trailer. Said “buddy” is partially to blame for making this happen;). Extremely grateful to Brian for generous resource and time!
Forklift at seller’s end
On trailer in shop
Sitting on pallets on the car carrier trailer. I have pallet jack so my initial thought were to muscle it off with that and some other implements but then the reality of 3600lbs came into play.
During the week I set plan B into action. Built a skid under the lathe as I removed the pallets. Lots of blocks, 4x4s, prybars and a Johnson bar and I managed to get the skid installed for what proved to be a uneventful slide off the trailer.
Headstock End Pallet Removed
Temp Half Skid
Temp Half Skid Another View
Tailstock End Pallet Removed
Full Skid in Place – End of Trailer
On Shop Floor
Further inspection, clean-up and wiring coming soon.
Been keeping an eye out for an upgrade to my Sheldon 10 EXL 56-P. Eyed this one on semi local Craig’s list with some not to great photos but was able to tell it was a Monarch.
Monarch Lathe as Pictured on Craigslist
From the pic I thought it would be way to big for me but really could not tell for sure. Few inquiries to the poster and in fact a Monarch CK – 12×30. Big yes, too big?.. not sure so we setup a visit. Kinda like saying I am going to the animal shelter to look.
Was able to run her through all the spindle speeds and a wide range of feeds without issue. Used saddle lock method of checking any drastic wear on the ways…also without issue. Visual inspection of rack, feed screw and overall condition passed scrutiny as well. Drove home and obsessed about it for several days and researched as much as I could about these machines.
Did not get the chance to open the head stock cover – obsessed about that for sure although was comforted by the fact that the run through all the spindle speeds was remarkably smooth.
Specs for the CK (CK stands for 12″ Model C)
One of the most intimidating part of the purchase decision was the weight. I have not moved anything over one ton. Most machines in my shop are 900 to 1300 so all my previous acquisitions I was able to handle by myself. I have capabilities to lift up to 1 ton max so this move was going to take some additional planning.
Fair amount of info on the internet – not to mention Monarch Lathes appears to have pretty much all the info you could imagine for these machines as well as the ability to make just about any part necessary from the original specs. Justifiably pricey but comforting to know if you really get in a jam there is a way out.
Vintage Machinery has a fair amount of info and it so happens Keith Rucker does a complete series of a Monarch Restoration (larger and newer Model K but great process). Adam Booth Abom79 on Youtube has the bigger brother to the CK — The CY I think. Comforting to know that these two are Monarch fans and are such good resources.
Well after all things considered I bit the bullet and did the deal! I am the proud new owner of a 1944 Monarch CK!
Could not help myself when this shop made cabinet came up for bid at the 2020 Cabin Fever Expo. Got lucky and fit under a machine base that had a makeshift set of storage that I never was that thrilled with. Almost the same color green and fit like a not so good fitting glove but way better than before.
How does this become a thing? Well, first you start with a buddy giving you a call one day asking if you want an old industrial sewing machine. You say no, he says too late it is in the back of my truck heading to your shop. Truth be told, I kinda did want a industrial sewing machine but just was not quite “mentally prepared” to deal with it at the time.
Singer 241-11 laying in the van after delivery from Tom.
Singer Table
Singer 241-11 first test
Singer Bobbins
Singer 241-11 in place in its new home in my shop
Boring Bar Tool Roll
Boring Bar Tool Roll
Up next: more tool rolls, canvas bags and who knows what else!
Could not help myself at Cabin Fever Expo. Took a bet on a $10 Simpson 260 Series 7M. Same multi meter we used in high school. Typically these fail because of leaking batteries – hence the bet. Yeah, I know, I could have opened it up as you should when you look at any of these but where is the thrill in that.
I call the bet a break even. Indeed battery leakage had destroyed the clips for both D-Cell and 9 Volt. With a little bit of cleanup and replacement of both the D-Cell and 9v Battery holder she is working like a charm.
Well it had to happen at some point. Consolidation of all the resistors I have gathered over the years. I actually wanted the drawer space back for the growing numbers of micro controllers and boards so I managed to clean out 24 drawers and one complete (well almost) cabinet.
