Tom

Looks like a great restoration project, I look forward to this. I nearly bought a 454 the other day, nice tractors! Tom

Hi Iain, I certainly agree with you, it seems difficult to find a nice example in our area. I would love a big lathe and the only thing putting me off is the expense of it. Moving it is no problem as I have a forklift ect but it's just the cost I'm not sure I could afford to start with. Also do a lot of the bigger lathes use three phase? Ideally I'd like a lathe with a good collection of chucks and tools to keep me going for a while because as you say they can be expensive. Tom

Thanks for your responses guys, I appreciate it. I am definitely not rushing into buying one and I am willing to wait for the right one and even pay a bit more for a good one if I have to. I may speak to a few friends who have lathes and have a go with their lathes and learn a little more, it may even pay to get someone who knows a bit about lathes to tag along with me if I find one to help my check over it. Thanks again for all your help and advice, Tom

Hi, I was unsure whether to post in that thread because I didn't know if you wanted to keep it as a sort of picture thread if you like. I will have a good read through of that thread again. I would love a Myford but I wondered if I got one of those whether I would be jumping into the deep end if you get me and whether it was suitable for me to learn on. As you say though the older lathes seem to be a lot more reliable. Tom

Hi, First of all I hope this is the right category for this, if not would a moderator be kind enough to move it for me to the right section, thank you! I have been looking and researching into lathes recently as it's something that interests me. It would also prove helpful with future projects I have planned and most likely in the future I will be using it in my job. I am creating this thread to ask you guys out there who have experience with lathes what a good beginner lathe would be for me? Bearing in mind I have no previous experience with lathe working I have only read up about them and how they work. I planned to get a small lathe first, maybe the size of a Myford 7 roughly? The reason for this is because I guess it would be easier to learn on a smaller lathe, the cost would hopefully be lower and I don't really want to turn any big pieces of metal, to start with anyway. I have looked at those Clarke lathes in Machine Mart but upon reading reviews they don't seem to be very strong and I think they have plastic drive sprockets which are prone to breaking. I realise it isn't something I will learn overnight and it takes a lot of skill but this is why I want to start now, while I am still young and then I can build up my knowledge as I progress. I appreciate and tips or advice about lathes as I am still a complete newbie but it's definitely something I would like to learn about. Thanks in advance, Tom

Very nice, I look forward to this. I have a 1501 kubota tractor and it's brilliant, it's only 15hp but pulls really well and the hydraulics are strong. Good luck with it. Tom

Hi all, I got one of the atoms out for a play and hooked up the plough It actually performs really well and has lots of adjustment so you can get the best finish, I'm still learning about the art of ploughing but im getting there. I also picked up a front weight bracket and two front weights as well as a set of spade lugs which I am very happy about. Little and large! Tom

Great looking Deere, I agree that there aren't enough of them around! Tom

Hi Ghost, You are most welcome. Just out of interest is your plough adjustable and does it have a disc? Tom

Hi Ghost, If the villiers mk12 is the original engine for your barford atom it would indicate that it is a "15" and not a "30", there are very little differences but it's always handy to know. If you have thoroughly cleaned the points I would recommend resetting the gap to 0.012", if you still can't get a spark you may want to try fitting a new condenser as these can also pack up. Before you do all this it may be worth checking your spark plug actually works as I know from experience that sometimes it's just a duff spark plug! Usually a good clean up of the points and a new spark plug sorts it but let us know how you get on because failing all of that it may be the coil. If you don't already know just search in google "villiers parts" and there are numerous villiers specialists where you can buy near enough any part you want for them! Also if you get a second take a few pictures of your barford atom as I, and everyone else, would love to see it. Good luck and let us know how you get on, Tom

I'm guessing it's a Crawley 75?! If it is the same one that was on the well known auction site, I was also very interested especially as it was only down the road! I'm happy to hear that it has gone to a good home, they are very cool little tractors. Tom

Hi guys, I will stay well clear of waxoyl then, I will give it a wipe with an oily rag tomorrow, thanks very much for your help! Tom Hi Iain, I have PM'd you! Tom

Hi, Yes Ian, I really am addicted! These little atoms are so cool. Today I changed the gearbox and engine oil, cleaned the carb and the oil bath cleaner, gave her a wash and put the cultivator on! I do have one question, I don't want to paint it as I want to keep it original, should I spray it in oil or waxoyl or just leave it?? I'm just scared of it getting rusty!! Tom

Hi, Thanks all for the comments! I really like these barfords, they are such cool and simple two wheeled tractors. Hopefully I can start to use some of the equipment so next year I can participate in some rallies! Tom

Hi all, I purchased a barford atom the other week and collected today and got talking to the guy as you do and ended up coming home with two barford atoms, spare engine and loads of attachments! A nice full trailer load! There is a tool bar with loads of attachments such as cultivating tines, potato ridgers and lifters etc and also an adjustable plough which are getting harder and harder to come by! The little mechanical gardener I bought previously. I would like to try and take one of them to a rally and test them out or just show them as they are very original pieces and I am very happy with them, one of them even has a belt guard! Tom

Hi, Great conversion! I got my hands on one of these sickle bars the other night for the grand total of £10, I look forward to seeing it all painted up and mounted in your tractor. What is the width of yours? I know there were three different widths made: 18", 24" and 36". Tom

Hi, Nice generator! I have a petter AA1 also and it's a great engine, will run all day on next to no fuel and starts easy! great little engine Tom

That's quite understandable, there's not really many members from my area on here so I'll be sure to take lots of photos for you all!! Tom

Hi all, Thanks for all your positive comments! I'm sure it do-able, especially with your fabbing skills! It probably wouldn't be best to use one of these sort of scythes as the "PTO" is specific to this machine however there are scythes that use belt-drive, I think wolesely is one. It would definitely be a great project! Tom

Hi all, Was just wondering if any of you guys were attending this show? It's on the 29th and 30th of March, I have only just seen it and will definitely be going and having a look around! Tom

Hi all, Picked up this little beauty today, it's pretty much untouched and all original, the guy hadn't used it in ages and wanted to get rid of it so I bought it. Brought her home and after a little help with some petrol down the plug she fired away first pull. The drive works as does the scythe. She just needs a good steam cleaning, air filter assembly, new throttle cable and a new cork on the fuel tap, but other than that shes in great orignal condition. For now I'm just going to keep her in her working clothes I think. The scythe takes about 30 seconds to remove or install, it's very simple!! Tom

A very, very nice find! If you only you were closer.. Tom

Hi Andrew, Thank you very much, although I have to admit the pictures make it look better than it is! The paint I've used seems to be OK however to be honest I haven't used it that much it's mainly sat in a building. It's funny you should bring this thread up as yesterday I dug out the original engine and got her up and running, well she fires so I think a good carb clean is the next step. In addiction to this I've extended my barford collection as I bought a barford atom mechanical gardener yesterday, it also comes with a scythe. It's in working order but could do with a little TLC. I'm really hooked on these now and I'm already planning a build for a trailer! Tom

Hi Andrew, I can't recall seeing a barford atom with a villiers type sump like that however if you couldn't find the right style sump for that I'm sure you could add some sort of mounting plate that suits that engine. I did the same as I put a briggs on my barford atom and had to make a mounting plate for it. Sorry I can't be of much help. Tom

Hi Mark, Following this closely, it is looking really good so far! If your 4x4 wheel horse is anything to go by I imagine this one will exceed all expectations! Tom