Tom

All very interesting and helpful posts, thanks ever so much guys. I will definitely look at investing in some of these books. A lot for me to think about and consider before buying a lathe, there is definitely a lot to know and learn about them and I'm looking forward to learning all about them and hopefully learning how to use them, it is something that has always interested me Thanks all for your help. Tom

Very nice, you're a lucky guy! I'd do anything to get my hands on an rj!! It's awesome that you've got a snow blade too, I'm very jealous! Tom

Oh well, at least I have all the gears and lifting frame I can just put onto my new shell hopefully, do you have any suburban decks or are they rj decks? Tom Yes it was Chris.Tom I'm hoping not, it looks fairly simply so I'm sure with the help of some friends who are good at fabricating things I can make the deck look fairly original. Tom

Hi all, I have been waiting about two weeks for this package to arrive and today it finally arrived and I was so pleased! The package: What could it be?! Da daa! A nice little deck for my suburban, I realise it's actually an RJ deck but it came up at a good price and I couldn't turn it down so I bit the bullet. It will fit my suburban so at least I can use it, maybe I'll come across an RJ to put it on! I plan to fabricate a new shell for it, well I can try at least. Thanks for looking, Tom

Hi, I will have a quick look to see what I have got. Stormin could well be right as I have heard of this happening before, I can't remember how much of a job it is to look. However with you saying there is a clonk makes me think something is broken internally which is preventing it from moving. Before you split it I will speak to my uncle who works with these things every day and see what he has to say, he may have come across something like this before. Tom

I am willing to travel if it's a nice enough lathe. I think I will stick with a single phase for now. To be honest I don't think I will wanting to lathe any major big at the moment, no longer than sort of 18" I shouldn't think, for now anyway! I am tempted by a mysore but I am just playing the patient game and waiting for the right one as I am in no rush. I am interested in the books you recommend, as Iain said, could you post them up here? I think it would be handy not only for myself but others too. Tom

No problem, hopefully it's just something simple. Keep us updated! Tom

Hi, The hydraulic oil filter screen is located on the same side as the clutch and is just in front of the rear axle on the side of the transmission. It should be painted red but the paint has most likely worn off. I would imagine the pump is working because from what I understand the arms went up but won't go back down. However, you can check the pump is working by loosening off the pipe that goes from the pump to the three point housings very slightly and see if any hydraulic oil comes out as it should be pressurised, this should give you an indication that the pump is working. Another fault could be the pressure relief valve. Have you checked this? If you put the lift arm lever right down and put weight on the arms do they go down? Or are they spongy or are they solid? It's a matter of eliminating possible faults really, I am no expert but I can try my best to help you guys. Tom Location of the filter screen: Pressure relief valve diagram: Tom

Hi, Did you check the hydraulic oil filter screen? I presume the hydraulic pump is definitely pumping oil? Tom

Hi guys, I'm sure you have checked but just to make sure, the knob under the seat is fully screwed out isn't it? As that locks the hydraulics arms. 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