portable wheel lathes

crij · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:15 am **Posts:** 585

I have seen a couple versions posted here before, but I was hoping that people whom have used them could post pictures and opinions (gripes and praises) of the different types out there, both manufactured and shop made. Kelly Anderson's Strasburg posting reminded me that I have been wanting to ask this for a while.

I may soon have access to the guts from a tracer mill and the cross slide and compound from a heavy lathe and figure a good profile following railmounted wheel lathe could be engineered from those parts. Thus I would like to see what is out there, as it is highly unlikely for me to get my hands on an affordable (acquisition and transport wise) wheel lathe.

As far as powering up the axle on a locomotive (after the locomotive is anchored down and the axle is supported) what are the safe options, ie friction drive against opposite wheel, external motor geared to the bull gear or powering the traction motor from external power/welder. Please detail the method you have used with gripes and suggestions. I am mainly concerned with reprofiling the wheels of a Diesel Electric, but if a good friction drive method is out there then the lathe could also be used on rolling stock.

IIRC diameters on the same axle are +/- 1/8" am I correct?

Thanks,
Rich C.

Rob Gardner · **Joined:** Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm **Posts:** 576

Rich,

Check the website for the SP&S 700 group in Portland. (Their initials escape me at the moment.) I believe I saw a photo gallery of them turning some of the tires on the 700 that way with a portable drive system hooked up the set of drivers to turn them in place while they trued up the tread and flange.

Rob Gardner

Mike LaBouliere · **Posted:** Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:19 pm

Rich, the CSO has a version of a portable wheel lathe. It may be home made. As far as powering the axle, you hook a welder up to the lead on the traction motor and that powers the single axle while you cut it. You may want to contact them to see if you can look at theirs and potentially see how its used.

Howard Wise · **Posted:** Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:46 pm

Check out http://sp1218.ncry.org/wheels.htm for my adventures with an Iron Horse Wheel Lathe.

Howard

crij · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:15 am **Posts:** 585

Howard & Mike, PM sent to you with further questions.
Thanks,
Rich C.

060 Hogger · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:39 pm

Williams Grove reprofiled the wheels on PRR 643, 0-6-0 on-the-spot in a primitive shelter.