Ride The Gear Train free lathe software by Evan Lewis

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CHOOSE A LATHE

Choose
Lathe

Introduction

Terminology

Saving
Data

Quick
Start

Lathe
Models

No
Gearbox

Add
Lathe

Custom
Gearbox

Click the traffic light button beside your lathe.
Click any 'Return...' button to submit your choice of lathe.
If your gearbox is not on the list, choose 'Custom Gearbox' in the menu.

Blue (?) buttons provide HELP or INSTRUCTIONS for each section.
Green (?) buttons provide HELP specific to the lathe.
Yellow (?) buttons link to other useful sections of the help file.
Red HELP button in the main menu: search the whole help file.
SEARCH the help file is available using the button on the main menu.

LATHES WITHOUT GEARBOXES

This program can be used for any brand of lathe without a gearbox.
We need to know whether the leadscrew is metric (mm) or imperial (TPI).
In Step 2 enter the pitch or TPI of your leadscrew.
If you want to calculate power feed rates enter the gear ratios for the carriage feed and cross-slide feed using the OPTIONAL ENTRIES button.

Imperial
no
gearbox

Imperial_no_gearbox

This software will work for almost every imperial (inch) lathe
without a gearbox.
These lathes include Boxford models B , C and T series
and similar South Bend clones.

Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Imperial
no
gearbox

Clones

Metric_no_gearbox

This software will work for almost every
metric lathe without a gearbox,
These lathes include Boxford models B , C and T series
and similar South Bend clones.

Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

MINILATHES

Metric
Thread

Imperial
Thread

Mini
Lathes

Chinese
Mini
Lathes

If your minilathe does not have a gearbox the program does not need
to know the brand of lathe, but does need to know whether it is
imperial or metric, and the pitch or TPI of the leadscrew.
A few special options are provided to cover Chinese mini lathes
Most minilathes do NOT allow you to change the stud/spindle gear.
This is called a "fixed stud gear" and they usually have 40 teeth. Check. The reversing lever is usually part of the leadscrew drive or gearbox in these lathes.
Some minilathes have a standard design with a stud gear that CAN be changed similar to Western lathes such as American, British and European brands. These generally have the reversing lever built into the top of the gear train (with tumbler gears) and they can be entered as "imperial with no gearbox" or "metric with no gearbox" at the top of this list.
Some minilathes have a gearbox, but they may be limited to 3 speeds,
whereas full-scale gearboxes have at least 32 gear ratios for threads.
(Several larger Chinese lathes with full-sized gearboxes
are listed in the section for lathes with gearboxes.)
These minilathes use an inconvenient system for labelling the gears.
It is recommended that you use the same gear labels
that are used by RideTheGearTrain and ignore the Chinese system.
The yellow help button 'Chinese_Mini_Lathes' explains the labelling systems.
The yellow help button 'Mini_Lathes' is the beginning of the section about various mini-lathes.

Mini
Lathe
No
Gearbox
Leadscrew
2mm

Chinese
Mini
Lathes

Mini_Lathe_No_Gearbox_Leadscrew_2mm

The specifications match the Warco WM180 which is a metric mini-lathe with no gearbox.
Click the yellow help button (?) to learn about gear labelling systems.

Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Mini
Lathe
No
Gearbox
Leadscrew
1.5mm

Chinese
Mini
Lathes

Mini_Lathe_No_Gearbox_Leadscrew_1.5mm

This is a metric mini-lathe with no gearbox modelled on the Warco, but it has a leadscrew pitch of 1.5mm.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
Click the yellow help button (?) to learn about labelling systems.
It is recommended that you use the same gear labels that are used by RideTheGearTrain.

Mini
Lathe
No
Gearbox
Leadscrew
16TPI

Chinese
Mini
Lathes

Mini_Lathe_No_Gearbox_Leadscrew_16TPI

This is an imperial mini-lathe with no gearbox like the Warco WM180.
It has an imperial leadscrew with a 16 TPI thread.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
Click the yellow help button (?) to learn about labelling systems.
It is recommended that you use the same gear labels that are used by RideTheGearTrain.

Mini
Lathe
Tumbler
No
Gearbox
Leadscrew
16TPI

Chinese
Mini
Lathes

Mini_Lathe_Tumbler_No_Gearbox_Leadscrew_16TPI

This is an imperial mini-lathe with no gearbox modelled on Emco Maximat 7 which has tumbler reversing gears and a stud gear that can be changed. (Other Chinese lathes do not have tumblers or stud gears that can be changed.)
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
Click the yellow help button (?) to learn about labelling systems.
It is recommended that you use the same gear labels that are used by RideTheGearTrain.

Mini
Lathe
By
Precision
Mathews

Chinese
Mini
Lathes

Mini_Lathe_By_Precision_Mathews

Mini Lathe By Precision Mathews
An imperial minilathe with a '3-speed' gearbox.
This lathe belongs to Quinn Dunki.
See BlondiHack's YouTube channel.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
Click the yellow help button (?) to learn about labelling systems.
It is recommended that you use the same gear labels that are used by RideTheGearTrain.
Quinn Dunki of BlondiHacks fame has kindly allowed me to add her lathe. This lathe has a 3-speed gearbox which sets it apart from the others listed above. It is important to read the extensive HELP file by clicking the green (?) icon to the left, because these lathes have a number of unique features.

Metric
Mini
Lathe
With
Gearbox

Chinese
Mini
Lathes

Metric_Mini_Lathe_With_Gearbox

Metric Mini Lathe with a 3-speed gearbox
and leadscrew with 3mm pitch.
The 3-speed gearbox sets this lathe apart from the others listed above. It is recommended that you use the same gear labels that are used by RideTheGearTrain.
Click the yellow help button (?) to learn about labelling systems.
Read the HELP file about Chinese lathes by clicking the green (?) icon to the left, because these lathes have a number of unique features.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
The 3-speed gearbox sets this lathe apart from the others listed above. It is recommended that you use the same gear labels that are used by RideTheGearTrain.
Click the yellow help button (?) to learn about labelling systems.
Read the HELP file about Chinese lathes by clicking the green (?) icon to the left, because these lathes have a number of unique features.

LATHES WITH GEARBOXES

BOXFORD LATHES AND CLONES
OF SOUTH BEND 9" LATHES

Clones

Boxford
Models

Norton
Gearbox

Half
Nuts

Metric
Thread

Imperial
Thread

Adapter

Boxford
X10

Boxford_X10_metric

Boxford X10 Metric lathe with a gearbox
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
Newer Boxford Lathes (about 1977-2000) were sold with a variety of model numbers X10, STS-10-20, 10-30, 11-30, 11-20, 280T, 280-STS, 330, 330IS, 280IS, 250IS, 330TR, TR11.30. TR stands for Tool Room industrial quality. The numbers refer to the swing and distance between centers. Early Boxfords used the center height in inches above the bed (radius), but later lathes like this series, changed to the American system of using the swing instead (diameter which is double the center height in inches). However, some models used the swing in mm instead with 250, 280 and 330mm corresponding with 10, 11, and 13 inch swings.

Norton

Norton_metric

Boxford A, and AUD and any lathe with a metric Norton gearbox.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
The Norton metric gearbox is used in all clones of the South Bend 9" lathe, including BOXFORD Model A, AUD, VSL, ME10 etc and many others. Click the help button for "Clones".

Norton

Norton_imperial

Norton Imperial Gearbox for
BOXFORD 'A', 'AUD' & other South Bend 9 inch Clones
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
The Norton imperial gearbox is used in many lathes including BOXFORD Model A, AUD, VSL, ME10 etc and other South Bend 9" clones.
Click the yellow Help button for a list of at least 20 South Bend clones.
RideTheGearTrain was originally written for my lathe, and this is it.

Boxford
Model
C
Non
Standard
imperial

Boxford_Model_C_Non_Standard_imperial

A Boxford lathe with a non-standard gearbox from another supplier.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

MYFORD LATHES

Metric
Thread

Imperial
Thread

Half
Nuts

The next 2 entries are for Myford lathes.
The first one with a Myford gearbox had a standard stud gear with 12 teeth.
The second one had a standard stud gear with 24 teeth.
Yellow help buttons (?) link to useful sections of the help file.

Myford

Myford_7_imperial_new_model

Myford Super 7 or modern ML7 imperial gearbox
A small British lathe popular with model builders (after 1956).
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
This "new model" gearbox marketed after about 1956 can be recognized by the standard stud gear with 24 teeth. It is recommended that users click the green help button (?), and then click "Return...".

Myford

Myford_7_imperial_old_model

An early version of the small British lathe listed above (1953 to 1956).
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
This model can be recognized by the "standard" stud gear with 12 teeth. It is recommended that users click the green help (?) button and then click "Return....

OTHER LATHES WITH GEARBOXES

Metric
Thread

Imperial
Thread

Half
Nuts

VARIOUS LATHES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED.

There is a system for submitting CUSTOM data for your lathe.
At the end of the list is a special case for designing
a gear train with a specific gear ratio
for use on other machines such as milling machines.
Check the Yellow help buttons.

Chester
Crusader
metric

Chester_Crusader_metric

The Chester Crusader is a metric lathe owned by Barry Dewett in UK.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Chinese
C0636N
metric

Chinese_C0636N_metric

Chinese C0636N metric Gearbox (2021)
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
This lathe has a gearbox with 4 levers giving 64 possible gear combinations,
but 16 of them are redundant, producing the same ratio. See the help file.

Chinese
CJM320C

Chinese_CJM320C

This Chinese lathe model CJM320C, made in about 2020, has a 3mm pitch metric leadscrew. It also has a 12-speed gearbox, and a gear train with four gears.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
All four of these gears (a), (b), (c), (d) can be selected from the list of change gears in 'automatic' mode.

Colchester
Dominion

Colchester_Dominion_imperial

Colchester "Dominion" Imperial Gearbox.
This is a medium-sized lathe with a swing of 13 inches.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Colchester
Master

Colchester_Master_imperial

Colchester_Master_imperial leadscew gearbox.
This is an old medium-sized lathe listed by lathes.co.uk.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Craftsman
12
Inch
Imperial

Craftsman_12_Inch_Imperial

This Craftsman lathe has a 12 inch swing.
The specifications were provided by a friend in Texas
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Denham
Junior

Denham_Junior

An imperial lathe built in 1937. Located in UK.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Grizzly

Grizzly_G0602_imperial

Grizzly G0752 Imperial Gearbox
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
A Chinese imperial lathe imported by an American company.

Grizzly

Grizzly_G0752_imperial

Grizzly G0602 Imperial Gearbox
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
A Chinese imperial lathe imported by an American company.

Harrison
140
metric

Conversion

Harrison_140_metric

There are many lathe models made by Harrison. The "140" is a metric lathe which is apparently based on the L5A imperial lathe. This unusual design has an imperial gearbox and a metric leadscrew.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
This lathe is owned by Phil Sanders in Yorkshire, UK.

Harrison
L5

Conversion

Harrison_L5

The L5a is an imperial lathe having a 4 TPI leadscrew. It may have the same gear system as the L6 and others. It is fitted with a gearbox similar to the Norton style, with a "numbered" lever having 9 positions, and two knobs. The left knob has two positions marked A or B, and the right knob marked C or D. This gives a total of 9x4=36 settings. If your lathe has a third knob and a metric leadscrew see the Harrison 140 model (above).
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Harrison
L6
Mark3
36speed
gearbox
metric

Harrison_L6_Mark3_36speed_gearbox_metric

Under Construction. Is this correct? Gearbox is labelled with a numbered lever 1 to 9 and another lever marked with letters A, B, C, D or does this require 3 knobs?.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Hendey

This Hendy is a large imperial lathe with number and letter gearbox levers - Nelson's
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
This gray lathe is one of Nelson's collection. It is driven by flat overhead belts and includes a taper turning attachment.

Himount

Himount_imperial

The Himount Imperial Lathe is a Taiwanese imperial lathe, manufactured in 1983. Not quite the same as the Norton gearbox.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
This lathe is being used by Thames Auto Electrical, New Zealand.

Nile

Nile_imperial

Niles & Erfurt Imperial Gearbox
A very large imperial lathe 44" swing x 196" between centers.
Located in Canada.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Qualos

Qualos lathe with an imperial gearbox - Nelson's
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
A medium sized imperial lathe with a numbered gearbox (but no letter lever)Nelson's is painted green

Raglan

Raglan_imperial

Raglan Imperial Gearbox - Ross's Lathe
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
This imperial lathe has a 5" throw or 10" swing.Made in Nottingham in 1954 this lathe has a Norton style gearbox and 8 TPI leadscrew.

Smith

Smith_imperial

Smith-Lehmann Imperial Gearbox
A very large imperial oilfield lathe located in Canada.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

TOS
SR200
1957
imperial

TOS_SR200_1957_imperial

TOS brand lathe owned by a user in Crete.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.

Ward

Ward imperial gearbox (Nelson's)
This is a large lathe with a gearbox with a rotary dial and numbered lever.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
The HELP file contains details about how the dial works.

Yunnan

Yunnan_metric

Yunnan model CY-S1740G with metric Gearbox (1992)
A solid Chinese metric lathe 640mm swing x 1000mm bed.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
This model has an unusually complex gearbox which actually functions like three lathes, one for cutting metric threads, another for imperial and a third for power feeds. See the HELP file.

Shenwai
Chieftain
1540
imperial

Shenwai_Chieftain_1540_imperial

This lathe, owned by Adam Savage, is a heavy duty imperial lathe with 15-inch throw, 40-inch length, metric and imperial thread cutting gearbox, and power feed.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
In his YouTube video 'Adam Savage Stumped by Mystery Lathe Problem'. discovered an error in the official table attached to the gearbox. This program re-calculates TPI for all 576 lever combinations. Comparing these with the official table reveals a large number of errors. Click the green (?) button marked 'Shenwai_Chieftain_1540_imperial' for further information.

South
Bend
13

South_Bend_13

A is a heavy duty imperial lathe with 13-inch throw, a 6-foot bed, a thread cutting gearbox and power feed.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
The gearbox is a bit unusual in this early development. It is similar to Myford lathes with a sliding gear providing an 8-fold increase in leadscrew speed when a pair of gears is slid 'OUT'. The gearbox itself provides 24 settings. Click the green (?) button for further information.

South
Bend
Heavy
10

South_Bend_Heavy_10

This is a smaller version of the South Bend 13 1941, with a 10 inch throw instead of 13 inch, and the bed length is 4 feet instead of 6 feet.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
It has an 8 TPI leadscrew instead of 6 TPI. To compensate, the gear ratio of the standard gear train is 1.0 for model 10 but 3/4 for model 13. This allows both lathes to use exactly the same gearbox for screw cutting. The gearbox is a bit unusual. It is similar to Myford lathes with a sliding gear providing an 8-fold increase in leadscrew speed when a pair of gears is slid 'OUT'. The gearbox itself provides 24 settings. The factory only provides a 24T change gear available for use as a stud gear. The extended list of change gears shown here are for cutting metric threads. Click the green (?) button for further information.

AL-1000
imperial

Taiwanese_Master_AL-1000_imperial

This 2018 lathe was sold by Hare and Forbes, located in Sydney, Australia.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.
Hare and Forbes 'MachineryHouse' is a retail outlet in Australia. The owner of this lathe is Shaun

Custom
Gearbox

Custom Gearbox

If you select this option you will be asked a series of questions to allow you to enter your own gearbox data and use it immediately. Or you can send me the necessary information and I can add your lathe as a permanent addition to the program. Once you have set it up you can click the NEXT button in this list of lathes to actually use your new lathe.

GTR
calculator

GTR_calculator

GTR: Gear Train Ratio Calculator. This option allows you to design a gear train with any gear train ratio that you may need. It could be required for another machine such as a milling machine. This does not include a gearbox. However, the Polygon Cutter which can be selected in Step 3 calculates the overall gear ratio including the lathe gearbox and in that case you have to choose a lathe, not GTR Calculator.
Click the green (?) help button for more details about this lathe.