email: tony@lathes.co.uk
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Rivett 608 Lathe - Wooden Stand Version

Rivett Home Page

High-definition 608 Photographs    608 and 8" Precision Accessories 
Rivett 608   8" Precision Lathe   Nos. 3, 4 & 5 Lathes   
504, 505, 507 & 606 Precision Lathes   715 Lathe   918 Lathe   
1020/1030 Toolroom Lathes   1020R Toolroom Lathe
   Rivett Watchmaker's Lathes   Rivett Factory   Rivett Millers

A complete Instruction Book and Workshop Manual is available
for the Rivett 608 - covering the 8" Precision as well.
Other interesting Rivett publications are also available.

A stand similar in size and construction to the belt-driven underdrive stand, this version was fitted with the "Speed Box" used on the cast-iron and open-frame types. The drive system involved the use of a beautifully built, two-speed gearbox held within the cabinet and driven by a single V-belt from a motor carried on a hinged  plate behind it. The gearbox contained upper and lower shafts, each carrying pairs of helical-cut gears, of different ratio and arranged so that the two shafts were connected by gears in constant mesh.  Either pair of gears could be selected through a two-way, multiple steel-disc clutch operated by a hand lever moving through a lateral quadrant (marked SLOW--FAST and Rivett). The unit incorporated an automatic brake, activated when the lever was moved to its spring-loaded central position. The gearbox, in which all moving parts were dynamically balanced, was fitted with heat-treated alloy steel shafts running on roller bearings. At the headstock end of the stand a cut-out was arranged that allowed an endless belt to be fitted without the need for any dismantling..

A well-reserved example of a 608 mounted on the maker's wooden cabinet with 2-speed gearbox and clutch unit

Note the cut-out at the headstock end to allow an endless belt to be fitted

A range of Rivett Publications is available
High-definition 608 Photographs    608 and 8" Precision Accessories 
Rivett 608   8" Precision Lathe   Nos. 3, 4 & 5 Lathes   
504, 505, 507 & 606 Precision Lathes  715 Lathe   918 Lathe   
1020/1030 Toolroom Lathes   1020R Toolroom Lathe
Rivett Home Page   Rivett Watchmaker's Lathes   Rivett Factory

Rivett 608 Lathe - Wooden Stand Version
email: tony@lathes.co.uk
Home   Machine Tool Archive   Machine-tools Sale & Wanted
Machine Tool Manuals   Catalogues   Belts   Books  Accessories