Type PH6L-3
Fitted with a flat-topped, bevelled-edged bed, the plain-turning Eguro PH6L-3 was one of a range of similar machines, including the PH3, PH5 and PH5, appears to have been a likely candidate for offering the transformational functionality of easy conversion to a "Toolmaker", "Second Operation" and "Repetition/Production/Turret" lathe. Although there may well have been parts available to make the conversions, the catalogue specification for this was clear, it was intended solely for production work. As a reminder of this system that applied to most "bench precision lathes", the description "Toolmaker" was used when the lathe was fitted a screw-operated draw-in collet attachment, a screw-action tailstock and a screw-feed compound slide rest - the lathe being intended for use by a skilled turner making on-off parts. "Repetition" and "Second-operation" were interchangeable descriptions applied when a machine was assembled with quick-action lever controls for movements of collet closer, cross slide, top slide and tailstock - while "Turret" was used if the lathe bed was fitted with a multi-tool, rotating capstan head.
Supplied complete on a fabricated steel stand with a laminated wood top, two storage drawers and a built-in drive system, the Eguro 76 mm (3") centre height by 220 mm (8.7") between centres PH6L-3 featured a bed and chip tray cast as one piece. The bolted-on headstock, in the form of an open-topped box with a hinged lid, was hand scraped to a perfect fit on the bed. Running in bronze bearings, the 19.5 mm bore spindle was made from heat-treated, high-carbon chrome steel, its nose machined with both a screw thread and also, using an adapter sleeve, to take direct-fitting EDA No. 6 collets with a 30° seating. Seven collets were supplied with each new lathe, the largest having a through-capacity of 14 mm and smallest 8 mm. Fitted as standard was a lever-action collet closer operated, for efficiency, by a foot pedal with the operating rod connected to a series of pivoting links at the rear of the headstock. A most useful fitting (absent from so many lathes but also found on other models of Eguro lathes) was a pin that protruded from the face of the headstock by which means the spindle could be locked to ease changes of nose fittings.
Power came from a standard-fit, single-speed 0.4 kW large-frame motor mounted on a right-angle bracket that allowed for adjustment of the belt-tension adjustment. Drive to the headstock was first by a mechanical expanding and contracting drive of the type known colloquially in the USA as a Reeves and in the UK as Ainsworth. In this system, as the pulley on the motor opens wider, that on the driven shaft closes up - and vice versa, the arrangement on the PH6L-3 giving a stepless range of speeds from 730 to 3000 r.p.m. Final drive to the spindle was by a single A-section V-belt and electrical control - for ease of operator use in production work, was by a foot-operated stop/start pedal.
As was normal on a plain lathe, the tailstock casting was in one piece and could not be set over for the turning of slight taper while the long-travel spindle was listed as being formed with a JT 1 taper for the direct mounting of a drill chuck together with a 5.5 mm diameter one-in-twenty internal taper (5.5 Ø 1/20 taper).
Although the lathe was supplied complete on a stand ready to run, little extra equipment was supplied with each new Eguro PH6L-3 - just a foot-pedal operated collet chuck (but no collets); a tailstock No. 1 Morse centre; a box spanner and three ordinary spanners.
Listed accessories included the unique Eguro five-position carriage stop; a collet chuck with various collet sets and a3" diameter 3-jaw chuck.