Monarch lathe

All discussion about lathes including but not limited to: South Bend, Hardinge, Logan, Monarch, Clausing and other HSM lathes, including imports

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John Hasler
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by John Hasler »

Replacing vacuum tube rectifiers with solid state devices is straightforward. However, if you are referring to the thyratrons (which are not vacuum tubes), replacing them with solid state devices would require replacing the entire motor control system with one of a modern design. I think that I would find that fairly straightforward as well, but I did make my living designing motor controls for some years.

The thyratrons are xenon filled. Not nearly as cool as mercury ones.

A modern modern motor control system to replace the tube one would essentially consist of a microcomputer and some IGBTs. Total parts cost less than that of a set of thyratrons. The original controls could be used, as could the original DC motor
whateg0
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by whateg0 »

The biggest problem that I have seen people run into when converting to a modern DC drive is that to get the full rated horsepower out of the motor, it is necessary to boost the input voltage. You need over 300VDC to drive the motor, and some are going above that. Not all DC drives will handle the higher voltage. Aside from that, it is pretty straightforward.

Dave
John Hasler
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by John Hasler »

That's why I assume that I would need to design a drive myself, and why I'd consider keeping the motor-generator.

In fact, of course, I will probably never even have the opportunity to touch a 10EE.
Mr Ron
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by Mr Ron »

Originally I posted this out of curiosity, expecting a simple reply, but after reading all the replies, I can see why the Monarch 10EE is so coveted. Sounds like it could be compared to a Rolls Royce, Duesenberg or Bugatti. If I ever win the lottery, my first purchase will be a Monarch 10EE plus the services of Harold to teach me how to run it; all expenses paid, naturally.
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Harold_V
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by Harold_V »

I like the comparison to a Duesenberg. The car of my dreams. :-)

H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
John Hasler
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by John Hasler »

Harold_V wrote: Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:58 am I like the comparison to a Duesenberg. The car of my dreams. :-)

H
A friend of mine had a Bentley from that era. Incredible maintenance hassle.
JackF
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by JackF »

Harold, mine too, next would be a Cunningham. Neither dream will ever be realized. :roll: :lol:


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SteveHGraham
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by SteveHGraham »

I read Ian Fleming's novel, Casino Royale. In it, he bragged about James Bond's Bentley. He made it sound like a Lamborghini. Then I looked up the actual car.

It looks like Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang. I shouldn't be surprised. It turns out Fleming wrote that book. Picture the Beverly Hillbillies' truck, without the rocking chair. Ettore Buggati called it "the fastest truck in the world."

It was built in 1930 (the book was set in the early Fifties) and had a total of 175 horsepower. Miraculously, it reached almost 138 mph at some point; probably while going downhill. It performed poorly in races because the most British thing about it was its reliability.

Makes you wonder if Fleming drank too many vespers while writing about that car.

Really funny, picturing James Bond, rattling around in that ungainly, decades-old barge and thinking he was the bee's knees.

I had a 1978 Z-28 with 185 sad little horsepower, and it topped out at 124, with considerably less drag than the heavier Bentley. Makes you wonder about the Bentley's speed record! Maybe the guy who held the stopwatch received a free case of beer.

The 1935 Duesenberg was only 15 mph faster. Only.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
JackF
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by JackF »

In 1935, 152 mph? Duessy was pretty fast for a car off the showroom floor.


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SteveHGraham
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by SteveHGraham »

I know which car I'd pick.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
Mr Ron
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by Mr Ron »

Bugatti's and Duesenbergs were incredible cars in their day. They were probably not the most comfortable cars and you needed arms like a truck driver to drive one. They were incredible in the way they were put together. The Bugatti "Royale" had hand fitted tapered bolts in it's chassis for example. They were the luxury cars of their time. No one else got close. All this cost big money when Ford, GM and hundreds of others were building cars for the masses. Many years ago, I read some books about the history of some of these fine machines and I can't remember all of what was said about them. I do recall when a salesman for Duesenberg drove down a street, put it into a 180° spin ending up at the opposite curb between two cars; my kind of car.
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RCW
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Re: Monarch lathe

Post by RCW »

After reading the previous post about the 13ee, I looked it up on the 'net. It was lust at first sight! How many were ever manufactured?

And, Harold, what do you charge (beside travel costs) to teach ignorant but aspiring members of this forum? :D
--Bob
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