Denford Software & Machines

Hello

Here are some photos of a Viceroy that has just been auctioned in New Zealand. The fact that it is a Viceroy makes it rare. A metric one in very good condition is makes this a diamond. Being 3-phase, it is not a popular choice with home workshoppers so the auction price was about 1/3 less than I paid for my lathe. I already have a 3 phase motor and VFD I got to fit to my imperial lathe, so I could have just fitted that to the metric lathe. This lathe is missing most of the really useful accessories which would be unattractive to many buyers. Genuine Denford accessories never come up for sale here.

I have been looking for a good metric lathe for a long time and this is the only Viceroy I have seen that is as good as, or better condition than mine. The serial number indicates it is a lot younger than my imperial lathe. The paint condition indicates it has seen a bit more use than mine. The buyer got a very good lathe at a very good price. I did bid on this lathe but let it is pass to the other bidder.

I decided to stick with the imperial one mainly because I like making tools (to make more tools). The biggest disadvantage with a metric lathe is that I wouldn't be able to make imperial threads specifically including the spindle thread. This feature is essential for making tools for the lathe. I got an estimate for having a imperial/metric gear set made. The cost was eye watering. Even with the gear set, I would then have had the added cost of making and machining castings. It would be cheaper for me to buy a metric/imperial gear lathe. My imperial lathe is still impressively accurate. For my latest project I have been turning and boring for bearings and achieving accuracy of +/-2/10,000 inch. Not bad for a lathe designed for school kids.

So after looking out for a good metric Viceroy for years, I let the chance pass by. There isn't much danger of getting another like this one but I have no regrets.

Dazz

This is a really nice one! There is one interesting plate above lathe's nameplate at the first photo attached. It says the lathe has chromed slideways. I don't have such a plate on mine TDS. Does it mean I don't have a chromed slideways on my lathe??

Hi

Lathes of that quality in that condition are very rare here.
I don't know the answer but if yours has the holes for the label, it probably has a chromed bed.

Note that only the carriage slides are chromed. The tailstock slides are not. They look different.

Dazz

I can't recall if there are some holes above the nameplate:/ If my memory sevres me right there is a difference in apperance between carriage vees and tailstock vees. It can be seen on the photo ( DSC_9526.jpg ) in my post here:
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=3808

What you think Dazz?

Hi

I can't really tell from the photos. In real life, it is easy to see where the chrome is.

Dazz

Does anyone know if there were TDS 1/1 GBL without chromed slideways available? How to check if my ways are chromed? Now I'm little worried as 'chromed ways' feature was one of the key features (along with auto cross feed, size-to-capability ratio, old-good-english-made-machine, lightweight) that pushed me to buy this lathe:D