Mitchell Of Keighley Lathe Work Patched Jun 2026

: Allows for a larger swing (up to 32 inches in some models) to accommodate oversized workpieces like heavy-duty rear axle shafts.

Because these machines have lower top speeds, they are perfectly suited for High-Speed Steel (HSS) cutting tools and traditional braze-on carbide tools. If you use modern indexable carbide insert tooling, ensure you select inserts with geometries designed to work effectively at lower surface speeds, or maximize the spindle speed on smaller diameter workpieces to achieve the correct surface feet per minute (SFM). Handling the Controls

Mitchell lathes are famous for their heavily ribbed, high-tensile cast-iron beds. Most models feature a removable "gap piece" directly beneath the spindle nose. Removing this gap allows the operator to swing exceptionally large diameter workpieces—such as large brake drums, wheels, or flanges—that would otherwise hit the bedways. 2. The Geared Headstock mitchell of keighley lathe work

: By 1950, Mitchell of Keighley absorbed the famed Darling & Sellers, merging two titans of the West Yorkshire "machine tool triangle".

Their reliability made them popular in large industrial maintenance facilities, such as those found in steel mills, shipbuilding yards, and factories. : Allows for a larger swing (up to

The bedways, saddle, and cross-slide should be kept clean of chips and lubricated daily with a dedicated way oil (such as ISO 68 Way Lube). This oil contains tackifiers that keep it sticking to vertical and horizontal sliding surfaces, preventing metal-on-metal wear.

If you notice a deteriorating surface finish, chatter marks during parting-off operations, or dimensional inaccuracies, your spindle bearings may require adjustment. Handling the Controls Mitchell lathes are famous for

They are the ultimate "jobbing shop" lathe. Whether you are re-turning a worn agricultural tractor axle, sleeving a shaft, or skimming a distorted flywheel, the Mitchell handles varied, unpredictable tasks with ease.

If you are currently working on or restoring a specific machine, let me know:

The global reach of D. Mitchell's machines is evident from their appearances in places far from Keighley. For instance, a Mitchell lathe cast with "Mitchell & Co. Ld. Keighley" has found a home at a steam locomotive museum in New Zealand. Additionally, a 1961 newspaper advertisement in New Zealand invited tenders for an 8½-inch centre "Mitchell of Keighley" lathe with a cap bed, complete with a 7½ hp motor.