Nova Comet II restoration (unexpected)

[DennisM]

Hi All,

Since I decided to get back to turning for my health, In stead of buying a HF lathe (which I do Not mind them at all! will get one for buffing/finishing still) I found a add for a Nova Comet II for 280.00 video of it running was dark from the workshop but ok, it works. Drove up to get it , seller seemed like a good guy, loaded it in car and we shot the **** for abit, then came home

Headed to Boston for work the next day and then came back to work on it. and MY GOD, I was an idiot for not looking at it closer! It was abused to heck and back , he replaced the controller a year ago he said but the rest? OMG See pic

So I decided I had to clean it up some, the tail stock wouldn't move more then a 1/4 of in a inch in or out, the tool rest post would not take right tool rest at all, he had some horrid contraption as a tool rest, (Not sure how any of his turnings looked like anything good) So spent many hours sanding and getting the tolerances right, Couldnt do anything about the pitting on the ways but it seems to still be true to the headstock so I think I am ok there.

I am just waiting on the new tool rests from Rick, (out for deliver TODAY!) and the decal set from Teknatool to get here so I didnt have to recreate them! Other then that she is ready for work!

I think it came out ok I could have spent more time on the sanding but it is after all cast iron and a tool so....

 

[egnald]

I think what you are doing is really cool. I've never tackled anything quite on this scale, but I love that sense of self gratification whenever I restore things - even little things, like cleaning the rust off of a 3-pound hammer, painting it, and putting on a new hickory handle. Something old, tired, and worn out becomes new again! - Really Cool Indeed. - Dave

 

[bsshog40]

Nice job! I have an old small craftsman lathe that my ex-neighbor gave me after her husband passed. He use to make his own golf club shafts. We use to golf together. Anyway, I took it all apart and cleaned it up and it still works great. It still has all the old craftsman turning tools also. I don't use it but I keep it cause it was his.

 

[derekdd]

Nice job restoring what should be a reliable lathe.

I'm not sure I'd have the patience for that.

 

[ccccchunt]

Nice job!!! I just got done restoring a 1940/50's Atlas Power King 12" bandsaw. Upgraded to 1.5HP motor and this thing is a BEAST! Does pretty much anything I want it to do now. And left the outside with the patina green paint like it was when original. Pretty sure it originally came from the Naval Shipyard out here because it was adorned with a nice old pin-up girl that adds to the character of the saw.

 

[greenacres2]

Looks like a lot of green wood turning, and not cleaning up at the end of the sessions. Makes me appreciate the stainless steel ways on my Robust. I can't imagine turning green bowls on my small lathe--i'd need to stand on a trampoline to keep up with the lathe!! (been there, bought the t-shirt. And the Robust!!)

Edit--great job on the restoration!!!
earl

 

[Jans husband]

I think what you are doing is really cool. I've never tackled anything quite on this scale, but I love that sense of self gratification whenever I restore things - even little things, like cleaning the rust off of a 3-pound hammer, painting it, and putting on a new hickory handle. Something old, tired, and worn out becomes new again! - Really Cool Indeed. - Dave

Your reply made me chuckle Dave, I also like restoring old tools, but I always chuckle to myself thinking about Triggers Broom in Fools and Horses!!
I don't know if you have the comedy show over in the USA, but I'm sure you can Google the clip and laugh along.

Mike

 

[Bryguy]

Nice Job. Looks like the previous owner beat it with a pipe when things didn't go his way! I have a Comet II and love it.

 

[TDahl]

Nice Job!

 

[DennisM]

Update: Upon putting the new chuck on it, noticed a Massive Wobble in the spindle. So Ordered a new spindle and indexing pully, plus a couple bearings. (Guess I am doing a damn near full restoration on it now)
The amount of rust on the bearing raceways was insane, I have one new bearing installed in the input side already waiting on the new spindle to do the rest now. Argg

 

[Jarod888]

Congrats on doing all the restoration. I had a Comet II, but I gave it away to someone who could use it. I never cared much for it. I never found it to be all that accurate and it just seemed "cheap". The one thing I did that seemed to be really useful was to form a piece sheet metal to the shape of the cover and then contact cemented it on. It made a great place for putting magnets and such.

 

[DennisM]

She's coming along. New spindle and pully comes tomorrow, and the decal sheet that techno tool sent didn't have the decal for the belt guard cuz I think it was for the Dr model not the original so I'm going to have to print a new one of those at work today

 

[DennisM]

Final update. New spindle, pully and bearings are in. No wobble. Had to make the decal for the belt cover as it wany on tbr decal Sheet from #teknatool.

But she's is finished!

 

[Smokey S]

Excellent restoration project completed in detail. I am getting close to following down your pathway. A fiend and long time woodturner from the Coastlal Bend Woodturners recentlypassed away and I have purchased his well used Jet 16X40EVS lathe. Planning on picking it up next weekend, hopefully will have enough help to move it out of his shop. It definitely is stained from the greenwood tannins and it has some age on it. I enjoy projects like this. As usual going in there are always other discoveries that are found the more you get into it. It will be as new as your Nova Comet when completed. Thanks for the inspiration…………Smokey