Need help with wood lathe ID

[MercLSU]

I picked this lathe up a while back in trade and am just now getting to uncover it. Offhand I don't see any markings or stamping on any of the pieces, but the paint is in pretty rough shape. I figure the large circular retainers / locks used to hold the compound slide, tool holder, and tailstock would give it away.

Anybody know who made this? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[hsvtoolfool]

Look at the bed for casting for clues. And that's an antique metal lathe, not a wood lathe. Wood lathes have a simple "steady rest" and don't have a carriage with toolholders and cross-slides. You can remove the carriage, clean up the lathe, make a steady rest, and you'll have a nice, heavy wood lathe for small jobs. But I think this lathe's days of making metal shavings is over. It's worth is around scrap metal prices.

 

[MercLSU]

Not picture is a wood turning tool rest / holder. There is no carriage on this nor is there any provision to mount one that I can find. The compound slide does fit but may not be original. I've seen them on other wood lathes, which I assume is for fine work. Based on the above I don't think it was ever designed to make metal shavings.

 

[woody 73]

Very interesting from the above members, good detective work!
OP you need to take everything apart and place the parts into some kind of electrolysis tank, then you can look for ID marks of any kind.

 

[gamescastspencer]

Duro metal products co

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[chstrumpetdude]

The compound slide could have been an accessory. My 1930s Cman had the option to purchase one to turn soft/small metal

 

[MercLSU]

Duro metal products co

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Yasssssss! Thank you very much.

http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=13609

 

[Packard V8]

The compound slide could have been an accessory. My 1930s Cman had the option to purchase one to turn soft/small metal

X2 - compound slides are a valuable option available on most better quality wood lathes, including my Delta. With a three or four jaw chuck and the slow speed jackshaft option, they are capable of crude, very light metal work.

jack vines