Show off your vintage lathe.

[dastardly]

Hi guys all together now, the new motor has been wired up with a 3 phase forward, stop, reverse switch, just have to be a little careful when going into reverse as the chuck is screw on, the new motor is very quiet and 2hp seems to be plenty of power and torque, I did a bit of turning now don’t hate me but it was a piece of silky oak timber the job came out very nice but I found out the 3 jaw chuck isn’t turning true so I may have to give it a bit of attention, I’m not sure if the Jaws are hardened or not, has anyone turned the jaws down to get it back to running concentric, I would like to try and fix it before buying a new 3 jaw as I looking for a 4 jaw atm and by the way it was real nice doing a bit of turning again after 20 odd years away from a metal lathe and 6 moths ago if someone asked me if I’m looking to buy a metal lathe I would have said no, this lathe did just sort of spring herself onto me sort of right place at the right time, I still find myself starting into my shed wondering where to set her up in a permanent place of honour as I don’t want to move her more than once, once moved I can set her up, level her and make some chips, it has been a pleasure meeting you guys and thanks for your help I have learnt a lot about vintage machinery over the past months but it has left me wanting more vintage iron Craig

 

[MShaw]

If you machine the jaws a good first step is to drill an 1/8" hole in the end of each jaw. Then you can cut a ring from a piece of pipe and insert a pin in each hole and clamp the ring with the pins. This will hold the jaws "bell mouthed" as they would be in service when machining them.
If you use the usual spider at the back of the jaws the jaws will only clamp on the rear of the piece and not hold securely or accurately.

 

[dutchgray]

Coolant is wonderful stuff, but you need to clean religiously at then end of the day if you're not using it 12 hours a day, every day or it will get stuff rusty.

That's why its likely I'll never use it. It has its benefits but might not be worth the hassle.

Thanks

I put some in a trigger spray bottle and use it like that quite often when you only want a little, still need to clean and oil after.

 

[ez-duzit]

...the 3 jaw chuck isn’t turning true...

Check the runout between the chuck and its adapter back plate. Correct the runout at this interface, not by machining the jaws. If no runout here, then you could add soft jaws to machine.

 

[dastardly]

Thanks guys some good tips, I forgot to mention the chuck is screwed on, I have a reverse set of jaws I’m going to install these and see if I have the same runout
MShaw I have MS so drilling into the end of each jaw, I’m not sure I would be even near concentric I may make it worse than it is but I do know what you mean using this method to hold the jaws firm and concentric thanks Craig

 

[dastardly]

Hi guys I removed the chuck today, I found some PO had added a shim around the receiver Between it and the chuck I think this is causing my chuck not being concentric problem, I removed it and now the receiver is 0.020” smaller dia then the chuck,I centre punched around the receiver to enlarge it and then turned it down to fit the chuck but I should have faced it off as well but I was in a hurry so I will still need to do this, the body of the chuck is running true so I’m going to add some weld around the perimeter of the receiver and turn it down and face it off tomorrow or over the weekend, hope this makes a better fit, the chuck internal is in very good condition just a bit dirty no pitting at all what looks to be pitting on the pinion gears is just old dirty grease and you can see the shim that was installed by a PO and it’s a cushman chuck I hope it’s able to be restored Craig

 

[dastardly]

I installed the internal jaws late yesterday and they are running much closer to true so it looks like I need to search a set of jaws, I was turning with the tumbler gears disengage and the old girl is so quiet all you can hear is the electric motor running and the leather belt gliding on the old pulleys, thanks for following my adventures into my antique lathe Craig

 

[dastardly]

Check the runout between the chuck and its adapter back plate. Correct the runout at this interface, not by machining the jaws. If no runout here, then you could add soft jaws to machine.

Thanks for your help that’s what I did

 

[ez-duzit]

...I’m going to add some weld around the perimeter of the receiver and turn it down and face it off...

Welding will likely warp it.

 

[dastardly]

Hi I’m not going to run a big hot bead around it just small spaced sections around the perimeter then turn and face it Craig

 

[Yarz]

I just picked up my first lathe last week! I haven't touched one since high school shop class, and that was very brief. So I'm pretty excited!

This is a Lodge and Shipley - 14 x 36, I believe.
If I found the correct serial number (not where I've read it should be) then it would be a 1901-1902 model. I'm still trying to find out more/learn more.

It was adapted from a line shaft drive at some point, and now has a 2hp 110 or 220 motor, driven through some sort or transmission box (still trying to figure out what it is - if you recognize it, please let me know) to the leather belt drive.

It came with a 10" 3 jaw, a 14" 4 jaw (still haven't mounted it to make sure it fits), 2 steady rests (1 looks homemade, and 1 doesn't quite fit the ways, so I'm not sure it was originally for this machine), one lantern tool post and tool holder, and a drill chuck.

I've been doing some cleaning, oiling, and wiring to get it functional, but mostly been doing a ton of reading, trying to figure out what I have, what lever to pull, what knob to turn, where to oil, and how to start making some chips!

I'm interested to learn how to machine things. Thanks for making it look like such a needed skill.

 

[ducksface]

Does anyone need parts from my craftsman book rack?

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Nice lathe Yarz! Someone did a nice drive conversion on it. Serial numbers are usually stamped on the end of the ways.

If it is a 14" actual swing machine, I'd trade that 14" chuck to someone for a 12". You don't get any benefit over a 12" and it's tremendously more difficult to get up on there, puts more load on the bearings, reduces effective bed length etc.

 

[jabberwoki]

Wow that Lodge and Shipley is a gem... a real gem.
Nice offer Ducky.

 

[dastardly]

Hi Yarz very nice old lathe you have there an neat drive through the gearbox that will give you plenty of choices for speeds and finding all the oiling points I think I have over 20 points to oil so when operating I don’t need a chip pan rather a drip pan, enjoy your new toy Craig

 

[dastardly]

The gearbox on the L&S lathe who makes them as I have seen the same box on various lathes, I don’t need one just curious Craig

 

[hnix1001]

Well I bought this the other day and may have to go to Oklahoma to pick it up. I had no idea it was as big as it is. I am being told it weighs 20k lbs. Can anyone give me any insight on how good/bad of a machine this is. Here are the specs. I would post pics but my post count is too low. Thanks.
American Lathe
Model High Duty
S/N 68559-45

Specifications:
40" x 84"
28" Swing Over Cross Slide
12 Spindle Speeds
9 - 400 RPM
64 Feeds
.004 - .240 IPR
64 Threads
1/2 - 28 TPI

Equipped with:
Compound Swivle Tool
Tape Attachment
2 1/2" Spindle Hole
Steady Rest
Aloris Type Tool Post
4-Way Tool Post
28" 4-Jaw Chuck

 

[dastardly]

Hi hnix1001 that is a big lump of iron, your going to need a crane to lift the chuck alone, is it for home use, I hope you have 3 phase power have you looked at it or just pictures because they grow in real life good luck moving her enjoy it weights about 8x what mine does and mine is a lump to move Craig

 

[Milan454]

My SB13" war era lathe from the Nash Kelvinator plant

 

[jabberwoki]

Man that's a sweet old beaut , nice shop size too.

 

[Yarz]

I just realized I wasn't getting notifications of replies. Sorry for the delay.

Nice lathe Yarz! Someone did a nice drive conversion on it. Serial numbers are usually stamped on the end of the ways.

Thanks! I was reading they should be between the two rear V-ways, but what I found is in-between the front and rear.

If it is a 14" actual swing machine, I'd trade that 14" chuck to someone for a 12". You don't get any benefit over a 12" and it's tremendously more difficult to get up on there, puts more load on the bearings, reduces effective bed length etc.

Noted, thanks. I don't see myself doing precise enough work that I'd need more than a 3 jaw for a looooong time , but I will keep your suggestion in mind.

Wow that Lodge and Shipley is a gem... a real gem.

Hopefully I can one day work to a standard that matches it!

Hi Yarz very nice old lathe you have there an neat drive through the gearbox that will give you plenty of choices for speeds and finding all the oiling points I think I have over 20 points to oil so when operating I don’t need a chip pan rather a drip pan, enjoy your new toy Craig

I think I find more oil points every time I look at it

The gearbox on the L&S lathe who makes them as I have seen the same box on various lathes, I don’t need one just curious Craig

I have yet to see a name on it, but I do still want to clean it up a lot.. When I get time.. If I find one, I'll be sure to report back.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Well I bought this the other day and may have to go to Oklahoma to pick it up. I had no idea it was as big as it is. I am being told it weighs 20k lbs. Can anyone give me any insight on how good/bad of a machine this is. Here are the specs. I would post pics but my post count is too low. Thanks.
American Lathe
Model High Duty
S/N 68559-45

I mean, it's old American Tool Co. As good as they come within the budget, which was not lacking for the day. The later pacemakers were some of the best machines ever made.

It sounds like you're describing this one: http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1004/3602.pdf

I hope you're able to use a lathe that big. That's not a raised center lathe like a lot of modern ones. That is a true, to scale lathe. Meant to peel off an inch per pass. It really won't be useful for little stuff and you won't get a lot of feel for your work. I'd love to see some pictures of it though. Antique Machinery section on PM and particularly John Oder can give you a lot more help than we can. Looks like Greg Menke (on PM) uploaded that Bulletin to the web, he may have more info. But it could have just been a stack of bulletins he scanned, so no guarantee.

Noted, thanks. I don't see myself doing precise enough work that I'd need more than a 3 jaw for a looooong time , but I will keep your suggestion in mind.

You probably actually will, more than you think. A lot of well used 3 jaws repeat poorly, so when you flip a part features will be way out of concentricity. In addition, 4 jaws hold tighter, and they hold odd shaped parts which is incredibly important for repair work.

 

[ez-duzit]

...4 jaws hold tighter, and they hold odd shaped parts which is incredibly important for repair work.

And indispensable for square and octagonal stock.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Well I bought this the other day and may have to go to Oklahoma to pick it up. I had no idea it was as big as it is. I am being told it weighs 20k lbs. Can anyone give me any insight on how good/bad of a machine this is. Here are the specs. I would post pics but my post count is too low. Thanks.
American Lathe
Model High Duty
S/N 68559-45

Specifications:
40" x 84"
28" Swing Over Cross Slide
12 Spindle Speeds
9 - 400 RPM
64 Feeds
.004 - .240 IPR
64 Threads
1/2 - 28 TPI

Equipped with:
Compound Swivle Tool
Tape Attachment
2 1/2" Spindle Hole
Steady Rest
Aloris Type Tool Post
4-Way Tool Post
28" 4-Jaw Chuck

You held out on us on the pictures man! She's a beaut. Good luck re-homing her.

 

[poppinjohnnies]

Here's my old 16 inch Leblond. I'd like to find out what year this thing was made. I am in the process of moving it from the barn to my new workshop, and I'm anxious to get power to her and make some chips.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Here's my old 16 inch Leblond. I'd like to find out what year this thing was made. I am in the process of moving it from the barn to my new workshop, and I'm anxious to get power to her and make some chips.

That's a cool old machine! Drive adaptation looks very well done. I love the T-slots in the carriage, I wish all lathes had that.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Here is my 1943 Sidney 16x54 lathe I just finished restoring. This thing is totally worn out and wasn't worth restoring, but it works well for roughing work in to finish on a smaller machine. I had to re-do basically everything, even parts of the headstock. Other than the headstock it was 100% stripped, cleaned, oiled, repainted, etc. Ah well, preserving history and all that jazz.

View media item 106705
View media item 107324
There is a link in my sig for the full documentation.

 

[whateg01]

Here is my 1943 Sidney 16x54 lathe I just finished restoring. This thing is totally worn out and wasn't worth restoring, ...]
.

That's never stopped me from doing so!

 

[ClappedOutBport]

That's never stopped me from doing so!

Me neither apparently! But I could have gone through 2 or 3 decent ones in the same time and for similar money (each) if I had of just waited longer or could travel further. That level of wear starts really causing issues.

 

[DocsMachine]

July 23rd:



October 24th:



-Not quite complete yet, I have a guy building me a new set of magnetic starters (two-speed "consequent pole" motor- and I can barely get the batteries in the flashlight right way up two tries out of three ) and I still need to get the coolant/cutting oil pump plumbed up.

But if anyone's interested in the build- all five hundred plus photos of it, including my numerous screwups in full glorious color - the build thread can be found on my board, The Tinker's Guild.

Doc.

 

[ez-duzit]

D--good looking machine.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Here is my 1943 Sidney 16x54 lathe I just finished restoring. This thing is totally worn out and wasn't worth restoring, but it works well for roughing work in to finish on a smaller machine. I had to re-do basically everything, even parts of the headstock. Other than the headstock it was 100% stripped, cleaned, oiled, repainted, etc. Ah well, preserving history and all that jazz.

Good job going through that old girl COB. You showed great perseverance on that project fighting through a lot of tough challenges along the way. It's hard to fully appreciate just what goes into a full tear down and restoration until you've been through it. The value of very difficult projects is often that they pay in experience gained, and satisfaction earned at completion. Ed.

-Not quite complete yet, I have a guy building me a new set of magnetic starters (two-speed "consequent pole" motor- and I can barely get the batteries in the flashlight right way up two tries out of three ) and I still need to get the coolant/cutting oil pump plumbed up.

But if anyone's interested in the build- all five hundred plus photos of it, including my numerous screwups in full glorious color - the build thread can be found on my board, The Tinker's Guild.

Doc.

Nice job on the WS Doc. I think that is the first Warner Swasey I've seen get the full treatment. You probably even have some work lined up for it. That thing may challenge a cnc for speed on certain part runs. Looks great. Ed.

 

[Provincial]

Having run a #4 for a (thankfully) limited amount of time, I'll warn you that that thing will work your a** off if you use it properly!

Nice work!

 

[jabberwoki]

Well I bought this the other day and may have to go to Oklahoma to pick it up. I had no idea it was as big as it is. I am being told it weighs 20k lbs. Can anyone give me any insight on how good/bad of a machine this is. Here are the specs. I would post pics but my post count is too low. Thanks.
American Lathe
Model High Duty
S/N 68559-45

Specifications:
40" x 84"
28" Swing Over Cross Slide
12 Spindle Speeds
9 - 400 RPM
64 Feeds
.004 - .240 IPR
64 Threads
1/2 - 28 TPI

Equipped with:
Compound Swivle Tool
Tape Attachment
2 1/2" Spindle Hole
Steady Rest
Aloris Type Tool Post
4-Way Tool Post
28" 4-Jaw Chuck

That is a hell of a machine , just the looks alone make it worth while.

 

[DocsMachine]

Nice job on the WS Doc. I think that is the first Warner Swasey I've seen get the full treatment.

Yep. Only other turret lathe I've ever seen cleaned up is a guy with a reloading channel has a YouTube video also on a No.2. From the sound if it, though, his was little more than a wrap-and-squirt job. I fully dug into mine, except for the headstock, and had to make a few repairs (including a couple of things I screwed up. )

Really, nobody picks up an old turret and blings it out like they do 10EEs or even Southbends.

I didn't originally want to turn it into a project- really, I wanted, and kind of needed to, put it right to work- but I'm kind of glad I did. It's something like eighty years old as it sits (made in 1939) and now, I have no doubt it'll last eighty more. (I intend to use the piss out of it, but no matter how hard I work it, it won't be nearly as hard as it was almost certainly worked in WW2.)

Doc.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Really, nobody picks up an old turret and blings it out like they do 10EEs or even Southbends.


Doc.

You have never seen a Gahr rebuild in person, they are every bit a complete cosmetic/mechanical restoration.

Your lil #2 looks good, hope you make piles of chips.

Steve

 

[DocsMachine]

You have never seen a Gahr rebuild in person, they are every bit a complete cosmetic/mechanical restoration.

-Those guys are more 'industrial' rebuilders. I meant more like the home-shop type. Lots of home-shop types have spiffed up things like 10EEs, Southbends and even Atlases- and over on PM, Hendeys, Rivetts, Pacemakers and the bigger Monarchs- but not Warner & Swaseys.

Smaller turrets like Wades, Rivetts or Hardinge, sure, but I have yet to run across anyone but me and that reloader dude who has hotrodded a W&S.

Doc.

 

[DocsMachine]

July 23rd:



October 24th:

-November 20th:



Finally, after just short of four months, and over six hundred photos, she's fully operational, and very close to 100% done. She runs like a champ and I can't wait to start makin' proper chips with it!

Doc.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No lathe to show off, but I did find this "SOUTH BEND LATHE WORKS" tool post wrench today at the flea market rooting through an old toolbox with a crapload of tool post wrenches, mainly Williams and B&S. This one caught my eye immediately. Marked "No. 253" on the flip side.

 

[DocsMachine]

-November 20th:

-December 22nd:



Just a day short of five months later, fully rebuilt and now 100% mechanically complete! She just needs a little adjustment, some cutting oil, and to be tooled up for her first job!

Doc.