Ammco brake lathe questions

[xafuel705]

First question regarding an ammco brake lathe I have is what is this thing mounted below the power switch used for?


And my second question is regarding the rod sticking out the back of the lathe. I dont see any function for this rod and I would like to shorten it up so I can move the lathe closer to the wall if possible.

 

[Andy1234]

First question regarding an ammco brake lathe I have is what is this thing mounted below the power switch used for?


And my second question is regarding the rod sticking out the back of the lathe. I dont see any function for this rod and I would like to shorten it up so I can move the lathe closer to the wall if possible.

The thing below the power switch is a combination diamond dresser tool that was strapped to a brake drum to dress a toolpost mounted grinder / kill switch for the lathe (when it was pulled out and strapped to a drum, it opened an electrical circuit preventing the lathe from powering up). As very few drums are ground nowadays, it can safely be removed and bypassed by a competent electrician.

The tube behind the lathe can't be shortened; its a protective cover for a guide rod that slides in and out as the toolpost is fed in and out.

 

[xafuel705]

Thank you for the info.