my 1920's lathe

[bubbles92]

What I believe I have is a Willimott - Ideal Lathe from the 1920's era.I found it at a garage sale here in oz. The lathe came complete with original tooling with hss tool holders, boring bar, various drills, etc. All the lathe needed was a real good clean up and a small rebuild. The previous owner bought the lathe at an deceased estate sale were the owner was a machinist therefore well looked after. He bought it with the intention of rebuilding it but never did and was reluctant to sell it to me. being a young fitter and turner (millwright) apprentice about to finish his apprenticeship I bought it and gave him 500 bucks for it. here's how it came. Sorry for the poor pictures posting a thread about this was an afterthought.

P.S If anyone can help me identify the date of manufacturer or the company who made this thing please send me a pm

 

[bubbles92]

This is what it looks like after the initial strip down to clean off most of the 90 year old gunk that's built up on everything i also made a stand to hold the counter shaft assembly, i used a bench grinder with a wire wheel attachment to clean up most of the mess that i could get at with it, and used the another 8" bench grinder with a linisher attachment using a scotch-brite belt to give it a smooth polished look on the handles etc

 

[2oolhound]

Well, that's one way to increase swing. Sorry, I can't help with the id.

 

[Fretters]

That's a nice looking machine. Info on Ideal/Willimott:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/ideal/

Well, that's one way to increase swing. Sorry, I can't help with the id.

The gap?

 

[Tim338]

Nice little gap bed lathe. The gap to those who don't know is to increase swing.

 

[Fretters]

Are gap beds not a commonly seen thing across there?

 

[bubbles92]

After making a detailed assessment of what the lathe needed i got the lathe to a "running" condition before I was satisfied that this thing had potential for a makeover i got stuck into the dis-assembly and prepped for painting used paint stripper to remove most of the paint and cleaned up with coarse emery tape. the last pic has the only identification "marking" on the lathe once again sorry for the poor pics but it says "R180" if that's any help to anyone. Enjoy
P.s Fretters these old lathes are a rare sight, Australian hercus lathes and Myford are quite common as wells as various "hafco" lathes

 

[2oolhound]

I confess, I was unfamiliar with gap bed lathes and wasn't sure if a po had carved out the bed like that or if it was factory. I like the t-slot on the apron. The overhang on the foot gives it an unusual appearance. It's an interesting project, kudos for taking it on!

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

WOW, I love that, I'd about give my left nut for one like it.
I have searched and searched with no luck so far.


.

 

[gus1962]

Wish I could help but that's a solid looking lathe. Love vintage tools and that's just worth it.

 

[Steinmetz]

Are gap beds not a commonly seen thing across there?

Typically, a removable section is positioned in the gap to provide continuous way surfaces. When a larger swing is required, the removable section is removed.

 

[Fretters]

P.s Fretters these old lathes are a rare sight, Australian hercus lathes and Myford are quite common as wells as various "hafco" lathes

Whereabouts are you located, country wise? Might be handy adding that info to your profile so it displays in your posts.

I confess, I was unfamiliar with gap bed lathes and wasn't sure if a po had carved out the bed like that or if it was factory. I like the t-slot on the apron.

The gap was quite common over here. It'd seem unusual to see an older lathe without one. It's only of any use when turning between centres or using the faceplate though. Once the chuck is on, the piece is usually beyond the gap.

Tee slots seem to be another thing we deviate quite a bit on too, as I found out a while ago. Seems that was something which never became common over there? Pretty much standard with smaller lathes to have at least a couple of slots, for example.

Typically, a removable section is positioned in the gap to provide continuous way surfaces. When a larger swing is required, the removable section is removed.

That's the setup we tended to have on the larger lathes, with the removable gap piece. The smaller lathes rarely had the gap piece though, just a permanently open gap.

 

[bubbles92]

Typically, a removable section is positioned in the gap to provide continuous way surfaces. When a larger swing is required, the removable section is removed.

This particular lathe came with no removable bed section, i don't think it ever did the gap has no "seat" or threaded holes where it could have possibly be mounted

 

[bubbles92]

Here's a few more pics of the progress i decided the leave the headstock bearings and assembly together for the moment as there's 0.2mm end float in the spindle and there is almost no run out with the chuck. This can easily taken up by adjusting the locking screw nut (I'm aware that the spindle length can grow with use but that shouldn't be an issue). At the moment everything is just placed on the bed, just for the photo

 

[bubbles92]

Okay so it has been a while, and Ive sorta forgotten to update this so as it stands now the lathe has been painted and is now assembled see pics below

 

[Zeke]

That's a tiny little thing built stout. Just about perfect for the home shop. Never seen on like that. I'd be on that like a duck on a June bug.

 

[bikeguy5]

looking good

 

[DekeT]

P.S If anyone can help me identify the date of manufacturer or the company who made this thing please send me a pm

Your project is looking great! To answer your question I would ask these guys.

http://www.owwm.org/viewforum.php?f=77&sid=6e751f0ff6ced675fa999b7199b31f49

 

[930dreamer]

Nice work on a vintage lathe.

 

[TOMOZ]

Did you find any details about your lathe
I have one very similar and also looking for details as well

 

[Remam]

I've seen that model of lathe before, and while many feel it's so close to the original "Willimott Ideal" design that it must have been a later version, I personally think it's got to be a slightly redesigned clone. We never did come to an agreement.

Anyway, here's a photo of my early short bed Ideal so folks can play "Spot the difference".
That red patch on the headstock is the remains of the original sticker, so this ones identity's not that ambiguous.

I've got a later long bed version buried under stuff on my bench too, but the headstock casting is still not the same as the one that the OP has. It's similar, but definatly a completely new casting. The whole design is too similar to be a coincidence, but unless it was a last ditch attempt by Willimott to streamline manufacture, or cut costs when the company started to hit hard times, it just feels like there's too much difference in the styling to be of the same parentage.