Looking for parts for this old lathe. I know it needs a taper chuck. I have found no info on lathe. Have an old Ayla book I got with it but nothing in the book looks like it. Only going to use for wood lathe since to many parts are missing. Everything seems tight except for play in the taper chuck
Old lathe
- Thread starter DavidLC
- Start date
tombell572
Well-known member
Could be a Stark second operation metal lathe or one like it. Clean up and check the end of the lathe bed to see if there is a name stamped there. Here is some additional information: http://www.lathes.co.uk/stark/. At one time there were quite a few builders of these lathes: Ames, Pratt & Whitney, Potter to name a few. These lathes lacked change gears and a lead screw and were often fitted with a turret. Their function was to perform minor secondary or final work on pieces that had already been machined into their general form.
Tom B.
Tom B.
Packard V8
Well-known member
If you intend to do primarily woodturning, the three-jaw chuck is as much in the way as a benefit. Suggest removing it and sharing with us what mounting thread is on that spindle. With the chuck removed, you'll gain almost six inches of effective workpiece length. The chuck could still be installed if/when needed.
jack vines
Not clear on whether the loose taper is in the spindle bore or the tailstock bore.
jack vines
Bob-B
Well-known member
It could be an early Hardinge Cataract lathe. IIRC, Stark used an elliptical foot casting, and cast their name on the bed. Hardinge used round feet and a nameplate the may have been removed. Again, check http://www.lathes.co.uk/ and look under Hardinge.
I currently have both a #4 Stark and a 37C Cataract lathe that I'm trying to resurrect from the dead. Your lathe looks like a Cataract.
I currently have both a #4 Stark and a 37C Cataract lathe that I'm trying to resurrect from the dead. Your lathe looks like a Cataract.
alfadan
Well-known member
Looks like an old jeweler's lathe. Possibly search for 8mm jeweler's lathe, IIRC.
dutchgray
Well-known member
It's way to big to be a jeweller's lathe, but they do follow the same form as this plain lathe.
You can see where there used to be a name tag or information plate above the tailstock end foot.
Will make a nice small wood lathe I would think.
You can see where there used to be a name tag or information plate above the tailstock end foot.
Will make a nice small wood lathe I would think.
Maui
Well-known member
That is a Hardinge cataract lathe. Scroll down in the link to see photos of your lathe.
Cataract Lathes
Cataract Lathes - high-precision American-made for toolroom and experimental shop work
www.lathes.co.uk