Small drilling attachment?

[NJ Marty]

What would this have been for and what might the curved base have slid into? I am stumped on this one.
Thanks.

 

[Fretters]

The design of that says lathe headstock to me. The base may be part of a cut down bed.

 

[454ragtop]

X2, looks like the headstock and a piece of the bed to a watch makers lathe. Take a look here http://www.lathes.co.uk/watchmaker/
Jim

 

[NJ Marty]

All cleaned up. 24 hour bath in Evapo rust and wire wheel.

 

[jakemac]

All cleaned up. 24 hour bath in Evapo rust and wire wheel.

I'd keep it on my desk (if I had a desk) as a decorative paper weight.
Since I don't, I'd put in on the mantle in my mancave with my other "ManArt".

 

[Bob-B]

Many of the really old school small bench lathes offered grinding attachments. Could be one of those, less the drill chuck. Either way, it's cool. I agree with using it as a paperweight.

 

[TheModelAGuy]

Neat old piece, maybe a small drill press frame.

 

[MashBill]

Very cool piece. I can't believe how well that cleaned up. Great job!

 

[ViseSquad]

The sad remains of a watchmaker's lathe such as a Boley.

 

[Kevin54]

All cleaned up. 24 hour bath in Evapo rust and wire wheel.

I was going to say a tailstock but it is the drive side with a belt, so that would make it the headstock. Nonetheless......after cleaning it up, it looks great. Depending on the size, it would make a great desk or shelf item just for display. I LIKE it!!!!!

If you get some time, AND if you have a lathe or drill press, and if you have a large Norton Stone.......stone the top of the bed of the base, to put some shine on it, and if you have a lathe, or even a drill press, chuck up the chuck to another chuck so you can spin it and take some ribbon cloth to remove some of the pits. If the knurled knob is brass, then but some shine to it. The way it is now, it's probably beyond the use of precision work, but it is a very cool display piece of old workmanship, and very worthy of display. Maybe mount it to a piece of nice wood to help show it off.

Send it to me, and I'll work on it for you if you don't have the equipment. I think it is just a cool piece.

 

[Alta_Racer]

This reminds me of a wall mounted drill I once saw. It had a table below that had like a steering wheel on a threaded shaft to raise/lower a table.