William Wixon wrote:

It's a Seneca Falls lathe. Quite old, but well known.

3. my main, most important question, wondering if anyone knows how to
either get it out/off completely or get it screwed back on to the turn screw
handle (photo "lathe4") there's a blind hole on the underside of the
decorative turning on the end of the tailstock (photo "lathe5"), i'm
wondering if maybe that's a hole for a spanner wrench to turn off that end
(like a threaded nut). i can't tell if that decorative turning is a
removable threaded "nut" or if it's an integral part of the casting.

(i tried to get the ram back on the thread by first, tapping gently the
tip of the live dead center (with a chunk of lead) while turning the handle,
that didn't work, then i put a long pipe clamp on it (forcing the live dead
center (and ram) back in towards the crank turn handle) and tightened it
while turning the handle and that didn't work either.)


Whack it gently with a wooden block until you can feel the threads starting
to engage by gently turning the handle. Then, keep the threads loose as you
whack it back some more. Don't try to retract the ram as soon as the
threads
engage, keep whacking it back and keeping the threads from binding for a
full turn of the handle. This will prevent ripping out the threads.
You probably
need some real penetrating oil, not WD-40. Lube the ram liberally as you
work it back in, and it should carry the penetrating oil into the casting.
If there is a keyway in the ram (pretty much has to be) make sure that is
not what is causing the bind-up. In fact, you might remove the key if
possible
(often a screw with a narrow cylinder point) you might be able to
improvise a
strap wrench and twist the ram to loosen it.



Worthless? On the commercial market, maybe. On the hobby market,
it is worth exactly whatever you PAID for it!

Jon