I just picked up an old and somewhat rusty lathe but can't figure out
what it is, so I'll describe it as best I can. It was in a place with
a fire not too long ago, and the lathe got put outside so there was a
fair bit of surface rust, but not much deep rust. I'm sure the ways
are beyond salvage, but there are lots and lots of parts.

The details:
10" swing, about 18" between centers;
Flat ways, 2 1/2" x 1/2" with only 1/2" between the ways;
1 1/2"-8 TPI spindle, but I think it's an MT2 spindle;
MT2 tailstock;
Threading gears are 3/4" hub with double 3/16" keyway;
The apron is odd in that the half nut lever is to the left of the
carriage crank;
Backgears;
The headstock is under thin metal, and the door with the threading
chart is wood. The pulleys on the countershaft are wood. The pulleys
in the headstock don't feel like metal, but I can't yet tell what they
are. I'm not sure about how much of the countershaft or headstock
casing are original.

The seller told me it was from Sears, but I can't find any markings
other than a J in a red diamond on the front of the headstock.

General appearance leads me to believe maybe around the 30's or 40's.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bruno

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 00:49:25 GMT, Bruno wrote:

I just picked up an old and somewhat rusty lathe but can't figure out
what it is, so I'll describe it as best I can. It was in a place with
a fire not too long ago, and the lathe got put outside so there was a
fair bit of surface rust, but not much deep rust. I'm sure the ways
are beyond salvage, but there are lots and lots of parts.

The details:
10" swing, about 18" between centers;
Flat ways, 2 1/2" x 1/2" with only 1/2" between the ways;
1 1/2"-8 TPI spindle, but I think it's an MT2 spindle;
MT2 tailstock;
Threading gears are 3/4" hub with double 3/16" keyway;
The apron is odd in that the half nut lever is to the left of the
carriage crank;
Backgears;
The headstock is under thin metal, and the door with the threading
chart is wood. The pulleys on the countershaft are wood. The pulleys
in the headstock don't feel like metal, but I can't yet tell what they
are. I'm not sure about how much of the countershaft or headstock
casing are original.

The seller told me it was from Sears, but I can't find any markings
other than a J in a red diamond on the front of the headstock.

General appearance leads me to believe maybe around the 30's or 40's.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bruno

http://www.lathes.co.uk/jen%2Dson/

Maybe?

Rich

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 00:49:25 GMT, Bruno wrote:

I just picked up an old and somewhat rusty lathe but can't figure out
what it is, so I'll describe it as best I can. It was in a place with
a fire not too long ago, and the lathe got put outside so there was a
fair bit of surface rust, but not much deep rust. I'm sure the ways
are beyond salvage, but there are lots and lots of parts.

The details:
10" swing, about 18" between centers;
Flat ways, 2 1/2" x 1/2" with only 1/2" between the ways;
1 1/2"-8 TPI spindle, but I think it's an MT2 spindle;
MT2 tailstock;
Threading gears are 3/4" hub with double 3/16" keyway;
The apron is odd in that the half nut lever is to the left of the
carriage crank;
Backgears;
The headstock is under thin metal, and the door with the threading
chart is wood. The pulleys on the countershaft are wood. The pulleys
in the headstock don't feel like metal, but I can't yet tell what they
are. I'm not sure about how much of the countershaft or headstock
casing are original.

The seller told me it was from Sears, but I can't find any markings
other than a J in a red diamond on the front of the headstock.

General appearance leads me to believe maybe around the 30's or 40's.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bruno


Atlas

http://www.lathes.co.uk/atlas/index.html

Wander around in the website...

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 00:49:25 GMT, Bruno wrote:

I just picked up an old and somewhat rusty lathe but can't figure out
what it is, so I'll describe it as best I can. It was in a place with
a fire not too long ago, and the lathe got put outside so there was a
fair bit of surface rust, but not much deep rust. I'm sure the ways
are beyond salvage, but there are lots and lots of parts.

The details:
10" swing, about 18" between centers;
Flat ways, 2 1/2" x 1/2" with only 1/2" between the ways;
1 1/2"-8 TPI spindle, but I think it's an MT2 spindle;
MT2 tailstock;
Threading gears are 3/4" hub with double 3/16" keyway;
The apron is odd in that the half nut lever is to the left of the
carriage crank;
Backgears;
The headstock is under thin metal, and the door with the threading
chart is wood. The pulleys on the countershaft are wood. The pulleys
in the headstock don't feel like metal, but I can't yet tell what they
are. I'm not sure about how much of the countershaft or headstock
casing are original.

The seller told me it was from Sears, but I can't find any markings
other than a J in a red diamond on the front of the headstock.

General appearance leads me to believe maybe around the 30's or 40's.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bruno


ohold on.... 1/2" between ways?


"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

I'd been through Tony's UK site before posting this and could not find
anything that looked like it. So, pictures are in the Mystery Lathe
folder here...

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno

Be interested in any opinions.

Thanks again,
Bruno




Bruno wrote:

I just picked up an old and somewhat rusty lathe but can't figure out
what it is, so I'll describe it as best I can. It was in a place with
a fire not too long ago, and the lathe got put outside so there was a
fair bit of surface rust, but not much deep rust. I'm sure the ways
are beyond salvage, but there are lots and lots of parts.

The details:
10" swing, about 18" between centers;
Flat ways, 2 1/2" x 1/2" with only 1/2" between the ways;
1 1/2"-8 TPI spindle, but I think it's an MT2 spindle;
MT2 tailstock;
Threading gears are 3/4" hub with double 3/16" keyway;
The apron is odd in that the half nut lever is to the left of the
carriage crank;
Backgears;
The headstock is under thin metal, and the door with the threading
chart is wood. The pulleys on the countershaft are wood. The pulleys
in the headstock don't feel like metal, but I can't yet tell what they
are. I'm not sure about how much of the countershaft or headstock
casing are original.

The seller told me it was from Sears, but I can't find any markings
other than a J in a red diamond on the front of the headstock.

General appearance leads me to believe maybe around the 30's or 40's.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bruno

On or around Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:53:04 GMT, Bruno
enlightened us thusly:

I'd been through Tony's UK site before posting this and could not find
anything that looked like it. So, pictures are in the Mystery Lathe
folder here...

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno

Be interested in any opinions.

does look old. Is Tony's site still active, anyone know? I've got a
mystery lathe in his "mystery lathes" section ...

The seller told me it was from Sears, but I can't find any markings
other than a J in a red diamond on the front of the headstock.

General appearance leads me to believe maybe around the 30's or 40's.

does look quite old. I'd suggest that the wooden cover for the changewheel
bit is a replacement, not original.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Too Busy: Your mind is like a motorway. Sometimes it can be jammed by
too much traffic. Avoid the jams by never using your mind on a
Bank Holiday weekend.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:53:04 GMT, Bruno wrote:

I'd been through Tony's UK site before posting this and could not find
anything that looked like it. So, pictures are in the Mystery Lathe
folder here...

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno

Be interested in any opinions.

Thanks again,
Bruno


GACK!!!!!!!!!

Toto...I dont think we are in Kansas anymore....

Ive never seen one like it before.

Gunner







Bruno wrote:

I just picked up an old and somewhat rusty lathe but can't figure out
what it is, so I'll describe it as best I can. It was in a place with
a fire not too long ago, and the lathe got put outside so there was a
fair bit of surface rust, but not much deep rust. I'm sure the ways
are beyond salvage, but there are lots and lots of parts.

The details:
10" swing, about 18" between centers;
Flat ways, 2 1/2" x 1/2" with only 1/2" between the ways;
1 1/2"-8 TPI spindle, but I think it's an MT2 spindle;
MT2 tailstock;
Threading gears are 3/4" hub with double 3/16" keyway;
The apron is odd in that the half nut lever is to the left of the
carriage crank;
Backgears;
The headstock is under thin metal, and the door with the threading
chart is wood. The pulleys on the countershaft are wood. The pulleys
in the headstock don't feel like metal, but I can't yet tell what they
are. I'm not sure about how much of the countershaft or headstock
casing are original.

The seller told me it was from Sears, but I can't find any markings
other than a J in a red diamond on the front of the headstock.

General appearance leads me to believe maybe around the 30's or 40's.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bruno

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 21:22:50 GMT, Gunner Asch wrote:
On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:53:04 GMT, Bruno wrote:

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno
Be interested in any opinions.

GACK!!!!!!!!!

Shame to see a machine, any machine, in that state.

Toto...I dont think we are in Kansas anymore....
Ive never seen one like it before.

Wot, rusty, you mean?

I'd be concerned that if it was in a fire, that even the parts that are
apparently salvagable might have some metallurgy problems.
The aluminum (?) plate shown in picture 8 of 9 looks like it got pretty
hot. Then again, the wood (?!?) that it's on isn't scorched. Hard to
say.

I've been pully it apart and tentatively am thinking it's a rather
decently made home built lathe. I suspect the gearing setup and
leadscrew may have come from Atlas parts. The half nut mechanism turns
up to engage, so I suspect this is proper unit that has been installed
upside down.

I'm sure the bed will be going to the recycle yard, and whatever I can
salvage will be salvaged.

Good thing is that it came along with a couple nice chucks, all the
change gears, steady and follow rests (which may be adaptable),
collets and a collet chuck, lots of tool holders, etc.

I don't think I mentioned that the countershaft pulleys are made of
wood, and bracketed with a Ford connecting rods (so claims the seller,
who knows cars but not lathes).

-Bruno


Gunner Asch wrote:

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:53:04 GMT, Bruno wrote:

I'd been through Tony's UK site before posting this and could not find
anything that looked like it. So, pictures are in the Mystery Lathe
folder here...

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno

Be interested in any opinions.

Thanks again,
Bruno


GACK!!!!!!!!!

Toto...I dont think we are in Kansas anymore....

Ive never seen one like it before.

Gunner







Bruno wrote:

I just picked up an old and somewhat rusty lathe but can't figure out
what it is, so I'll describe it as best I can. It was in a place with
a fire not too long ago, and the lathe got put outside so there was a
fair bit of surface rust, but not much deep rust. I'm sure the ways
are beyond salvage, but there are lots and lots of parts.

The details:
10" swing, about 18" between centers;
Flat ways, 2 1/2" x 1/2" with only 1/2" between the ways;
1 1/2"-8 TPI spindle, but I think it's an MT2 spindle;
MT2 tailstock;
Threading gears are 3/4" hub with double 3/16" keyway;
The apron is odd in that the half nut lever is to the left of the
carriage crank;
Backgears;
The headstock is under thin metal, and the door with the threading
chart is wood. The pulleys on the countershaft are wood. The pulleys
in the headstock don't feel like metal, but I can't yet tell what they
are. I'm not sure about how much of the countershaft or headstock
casing are original.

The seller told me it was from Sears, but I can't find any markings
other than a J in a red diamond on the front of the headstock.

General appearance leads me to believe maybe around the 30's or 40's.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bruno

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

Dave Hinz wrote:

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 21:22:50 GMT, Gunner Asch wrote:
On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:53:04 GMT, Bruno wrote:

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno
Be interested in any opinions.

GACK!!!!!!!!!

Shame to see a machine, any machine, in that state.

Toto...I dont think we are in Kansas anymore....
Ive never seen one like it before.

Wot, rusty, you mean?

I'd be concerned that if it was in a fire, that even the parts that are
apparently salvagable might have some metallurgy problems.
The aluminum (?) plate shown in picture 8 of 9 looks like it got pretty
hot. Then again, the wood (?!?) that it's on isn't scorched. Hard to
say.


I don't see any evidence that the lathe was anywhere near the fire.
Just near the water.

-Bruno

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 21:45:01 GMT, Bruno wrote:
Dave Hinz wrote:

I'd be concerned that if it was in a fire, that even the parts that are
apparently salvagable might have some metallurgy problems.
The aluminum (?) plate shown in picture 8 of 9 looks like it got pretty
hot. Then again, the wood (?!?) that it's on isn't scorched. Hard to
say.

I don't see any evidence that the lathe was anywhere near the fire.
Just near the water.

I got an anvil out of a fire (I was at the fire as a firefighter, but
bought the anvil afterwards, at the auction, just to clarify). It had a
powdery red rust on it. Not sure if that's typical. Is there any paint
blistering? (is there any paint?)

The fact that that wood cover is intact tells us that yes, that's
probably just rain rust, not fire rust. So the ways, the rack, and the
screws are probably, well, screwed, but whatever that leaves might be
OK.

Bruno wrote:
I've been pully it apart and tentatively am thinking it's a rather
decently made home built lathe. I suspect the gearing setup and
leadscrew may have come from Atlas parts.

Looking at the way they braced the milling adapter, that's probably
not a bad guess.
--Glenn Lyford

On 13 Dec 2005 21:41:34 GMT, Dave Hinz wrote:

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 21:22:50 GMT, Gunner Asch wrote:
On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:53:04 GMT, Bruno wrote:

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno
Be interested in any opinions.

GACK!!!!!!!!!

Shame to see a machine, any machine, in that state.

That too.

Toto...I dont think we are in Kansas anymore....
Ive never seen one like it before.

Wot, rusty, you mean?

I'd be concerned that if it was in a fire, that even the parts that are
apparently salvagable might have some metallurgy problems.
The aluminum (?) plate shown in picture 8 of 9 looks like it got pretty
hot. Then again, the wood (?!?) that it's on isn't scorched. Hard to
say.


Na...Ive dragged home worse looking carcasses..tho damned few..

Its the mix mash of features, and some of their locations. Notice
where the half nut lever is located? Most..not all..but most US
machines had it to the right, not the left.

There are a number of other similar things..shrug

Gunner


"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

On 13 Dec 2005 21:58:48 GMT, Dave Hinz wrote:

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 21:45:01 GMT, Bruno wrote:
Dave Hinz wrote:

I'd be concerned that if it was in a fire, that even the parts that are
apparently salvagable might have some metallurgy problems.
The aluminum (?) plate shown in picture 8 of 9 looks like it got pretty
hot. Then again, the wood (?!?) that it's on isn't scorched. Hard to
say.

I don't see any evidence that the lathe was anywhere near the fire.
Just near the water.

I got an anvil out of a fire (I was at the fire as a firefighter, but
bought the anvil afterwards, at the auction, just to clarify). It had a
powdery red rust on it. Not sure if that's typical. Is there any paint
blistering? (is there any paint?)

The fact that that wood cover is intact tells us that yes, that's
probably just rain rust, not fire rust. So the ways, the rack, and the
screws are probably, well, screwed, but whatever that leaves might be
OK.

Ive purchased a number of firearms that have been in or near
fires..and the various gases generated in fires tends to be a hell
brew, and the residues settle out on bare metals..and collect water,
moisture etc and then the chemical reactions set in. Pitting is the
usual issue, even though the metal never lost the heat treat..some are
so deeply pitted that they are unsafe to shoot.

Ive got what must have been a marvelous Mannlicher Shconaur sporting
rifle on the To Do list at the moment. It got hot though..melted what
appears to be the aluminum spacer at the back of the rotary magazine.
Springs still seem pretty good, but the bolt is frozen shut. I need
to break it down, and do a heat treat test of the receiver etc. Same
with a 97 Win..that has a warped barrel from the heat.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:53:04 GMT, Bruno wrote:

I'd been through Tony's UK site before posting this and could not find
anything that looked like it. So, pictures are in the Mystery Lathe
folder here...


The age may be a fooler. Someone mentioned it might have been purchased
from Sears.

It has a lot of features that make it look like a cheaped-down Atlas, except
I can't remember any Atlas with the ways that close together. Maybe an
"Atlas-like" Sears copy?

LLoyd

"Bruno" wrote in message
...
I'd been through Tony's UK site before posting this and could not find
anything that looked like it. So, pictures are in the Mystery Lathe
folder here...

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno

Be interested in any opinions.

Have a _good_ close look at the threading chart. I bet you'll find a clue
there, but as someone else said, you may wel have a home-made lathe that
used bits from somethong else.

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 18:53:04 GMT, Bruno wrote:

I'd been through Tony's UK site before posting this and could not find
anything that looked like it. So, pictures are in the Mystery Lathe
folder here...

http://photos.yahoo.com/azbruno


It appears to be an Atlas... marketed by Sears under the "Craftsman"
name. Possibly a mid to late 1970's model. Any stamped numbers would
aid in identification.

I do believe I disagree. I _have_ a mid-70's Craftsman (real Atlas). The
ways are not that closely spaced, the compound is different, and there are a
few minor look-n-feel differences from the one shown. However, this one
does have the _general_ look of an Atlas.

About 1981, Sears offered a cheaped-down Chinese lathe with a bushed
headstock instead of Timkens, and with a number of features that made it
look somewhat like their Craftsman-labeled Atlas lathes. This might be that
product.

LLoyd