Wood Lathe
A 19th c. lathe with both headstock and tailstock of early design. The spindle turns on a babbet bearing at front and thrust bearing at the rear. The babbet bearing is adjustable by turning the cap screws, as is typical in early headstocks. The spindle is fitted with a 3" wide crowned wood pulley and a square tapered socket for centers. The tailstock ram is driven by an external screw underneath, rather than inside the quill. The bed is made from 2 wood 4x8 beams.
bed length = 101"
length between centers = 67"
center to bed clearance = 8" (16" swing)
center height from floor = 40"
The lathe is in working order for turning between centers. The block securing the headstock and the tool rest base are modern replacements. The front right leg has a crack which has been secured with a small carriage bolt (early repair). The fishtail drive is user made and the tailstock center is original. Both head and tail have the same square taper.
Powering old lathes
Care should be taken not to run old lathes at too high a speed. An ideal variable speed power source is the dc motor and controller salvaged from a treadmill (the modern kind that humans use to burn surplus calories). High end treadmills often have 2 hp motors. While they may cost over $1000 new, they can often be gotten a few months later at local auctions or Good Will stores for under $50. Mine provided a wealth of metal parts in addition to the lathe motor. I had powered this lathe with an old 1/2 hp ac motor, but slowed to around 600 rpm through line shafting.
end view
headstock with user made fish tail drive
tailstock
right end view
tool rest with replacement oak base
spindle with square tapered socket
user made square tapered spur
Price: $200 Buyer must pick up or arrange transport
Items reserved by email will be held 10 days and shipped upon receipt of your check. Please wait to mail your check or send Paypal payment until you receive email confirmation of your reservation.
Contact: Richard Van Vleck - Email: richard@americanartifacts.com
© 2007, American Artifacts, Taneytown, Maryland.
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