Tell Me About My Antique Watchmakers Lathe

[Jake S]

Greetings!

My name is Jake and I'm new to the forum. In fact, this is my first thread... ever... on any forum. So I apologize if this is in the wrong place or my pics aren't the right size. Please go easy on me.

I acquired this watchmakers lathe on Craigslist a few years ago. According to my research (which could be wrong) it was made in Switzerland in the late 1800's. I haven't been able to find a makers mark, but from what I've read, most of these lathes were unmarked. I believe it originally had geared hand crank but was unfortunately replaced with an aluminum step pulley. I've searched Google images for hours trying to find another like it, and although there are many out there with similar parts, I haven't found one just like it. Mainly paying attention to the adjustable headstock.

I've wanted to sell it for a while but I haven't been able to determine if it's worth $75 or $750. eBay's listings are all over the place. Some asking as high as $2650! I know this one isn't worth that much. Especially since it's missing the hand crank. But the cross slide and faceplate look identical to mine. Any info whatsoever would be greatly appreciated. I have more pics if needed.

 

[Steve Shannon]

I can't help with the valuation but you did very well at posting. Welcome to the forum!


Steve Shannon

 

[atlas ten]

Welcome to the forum. I cant tell you much about that exact lathe. It is interesting. I would think in the hundreds with the cross slide.
Jack

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[Andre]

Now that's a beautiful lathe. Honestly I wouldn't sell it, it's in such good condition you could put it on the mantel.

 

[brino]

Hi Jake,

Welcome to Hobby-Machinist!

I have NOT found google images to be very useful to help identify something, but only to find an example image of something I already recognize.....if that makes any sense.

A search of this site may be more productive: http://www.lathes.co.uk/
I have spent many hours just browsing around there. It is a fantastic site for seeing various machine tools and the "evolution" of them. It can be kind of hard to know where to start looking for an unknown manufacturer though......

To search that site try this text "watchmaker site: www.lathes.co.uk" without the quotes in google.
(or at www.duckduckgo.com a search that does not track everything you do!).

Just some of the hits I get with that search are:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/leinenmodern/
http://www.lathes.co.uk/adept.htm
http://www.lathes.co.uk/leinentradwatchmaker/index-2.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/verschoyle/index.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/leinenopticallathe/
http://www.lathes.co.uk/moseley/index-2.html

none of the above are exactly your lathe, but they are very interesting reading with many photos.
Also, it may lead you to where to look for manufacturer markings on yours.

I just found a page there with links to many "watchmakers" lathes.....this could keep you busy for hours:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/watchmaker/

I'll poke around over there and see if I find any like yours, I'll post back if I find it.

Good Luck!
-brino

 

[brino]

Here's one with a very similar headstock and tailstock shape: http://www.lathes.co.uk/glashutte/
...but not identical......and it has a triangular bed while yours is rectangular.

However, I do suspect that the base/mount you have is newer than the lathe.....

-brino

 

[Jake S]

Thanks for all your replies!

Steve, that's a relief! Thanks for the confirmation.

Atlas 10, the cross slide is sweet isn't it? The whole thing is made really well. The dovetails are super smooth and solid, even without gibs! I've never hooked it up to a motor but I'm sure it'd produce quality parts. I think I gave $125 for it 3 or 4 years ago.

Andre, thanks I think she's sexy too! But I need to replace the 2x4 with something nicer before she's mantle worthy. I say I want to sell it, and I would. But only to someone who loves it more than I do. My wife says I'm a hoarder for other people. I buy things with the intention of holding them for the "right person". Sometimes I find them and sometimes I don't.

Brino, thanks for the links. Those machines are works of art! I've gotten lost at www.lathes.co.uk a few times in the past too. Lots of great info. I've also used duckduckgo, Naked Browser, Tor, etc. But nothing compares to Google's algorithms. So unless I'm doing things I'm not supposed to , Google +VPN works for me.

The headstock in the last link you posted is the closest thing I've seen as well. Good looking out!

What makes you think the base/mount is newer? I assume you mean the square base that's attached to the 2x4 and not the 2x4 itself. I always thought that the only non-original parts were the spindle and stepped pulley. But I could be wrong. Here's a couple pics of it dismantled.




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[Jake S]

Does anyone have any tips on safely removing the surface rust? Or would attempting any type of restoration be a bad idea? If so, what type of preservation methods are safe?

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[Andre]

Steel wool and light oil has always worked great for me cleaning up old tools and still leaving patina. It gets the loose stuff off and burnishes oil into the surface helping prevent future rust. Don't put it in Evapo-rust or take sandpaper to it, it'll remove the staining and patina and could hurt its value.

 

[brino]

Hi Jake,

I spent over an hour just browsing thru all the links to "watchmakers" lathes. Lot's of fun.

What makes you think the base/mount is newer? I assume you mean the square base that's attached to the 2x4 and not the 2x4 itself.

You are correct I was talking about the steel plates, not the 2x4 (although I bet that's newer too....)
Nothing certain, it just looks to me that it's an "aftermarket addition"

• it doesn't look as old as the headstock and tailstock,
• it is made differently; it looks bolted together rather than cast and machined like the headstock/tailstock,
• it has different handles, and
  
• it doesn't resemble any other lathe bases on lathes.co.uk.

I cannot see enough detail in your original photo. Is it possible there is a manufacturers mark here:


-brino