[Lathe] Anyone Know How Old This Lathe Might Be ???

[chip maker]

Went to a small rail train attraction yesterday and they had this machine on display. They also had another but this one really cought my eye. Seems to be pedal operated. I have never seen this before in a lathe. The people at the attraction said that they had no positive id on it but just guesed it to be from the 40's. Just thought people may like to see this lathe.

 

[schor]

I'd guess somewhere around 1900. Very similar to Pfeil lathes. You can find pfeil on lathes.co.uk.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

i'll guess pre 1900 because of the pedal power, but it's only a guess

 

[chips&more]

That is called a “treadle “ metal lathe. I do not know the exact period in history, so I will leave that up to another member. The treadle is still a method of power used today! But not in my shop, I love my VFD too much. And I also cannot positively ID the Lathe...Good Luck, Dave.

 

[brino]

Hi Chip Maker,

I cannot identify it by site either, however, treadle-power metal-cutting lathes have certainly been around.
Often the manufacturers put their name on those curvaceous legs. However, even more often those legs (and pedals) are long gone.

As stated above the site http://www.lathes.co.uk/ is a great place to help identify old equipment, but it's tough to search when you have no idea of manufacturer. One hint is to use this into google or equivalent web search bar "site: lathes.co.uk treadle" (without the quotes!).

The first three hits I get from that search are:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/goodell-pratt/page3.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/barnes/index.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/pfeil/

That first link above shows a neat scroll-saw add-on table for the lathe.
I have one of the old Barnes 4-1/2" models with dual lead screw, but the legs and pedals are gone, previous owners converted it to motor power.

I think I'll keep poking around over there and see if I can stumble across the one you saw....I'll post again if I find it.....

Thanks for the distraction!
-brino

 

[brino]

I was originally thinking it had aspects of the Drummond lathe:

But even closer is the Goodwin:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/goodwin/
-(almost) flat bearing caps
-square ways
-lead-screw bearing supports bolted onto the front
-but the tail-stock is not right.....

oh well, had some fun looking

-brino

 

[Fitter Bill]

A few years back, Roy Underhill from the PBS Show, " The Woodwrights Shop" cut some threads on a foot powered lathe. Something to look at....
http://video.pbs.org/video/2296983856/

Bill

 

[chip maker]

After all this interest I wish that I looked a little closer at this Lathe. If I would have had this info I would have asked if I could look closer to try to find a name. The lathe was fenced off but the people were really nice so I would think they may have given me the permission to get closer to it. If I get up that way again in the near future I will for sure check it out again. Thanks again for the feed back and am still looking forware to mybe finding a model and age.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

A few years back, Roy Underhill from the PBS Show, " The Woodwrights Shop" cut some threads on a foot powered lathe. Something to look at....
http://video.pbs.org/video/2296983856/

Bill

Thanks for sharing Bill,
i watch the Woodwright's Shop whenever i can!
i couldn't help but to smile while i was watching the video!
i get just as giddy as he does when i'm in the shop

 

[chips&more]

Watching Roy run a vintage metal lathe makes you wonder why todays machinist/metal hobbyist cry out for Carbide, Quick change tool posts, Adj Tru Chucks, VFD’s, Quick change gear box, CNC and I could go on and on. The machinist of yesteryear had pure talent and with only the basic tools made masterpieces. The watch and clocks of that period are excellent examples. Oh well, back to my air conditioned shop to listen to the radio and dream about making a chronometer…Dave.