Need help identifying this lathe

mec9900

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I just got this lathe. The only markings on it is VS1236. It is a 12 inch swing by 36 inches between centers. Someone has rubbed out the manufacturer's name in front of the VS1236. I know it is Chinese made, someone on another site said it looked like an older FREJOTH. They were re-badged under many different names such as ENCO, ACRA, MORTON, and many others. If anyone has any information on it such as the manufacturer or owner's manual, parts list, I would like to here from you.
 

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Sometimes there are additional manufacturer's tags on lathes, on the back side near the motor is one place to look, also under the change gear cover. Look the lathe over closely for another data tag, maybe more than one. It definitely looks like an Asian made 12x36" to me. Most Asian lathes are slight variants of the original design, raw parts finished in different shops, and it is common that parts that look alike can be differently sized when checked closely, so sometimes not interchangeable, at least not without making the fits correct. Adding new metal can be more difficult than removing metal when adjusting to fit.
 
What Bob said.
It should have a data plate on the back near where the power is connected.
There is also often a removable panel over the electronics with a wiring diagram glued to the inside. The wiring diagram should have the brand also.

Someone must have not been happy with the machine that they went thru the effort to get the brand name off.
 
I've noticed that most Chinese-made lathes all seem to use the same slightly odd lettering font (tall and skinny letters). This one appears different, so maybe that's an indication of it being from elsewhere. Also, the grammar is correct on the labeling, another indication that it may be from a non-Chinese source.
 
I like the "DO NOT SHIFT TWO LEVERS ON TOP OF HEADSTOCK". Okay, I won't. But then, why are they there?
 
Sometimes there are additional manufacturer's tags on lathes, on the back side near the motor is one place to look, also under the change gear cover. Look the lathe over closely for another data tag, maybe more than one. It definitely looks like an Asian made 12x36" to me. Most Asian lathes are slight variants of the original design, raw parts finished in different shops, and it is common that parts that look alike can be differently sized when checked closely, so sometimes not interchangeable, at least not without making the fits correct. Adding new metal can be more difficult than removing metal when adjusting to fit.
I have had all the covers off and looked all over it for another tag. The only thing I have found is a serial number.
 
I like the "DO NOT SHIFT TWO LEVERS ON TOP OF HEADSTOCK". Okay, I won't. But then, why are they there?
I believe it should say DO NOT SHIFT WHEN RUNNING. The lever on the right is for high and low range. I am not sure about the one on the left. I hope to have it under power this weekend.
 
it appears to be an early to mid 80's unit for the looks.
it has the Enco type features
 
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