Thread: Please help id unusual lathe

G'day,
Hopefully this all comes through ok.
The photos are of an unusual lathe i am trying to help the owner identify.
The chuck is about 5 inches across (125mm), and the distance between centers is about 24 inches (600mm).

What is so unusual, to me, is that the carriage is not connected to any form of rack or leadscrew, but instead is moved manually to a point along the bed, and locked in place via the red knob from underneath. The tool holder is then moved through a limited range on motion via the slides on the carriage.

The only nameplate is from McPhersons, who i believe were sellers, not manufacturers.

Do you know about this style of lathe?
What is it?
Why the odd carriage setup?

Thanks
Des


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It would be a manufacturing lathe of some sort.

The Hardinge DV59 came in the same configuration. eg: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hardinge-DV...-/232281234821

Rivett 505, 507 & 606 lathes

Looks like a basic Rivett lathe for small toolroom work.

Thanks Rusty, that is a good match to what I saw.
The guy bought it to learn machining, but was perplexed to why it was different from everyone elses lathe. Now he can decide if he keeps it, or goes and gets a basic "normal " lathe with full lead screw and carriage travel.

Thanks
Des

I like the tool post, unusual! I take it the carriage is locked in place on the bed and only the cross slide and compound? slide are used? I've only ever seen that setup on very small watchmakers lathes.

The dead give away is the toolpost on Rivett lathes Des. Eveleigh Loco Works Toolroom had two of the 608?? precision lathes which I had the pleasure of using during the 1960s. An absolute dream to use on fiddly things. I often wonder what happened to them when the depot closed. They had the full set of accessories with them back then.

Nothing stamped on the back of the chip tray or bed?

It certainly looks well made and very poorly painted, although in seasonally appropriate colours, is this going to join your shed stable?

Caskwarrior,
It's not mine, just belongs to a friend of my parents. My stable is full, heavily modified Taig lathe, and a southbend 13b..
Even after the shed is built, I will have to be cautious about accumulating too many tools (who can believe this as a problem? )

Des

Originally Posted by desbromilow

Caskwarrior,
I will have to be cautious about accumulating too many tools

Des

That's just 'Crazy Talk'!