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Thread: Jeffco Lathes

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
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    Default Jeffco Lathes

    I've seen mention around the forums that there's still a few out there. Anyone got some photo's?

    Jeffco lathes, made by Jeffress Bros. Ltd. Machine tool manufacturers, Northgate Rd, Northgate, Brisbane, Queensland.

    An advertisement confirming the lathe is produced by Jeffress: 11 Dec 1951 - Advertising - Trove

    Jeffress Bro. were going to make the butt ugly JB Minor car:
    25 Apr 1949 - THE FIRST BIG NEWS OF THE FAIR - Trove

  2. #2
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    Aug 2008
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    near Rockhampton
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    I know of one in Rockhampton. I saw it from a distance at a local establishment.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  3. #3
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    Oct 2008
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    Cairns, Q
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    I have come across two. One is, at a guess, about 18" swing and about a 5 foot B/C. The faceplate in the photo is 16" diameter. It is capable of swinging about 27" (from memory) in the gap. The other was much older, probably twenties or thirties, and quite a bit bigger - flat belt drive, maybe 20" swing and maybe 10 or 12 feet between centres.The dimensions of the older one are just guesswork. It was about 20 years ago when I saw it.

    I've attached a few photos of the smaller one. I would guess its age to be just prior to WW2 or possibly 40s or early fifties.This one has 3 step Vee pulleys on the motor and gearbox drive and a three speed gearbox, giving nine speeds - I assume this was the standard arrangement. I am aware of several others of this model which were still in use about ten years ago when I took these photos. At least one of them was being restored at the time.

    Frank
    Attached Images Attached Images

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by .RC. View Post
    I know of one in Rockhampton. I saw it from a distance at a local establishment.
    Make sure yer got the box browny with ya next time.

  5. #5
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    QLD
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    Quote Originally Posted by franco View Post
    I have come across two. One is, at a guess, about 18" swing and about a 5 foot B/C. The faceplate in the photo is 16" diameter. It is capable of swinging about 27" (from memory) in the gap.....
    Thanks for the piccys.

    In the Trove pictorial advertisments I've seen that closely resemble the lathe in your piccys it is called the Model 9-48.
    If the Trove adverts are any guide the lathe was only made in the early 1950's

    06 Apr 1952 - Advertising - Trove

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Murwillumbah, NSW, 2484
    Posts
    2

    Default Jeffco Lathe

    My father has one of these Jeffco lathes under his house in Murwillumbah (NSW). It is still is reasonable condition considering its age. It has a seven horsepower three phase motor driving through an infinitely variable speed cone pulley arrangement. The speed is adjusted by rotating a hand wheel below the headstock. It is very rigidly constructed and the spindle runs on tapered roller bearings. It can easily take cuts 1/8" (3mm) deep at a time, during one careless mishap it snapped cleanly a one inch (25mm) square high speed steel tool bit. If anyone is interested I will take and upload some photos of it.
    Ricco.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    moonbi nsw Aus
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    69
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    364

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    Is this "Jeffco" the same crowd who would have made my "Jeffwood" Thicknesser at about the same time? Early 50s-60s
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Brisbane Queensland
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    Sure is. We also made planers, bandsaws, twin mitre saws, disc sanders, double borers, butchers meat saws
    fo Henry Berry. Also made dough mixers.

  9. #9
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    Jul 2016
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    Melbourne
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    Cream in did you work there or were affiliated in some way? A short write up sure would be appreciated as there probably isn't any better place for the story.

  10. #10
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    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    Creambun, could you please change your location to a Town or Suburb and State PLEASE, it makes it easier if you are chasing an item or require a hand with something.
    Some Members won't bother answering if they don't know your location, either.
    Welcome to a Top Forum too.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Brisbane Queensland
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    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    Cream in did you work there or were affiliated in some way? A short write up sure would be appreciated as there probably isn't any better place for the story.
    I started working at Jeffress Bros in Northgate in 1969. Early 2000’s when after a takeover a few years earlier, by nephew and nieces and a name change to Jeffress Eng. they closed up shop and moved to Adelaide.
    The Jeffco lathes were a little bit before my time.

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