Thread: Lathe Identification

Hi all,

I'm generally a lurker here, but wondered if I might be able to get a little help identifying the lathe in this picture. I've been after a lathe for a while, but have a small budget. This one is very cheap. The seller/owner doesn't seem to know which model it is. I'm interested in finding out more about it, like it's weight and dimensions.

Any ideas what make it is or which make and model, ideally?

lathe1.JPG

Thanks!
Craig

It looks like an old capstan lathe (Ward or Herbert perhaps? - although these normally have a name cast into them) that has been stripped down. However, it has no tailstock which immediately makes it far less useful (I'd keep looking).

Michael

Lathes UK might help: Machine Tool Archive

Flat ways make it highly likely to be England or Oz manufacture.

Craig, that appears to one of the Macson variations. I would guess at early - mid-'40's based on the style of the headstock casting. That one does not have a lead screw and appears to have a limited number of speeds.
The cross-slide looks unusual but difficult to see from that photo - not clear how that capstan is attached.

There should be MACSON cast into one of the 'legs' below the level of the chip-tray. Here is a photo of a similar looking unit that was on Gumtree a couple of years ago.
This one has the earlier Sliding/Surfacing selection - I have a slightly later machine that has the selection lever with the large slot as shown in your picture and a very similar headstock casting.
Mine has a lead screw, quick-change gearbox and tailstock so quite a different proposition.

I would agree with Michael but if you want dimensions I can get some from mine that would have to be pretty close - mine was a bit over 1000kg according to the crane truck, not light.
Ray

Macson .jpg

There has got to be something better then that around. It's value is boat anchor.

Originally Posted by .RC.

There has got to be something better then that around. It's value is boat anchor.

Agreed.
I'd scour Gumtree and/or Ebay for something better.
Do you have a local Mens Shed? They might know of something for sale or have something suplus they want to sell....
Worth a shot....

Steve

It would depend also on what it is you want to do with your lathe. But unless that lathe is free, or comes with a bunch of tooling and accessories its time to look elsewhere. It has a turret sitting on the bed but no post for it. Really as a lathe for a hobbyist you will be disappointed. No screw cutting. No drilling. No centre holding ability. .RC summed it up nicely.

Cheers Phil

Originally Posted by .RC.

There has got to be something better then that around. It's value is boat anchor.

Agreed.
I'd scour Gumtree and/or Ebay for something better.
Do you have a local Mens Shed? They might know of something for sale or have something suplus they want to sell....
Worth a shot....

Steve

Actually I take that back. I for 1 dont want to be pulling that up every time I move fishing spots

Originally Posted by 12bolts

...RC summed it up nicely.

Its value is as a boat mooring

Cheers Phil

Thanks folks for all the helpful replies. I think you've brought me back down to earth.

I hadn't appreciated that the lead screw was missing as well as the tailstock. The ad says it comes with 3 and 4 jaw chucks, and no tooling, but I can see there's possibly a box of bits next to the headstock. I thought the biggest 'problem' with the purchase was the missing tailstock, which depending on how common or rare the model is, I could possibly source another, or a compatible one. Obviously not. A missing lead screw as well, means it's more trouble than it's worth.

I'll keep searching - and saving. I really like the idea of asking at the men's sheds, hadn't thought of that. There are two or three within easy driving distance of me. So far I've been checking gumtree, ebay and gowans auctions. Gumtree seems to have the best selection, but everything's $5000 and upwards, which is way too spendy for me.

PS: I don't own a boat, but if I did, I'd hopefully choose a more efficient anchor than this!

Cheers,
Craig

Originally Posted by craigmarshall

Thanks folks for all the helpful replies. I think you've brought me back down to earth.

I hadn't appreciated that the lead screw was missing as well as the tailstock. The ad says it comes with 3 and 4 jaw chucks, and no tooling, but I can see there's possibly a box of bits next to the headstock. I thought the biggest 'problem' with the purchase was the missing tailstock, which depending on how common or rare the model is, I could possibly source another, or a compatible one. Obviously not. A missing lead screw as well, means it's more trouble than it's worth.

I'll keep searching - and saving. I really like the idea of asking at the men's sheds, hadn't thought of that. There are two or three within easy driving distance of me. So far I've been checking gumtree, ebay and gowans auctions. Gumtree seems to have the best selection, but everything's $5000 and upwards, which is way too spendy for me.

PS: I don't own a boat, but if I did, I'd hopefully choose a more efficient anchor than this!

Cheers,
Craig

Where is it? I'm thinking of putting in another mooring - I'm down near Kettering.

Good luck finding a good cheap lathe here in Tasmania. Anything worth having is going to be over $2000 and more likely over $3000. I sold a Hercus cheap a couple years back, but it needed a lot of TLC and they were never much of a lathe even brand new from the factory.

The last really excellent small lathe I know of that sold down here was an Emco Maximat 11 and I bought it. As I was running it the other day I kept thinking what a lovely lathe it was to use, dead accurate, quiet and everything beautifully fitted & finished. Even the compound slide screw has backlash adjustment.

PDW

I was looking at this one a few weeks ago, it went a couple of hundred over my set budget. It has japanese chucks and the lathe is almost new. It has taper turning attachment too, better quality than the Al-960B from machinery house I think.

metal lathe

This just popped up on gumtree, I have had a rexman many years ago and they are okay, watch out for the fragile zamak main spindle gear though, reasonable price at $600. Its in Otago
Metal working Lathe | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Clarence Area - Otago | 1134644999

Ralph

Originally Posted by caskwarrior

This just popped up on gumtree, I have had a rexman many years ago and they are okay,.....

Unusual, looks like is has got all the covers. Fully optioned.

Hi all. Another lathe popped up on gumtree, a Hercus 9" (southbend clone) that turns out is from 1951. Another poster mentioned their Hercus, and wasn't too impressed with it. I think for a novice like myself, it'll be ideal.

I love the look of those old lathes, and one of my favourite youtube channels (mrpete222, aka tubalcain of the workshop practise series) has tons of videos on the southbend 9". He's fairly old school, and considers these lathes to be ideal for the home workshop.

So - I went up to north of Launceston on Wednesday and picked it up.

It's in pretty good condition (to my untrained eye) for a 1951 lathe. I can immediately see that it needs new half-nuts. One of the good things about these lathes is the parts availability. I ordered new half-nuts from Mal at Australian Metalworking Hobbyists last night. They will hopefully be with me early next week.

If you want to see pics and read more of the grizzly details, you can take a look at the last couple of posts on my website makefixmod.com - or ask here. I am very excited about this - and more than happy to chat about it.

Cheers,
Craig