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Thread: Lathe identification help
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31st Aug 2017, 09:42 AM #1New Member
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Lathe identification help
Hi I was recently given a lathe but I have know idea what make or model it is I have looked all over the lathe and can't find any marking on it at all, other than on the motor which is Stamped gmf but I think that is just the motor brand. The only other marking on it was the word Albion on the gear box underneath any help would be much appreciated
cheers chris
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31st Aug 2017, 11:42 AM #2Golden Member
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Interesting lathe.
I will hazard a wild guess that it might have been built up from parts salvaged from another lathe, and using a wood lathe headstock and tailstock as the basis. These used to be available in sets, together with a matching tool rest for people building their own wood bedded wood lathes. As far as I can tell from the photos the carriage assembly looks as though it might have been fabricated, though the photos are not very clear. A few more and clearer photos, particularly of the drive and apron/carriage area might help with the identification.
Is the gearbox used to give you different headstock spindle speeds? If so, it was possibly originally from a motorcycle. Albion built gearboxes for a number of British motorcycle makes, and the lettering on the "Albion" cast on the gearbox housing appears very similar to that used on the motor cycle boxes. They may, of course, have built industrial gearboxes as well, though I have never seen one.
If it is a built up lathe it appears to be a good workman like job. Good luck with the identification.
Frank.
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1st Sep 2017, 09:39 AM #3Golden Member
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My first lathe looked very similar also with no makers name - it was I estimate over 100yrs old, this one looks to have a home brew setup for power feed added, I can see that the belt used to drive this is missing. To me it does not look like part of a wood lathe as there are back gears and wood lathes don't traditionally have these. More than likely it originally had a pair of cast iron legs bolted to each end. If it is not too worn you can still do good work with it as long as you realise its limitations.
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1st Sep 2017, 12:31 PM #4Golden Member
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familyguy,
I would not argue with this. I thought that in view of the fairly light duty headstock casting similar to a typical wood lathe headstock, the back gear assembly might have been a later addition. However the photo as I see it on my computer is not clear enough to see whether the back gear assembly mounting brackets are part of the original headstock casting or a later addition. I am though intrigued by the two rows of teeth on the back gears. It may once again be just an illusion caused by the indistinct photo, but they look in the photo to be the same diameter but slightly different pitches. I have seen gears with two rows of identical teeth set one tooth space apart, which was said to give more even tooth loading and quieter running, but if they are of different pitches it seems to be an unnecessary complication unless there is another reason for this arrangement
It would be interesting to see a photo of the gear box arrangement, and whether and how it drives the added feed set up.
Frank.
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1st Sep 2017, 01:19 PM #5New Member
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Hi guys thanks for taking the time to try and help with the id of this lathe.just went up to the shed and took a few more pics hope there a bit clearer cheers chris
IMG_0216.jpgIMG_0218.jpgIMG_0219.jpgIMG_0222.jpgIMG_0223.jpgIMG_0224.jpgIMG_0225.jpgIMG_0227.jpgIMG_0228.jpgIMG_0229.jpg
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1st Sep 2017, 01:23 PM #6New Member
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Hi frank as far as I can see the gear box only drives the power feed has 5 speeds I think cheers chris
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1st Sep 2017, 01:59 PM #7New Member
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Frank this is how the gearbox setup runs the power feed
IMG_0232.jpgIMG_0233.jpgIMG_0234.jpg
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1st Sep 2017, 04:52 PM #8Golden Member
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Hi Chris,
What a difference some clear photos makes! I now think it is an extensively modified version of quite an old factory built lathe - I'd agree with familyguy's estimate of its age. Whoever did the modifications has made a nice job, and the power feed would have made it much more pleasant to use. The carriage appears to have been extensively modified for fitting the power feed, and the four way tool holder is probably not original. This was a popular modification for older lathes to replace a simple tool clamp in the fifties, and probably earlier.
My guess is that it is probably of U K manufacture. In this case the fasteners on the original unmodified parts will have Whitworth threads. If it is of German manufacture (less likely I think) it could have Whitworth or metric threads if pre WW1, metric if later. After WW1 a lot of German lathes were rebadged and sold by British machinery merchants, and some found their way to Australia.
Have you checked Tony Griffiths site: Lathes for matches? If not, the things to look for are headstock and tailstock features and probably the bed and ways. The carriage features probably won't be much help because of the modifications. As familyguy said, it probably had cast iron legs originally.
If you can't find a match on the lathes.co.uk site it is probably worth sending Tony an email with a photo of the complete lathe, and photos of headstock, tailstock, and any other areas you know to be original. His email address is: [email protected]
Good luck!
Frank.
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1st Sep 2017, 06:13 PM #9Philomath in training
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Frank, I agree with your assessment, although I think it is a lot more home built than factory modified. There are things done there that a factory just would not do, but as you say, it looks like they did a nice job of it.
Michael
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