Thread: Unknown manufaturer "The Rapid" metal turning lathe

I am in the procdess of restoring a Rapid lathe for a working heritage museum in South Africa.
Does anybody have any information on the manufacturer of this lathe ?

Hi Noel,

Welcome to the forum !

Rapide. Possibly French from about the turn of the 1900's. From your picture it is belt driven from a line shaft. I recall seeing a drawing of a similar lathe in a book, in French, a couple of years ago.

HTH.

I believe Blanchard in the USA made or sold a rapid Lathe, I'm guessing there is no name plate you could post a picture of.

[QUOTE=BaronJ;2003084]Hi Noel,

Welcome to the forum !

Rapide. Possibly French from about the turn of the 1900's. From your picture it is belt driven from a line shaft. I recall seeing a drawing of a similar lathe in a book, in French, a couple of years ago.

[QUOTE=Noel J Greeff;2003122]

Originally Posted by BaronJ

Hi Noel,

Welcome to the forum !

Rapide. Possibly French from about the turn of the 1900's. From your picture it is belt driven from a line shaft. I recall seeing a drawing of a similar lathe in a book, in French, a couple of years ago.

[QUOTE=BaronJ;2003084]Hi Noel,

Welcome to the forum !

Rapide. Possibly French from about the turn of the 1900's. From your picture it is belt driven from a line shaft. I recall seeing a drawing of a similar lathe in a book, in French, a couple of years ago
Baronthank you forb the welcome and the idea of the origin of the Rapid lathe. Unfortunately I don't think that it is French as the name is clearly Enlish (or American).Regards Noel

Originally Posted by China

I believe Blanchard in the USA made or sold a rapid Lathe, I'm guessing there is no name plate you could post a picture of.

China, thank you for that lead, I'll check it out.
Regards, Noel

hi Noel,
Welcome to the MetalWorking Forum.
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welcome

Grahame