Antique lathe

Hopefully I'll have the two from Worcester, MA and the one from Dexter, ME out in their new home within a few months, and I'll get some pictures up. The little FE Reed has been similarly butchered (not by me), but the big ones have not.

snipped-for-privacy@midmaine.com (shapeshifter)

Hi, Joaz

I have seen online pics of the lathe before, but didn't pick up that it has four ways on the top of the bed (let alone Oneway). That means it was born with a carriage to run on the outer set of ways. And with the rack in front of the bed top, it means your's was originally an engine lathe, I would think. Don't know if it had backgears on the headstock. If it says "Fitchburg Machine Co.", it is pre 1877, if "Fitchburg Machine Works", after. The firm began c 1863/4 as S. C. Wright & Co, founded by Sylvester C., who was a lathe builder for the Putnam Machine Co. previous to that.

Good to hear you're still using it.

Frank Morrison (in Fitchburg)

What is the swing on your lathe?

Looks like you have a nice big motor.

Is the rope for a clutch?

It looks the pulley is a double with only one belt being used. Is your motor DC or inverter-driven for speed control?

What's the bright red handle?

Derek

Joaz, I'd be proud to own a lathe like that, you could call it an OldWay ;-)

Looks like a patternmakers's lathe--no lead screw that I can see, but it has a rack so you might have a carriage for it tucked away.

I used an Oliver patternmaker's lathe similar to this one, it was newer (from the 20's) in a former job--turning percussion drum shells. 24" swing, 8 ft between centers with a flat belt drive (nice adaption to the newer motor and belt drive, BTW)--the Oliver had a HUGE old 3 phase motor running at 750 rpm.

Ken Grunke

Ken Grunke snipped-for-privacy@crwoodturner.com

It could be that, and the maker, Fitchburg Maching Company did make patternmaker's lathes, but a bit later (say 1890) than the vintage of this lathe--which may be 1865, though probably (guess) more like 1870-75. Back then you could order an engine lathe w/o a lead screw. The leadscrew and feed rod were separate (for this maker), and you could order w/o thread cutting. If it did have a leadscrew, it would have been run at the back of the bed, not in front. This was the style of the Putnam Machine Co. (Fitchburg) where the principal, S. C. Wright, was a lathe builder before starting FMCo. These folks didn't get around to combining the feed rod and leadscrew at the front of the bed until the 1890s. Frank Morrison

Joaz,

You have had your Vega bowl lathe for a few years now. Anymore comments on it? I would like to see pictures of it in your shop.

Thanks,

AZ Craig

with the tail stock to headstock. It is also hard to rig up dust system. I installed solid steel legs, that helped with vibration. On the plus side...it is easy to get around and I like the reverse capabilities. It will take quiet a large out of balance blank. I have also turned a few large

20" platter's on it. It's not a terrible lathe, just took a lot of twieeking. I don't think I would buy another one.At the time the price was just right. I prefer turning on the old Fitch. If you want pic. email me and I will send you some. Thanks Joaz