i work maintenance in a large machining facility. We have a lot of CNC lathes, but we also have a good amount of vintage automatics that still get used on a daily basis. Acme-Gridleys, New Britain, Goss, Warner Swasey, all from the 40s and 50s.
Nice! When I went to school to become a machinist all of the equipment had been used to build B-29s (Boeing) and Sherman (PACCAR) tanks during WWII. I always loved how smooth and quiet that stuff ran.
I don't really collect old machine tools, but I have a 1947 13"x60" South Bend lathe in my shop and a '40's Sears band saw. The pictures below are of a circa 1905-1915 Brainard horizontal mill I had for several years before I donated it to a local transportation museum. Note the Model A transmission that was installed on it, probably in the '30's or '40's and used as a speed changer. =mill2 by TagMan, on Flickr mill1 by TagMan, on Flickr
This particular Acme was purchased new by my employer in 1932. This machine has been a workhorse for damn near 86 years. And realistically if we needed it to run for another 86, it could probably do it. I’m still trying to find out what this company did for the war effort.
I had this zip tied to the grille of my 65 checker marathon for years, it generated a lot of questions.
That’s is like the very first machine I ever ran. Looking for work in about 1975 I walked into a place that had help wanted sign hanging out. Machine shop! Talked to the foreman, told him I never ran a lathe before but could read mics and understood measurements in thousands. He hired me on the spot and showed me how to run that Warner and Swasey 5 A. In about twenty minutes I was making parts! I was a machinist! After a mont or two I realized I was just “ power and an observer”, not a machinist, per sae. About that time the company was trying to get more females hired on, with not so good results. Our reworker was getting covered up with bad parts. Boss came by and asked it I wanted the job of reworker on our shift! I jumped at the chance! Had to use my brain a little there. Loved that job on the 15 inch Clausing/ Colchester engine lathe. Only left because bit was too far from home, 50 miles, and had a opportunity to join the fire dept in my town. So, I still have my love of machining . I have three lathes, 19 inch LeBlond, 12 inch Clausing and a little Craftsman. Three mills, radial arm drill( big), one horizontal mill.two presses, belt sander, grinders. Bones
I have to admit, I have a weak spot for old machines...just dragged this beast home this past Sat. drove 400 miles round trip in my flatbed to get it. In the last pic my friend is standing on the massive motor, the saw is over 8' high. Moak 36" High Speed Band Saw, 7-1/2hp direct drive motor. Built in the 50s I believe. I have too many machines to post here, you can see most of them at my VintageMachinery page: http://vintagemachinery.org/members/detail.aspx?id=3052
I LOVE machine tools. Our family business is making leatherworking machinery and the oldest side of it goes back to 1858. So while we are keeping current with modern CNC stuff, I'm also a big promoter of the keeping the old manual stuff. Our oldest machines include a Cincinatti Tool and Cutter Grinder that we have reason to beleive was bought new by the company around 1900, A Brown and Sharpe production horizontal mill that was made between 1894 and 1900's (not sure exactly) and did something for The American Ordinace Co. around WW1 before we got it, an old Napier horizontal band saw, and a 16x8 Hendey 8 speed engine lathe built in 1909. All of which were originally powered by overhead pulley shafts with the exception of the Hendey which was cutting edge high tech with a built in electric motor. It's crazy to think this stuff was making parts before BOTH world wars and even before the Titanic! Some other fun ones include a 1938 South Bend Heavy 10 lathe, 1941 Bridgeport mill, 1936 Cincinatti 2L horizontal mill, 1946 Kearney Trecker 2H horizontal mill, 1954 Moore #2 Jig Borer, and a big 1930's Fosdick drill press. The Cincinatti grinder and Hendey lathe are offline right now as I've been rebuilding them in my "other" free time. IMO, Like old cars, these old tools reach a point that they have earned some respect and deserve a little extra effort to keep them around. I also have a softspot for wartime iron as I see it as a lasting legacy of the engineers and factory workers on the homefront who worked so hard to keep our servicemen supplied.
The 41' Bridgeport and the 1900 Cincinatti Grinder have taken up residence in my garage at home. Made some chips on the Bridgeport earlier today. The Cincinatti grinder is getting an extensive rebuild which is including rescraping the slide ways (another skill I've picked up). I'm also building a line-shaft "cube" around it so it could be moved around when needed, but still retain it's original drive.
I have these in my CNC department. 16" Lodge & Shipley 1928 vintage. 10" Star made by Seneca Falls Co. in NY, early 1900's
I'm loving seeing the machines here. They don't make beauty like this anymore. Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
My Lodge & Shipley looks identical to yours except the gear change lever is the long bent downward version. The LIMA motor stopped working suddenly several days ago and it appears that one leg of 3 phase failed. It is in a shop for rewinding now.
I recently purchased a Clausing 4900 , it’s a great machine for my tinkering . Please be sure to use caution when operating machinery , no long hair or long beards , no long sleeves , no gloves , or jewelry . Always wear safety glasses , they are you eyes best friends . My friend was an aircraft machinist by trade for 35 years , never hurt one time on the job . 8 months ago , using his Regal in his garage , he got a shirt sleeve caught , it sucked his hand in between the spinning part and the carriage , 3 surgeries later he only has 2 fingers remaining on his right hand . He knew better , just one lax moment and it will eat you .
If anybody is familiar with automatic chuckers, the noise when they are all running, is unbelievable.
I just relocated halfway across our great United States and of course ended up at another facility full of still active antique machines. The oldest I’ve been able to date so far is this old Bliss from 1927
Anybody here have an old LeBlond lathe or know of one that is being parted out! I need the L series spindle out of a17 or 19 inch round head machine! Any help would be appreciated! Also looking for a L00 mount four jawed 10 inch chuck and faceplate. Bones
Hi Bones.Check out Keith Rucker at Vintagemachinery.org. He might be able to give you some leads to what you want. Good luck.Have fun.Be safe. Leo
A couple post drills I hauled home . Gave them a good soaking of Kroil . The No. 14 turns . The smaller one hasn't popped lose yet .
Yes, thank you , I am in contact with those guys. I’m afraid I may have waited too late to find my parts! Those old heavy lathes had a way of finding recycle yards! I was just hoping some hotrodder had one out back! My search continues! Bones
I also have a thing for those old/ new hand drills! I have three. What neat about these drills is they turn so slow and you can put great pressure on the drill bit. You can actually drill a truck spring with these drill presses! Bones
Don`t give up hope.There`s no telling what Mr.Rucker might come up with. Good luck.Have fun.Be safe. Leo
Oh, I won’t give up... I have the patience of a rock! I have been looking for a while.just missed one, a local guy with a huge junkyard told me he just scrapped a huge pile of lathes, in December! That’s me, a day late and a dollar short! Lol Bones
The Jalopy Journal
