Hello Russ,

It is a shame no one has yet replied to you, I imagine there must be some enthusiast who like me hasn't yet read your post. Pictures would make a big difference and a location from where to collect it would also be helpful.

I would love to get my teeth into it but I have too much on to take that on board

Regards Brian

I believe it wasn't uncommon for Model Engineers to power lathes using stem plant so it might make an interesting exhibit at one of the heritage museums such as the North Of England Open Air Museum at Beamish in County Durham or the heritage museum at Blists Hill in Shropshire.

Space and other commitments prevent me from saying I would like to restore it but I'm sure someone on the website will respond.

Wow, this sounds exciting i would love to see that up and running, completely unheard of these days. Dont let the past dissappear altogether!

Michael W

Hello Russ,

I have an interest in machinery of this period and have three large lathes of circa 1880-1900 that would have been powered from steam-driven lineshafts in my shed, all just about as they were made in terms of parts and finish. There is not a great deal of this kind of machinery still around in museums, let alone in use, so if you could find someone who could restore it to use that would be best. I shall be making a small lineshaft in the top of the shed to power them.

As Neil says, conservation of the paint and finish would be best if it is not too appallingly bad, it is that which adds the history. Rust is all part of it, just called patina if carefully removed to not dimensionally compromise the ways etc. If it is repainted, extreme care must be taken due to presence of lead in the filler often used in castings in its assumed period of manufacture.

Some pictures would be great.

Well we are all dying to see a picture. I might be one of the well known Drummonds from that era or a difficult to identify one that often appear in poor condition on ebay. Sometimes these older lathes don't get any takers if not well known. A restored CA Mann lathe (company folded in 1910) got no takers at £200 mid last year despite it being potentially equivalent to a £2k new Chinese one.

If looking for a museum Wortly top Forge is a few miles north of Sheffield and has a large collection of old steam engines and working lineshaft lathes and even a working planer. An associated Model Engineering Club in the grounds probably makes it the best place to live north of Watford.

If the museum isn't interested the ME club might take it over for a new starter to the hobby.