Advice (publicly or privately) Basically, what to do with an old steam powered lathe in 2016!

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

I'm just fishing for nice ideas or shared experiences, or perhaps someone has experience or knowledge on how to make the most of what could possibly be a nice opportunity.

Basically, what to do with an old steam powered lathe in 2016!

All I know is it's been in my cousins family for around 100 years. It was originally steam powered and converted by his granddad to electric with (I think) an automotive transmission to provide a range or speeds. I believe the original steam kit is all still there so could be ripe for restoration.

More information and hopefully photos will follow which will provide more clarity on the situation but I thought it might be nice to open this topic up early. I don't know if any museums would be interested as it's probably in need of a lick of paint. I wasn't sure if this was something that a club might take as a project or some sort of community project which could then find its way to a museum or some other way to be in the public eye (that is, if it is even worthy of this!) – So, I have no idea basically, but I do know it needs to go somewhere when the property it is at is sold, so time may be the deciding factor in its movements and it would be a shame to drag it away for scrap – hence, I'm opening this topic early.

I'd love to take it on myself, as I have a bit of a passion for just about any industrial machinery but my enthusiasm far exceeds my knowledge which again far exceeds my experience – I believe this triangle of traits reverses for many people (not all) with time!

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

Museum or Scrap Metal?

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

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

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hello Russ,

It sounds a very worthwhile exercise, the practicality will depend on size, condition etc. I would suggest making some friends at a nearby steam heritage site. Somewhere like a pumping station of similar may let you have access to their workshops and expertise in exchange for the opportunity to demonstrate a steam lathe on open days etc. They woudl may also be able to provide access to steam for testing etc. without the need to make and test a boiler (I doubt the original one would be safe or insurable, although it could be an importnat element of any display).

Don't paint it until you take advice/ Depending on all sorts of unknowns it may be better if the finish can be 'conserved' rather than restored, but that doesn't mean it cant be used.

Neil

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

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.

[Bill StarlingParticipant @billstarling10428]

Russ, I've only just seen your post. As Brian Wood asked, where is the lathe?

It sounds as if it might make an excellent exhibit at the Forncett Steam Museum in south Norfolk, see: http://www.forncettsteammuseum.co.uk/

We already have some larger lathes driven from overhead shafting powered by a Marshall steam engine, as well as the collection of stationary steam engines.

Do get in touch if you're interested.

Bill.

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

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

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

Folks, thank you for the contributions and comments/advice, please keep it coming.

The machine is in or around Sheffield, I believe it's in a domestic garage.

I will be speaking to my cousin tonight or tomorrow to pass on the comments. I believe sometime in the near future he will be able to get some photos etc.

[Ralph HParticipant @ralphh]

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.

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Hi Russ, sounds a very interesting piece of historical kit and really needs to be preserved, maybe the the SMEE might be interested ? As a mater of interest there is a small collection of steam power plants that were used to power small workshops, watch/clock makers , light engineering etc at Levens Hall in Cumbria

Be nice to see some photos of the machine and power plant.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

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.

[Ralph HParticipant @ralphh]

Hi Russ,

How did this go? Was a home found for the lathe?

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