Lathe Identification

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Posted by Mick Henshall on 17/02/2019 09:04:42:

If you need some inspiration watch on YT chap called " Burton's Attic " refurbishing a Rockwell lathe, cracking job

Mick 🇬🇧

Refurbishing is a touch strong, he's removing rust and repainting basically a good machine that he steam cleaned and left to rust for a bit.

90% of the original paint is still there so it's not had much use

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Two points re the above,

! Carl, I never heard of that make !!!

2 Nicholas, Very few people can wear shorts successfully,and many who do should think twice about it.

There is a time and a place and more to the point an age. [to say nothing about a shape ]

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Thanks fo rthe warning, I might have to avoid episode one. I only watched episode 4 (sound muted and music supplied by classic fm) which I can report is child friendly but shows dubious practice on refitting the saddle. Potentially a rather good insight into the workings of this particular lathe for others that have one and also lathe construction in general.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Hollowpoint on 16/02/2019 20:06:53:

It looks in real bad shape but I've seen worse restored. We can fix anything us engineer types cant we?

It looks sorta 1930-1940 ish to me. I've seen something similar and IIRC it was American. Can't remember the name though.

I though American too – Hendey perhaps, but a quick look says no. Against the US origin is that gearboxes appear to have become far more common before the advent of geared heads, and also the 4 way tool post is not typical either – many American lathes using the lantern type.

[Phil SParticipant @phils66830]

Looks like a Wilfin. Google images for "William Findlay Newcastle" shows an auction picture of one in a tidy condition on a cupboard stand. The question is, are all the teeth in the gearbox still attached ?

[Martin Hamilton 1Participant @martinhamilton1]

That certainly looks like the Wilfin lathe that is pictured over on lathes.co.uk.

[Martin Hamilton 1Participant @martinhamilton1]

It seems likely that Wilfin lathes may actually have been manufactured by A. Fielding & Co of Keighley, as it looks like William Findlay were machine tool suppliers.

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

I read that on lathes.co.uk too.

[Phil WhitleyParticipant @philwhitley94135]

Yes! Wilfin, but if you look at the tailstock on the keighley lifts lathe, it is virtually identical. I would hazard a guess to say that the tailstocks for both were made at Fieldings in Keighley, where it is suspected that the Wilfin was made. There were a few lathe makers in Keighley "I' them days"!

[RainbowsParticipant @rainbows]

I squinted at the tailstock and there are some differences. The keighley lacks the sort of sweep underneath the handle. Though still quite similar.

Also wow this forum put together must recognise on sight every lathe to exist. Thanks y'all

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

What I don't understand is why someone painted over most of the speed change label and totally over the oil level sight glass?? Strange!!

[Phil WhitleyParticipant @philwhitley94135]

Posted by Nick Clarke 3 on 20/02/2019 17:37:44:

What I don't understand is why someone painted over most of the speed change label and totally over the oil level sight glass?? Strange!!

Worked at a farm many years ago, installing some electrical equipment, and in the very clean and smart workshop was a 1932(?) triumph motorcycle, Of course I tried to buy it, but the old boy wouldn't sell because he had it from new, and "did all his courtin on it". When asked who had painted it with blue dulux, he reluctantly admitted that he let his grandkids do it, after they were bored one holiday time at Grandads farm!! Shit happens.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Happens when children don't know and people don't care. I was looking at some Landrovers being sold by the MOD. All newly repainted and looking underneath newly undersealed – including the great gobbets of mud all sealed in with the black gloop.

[RainbowsParticipant @rainbows]

Apparently the seller took this off the lathe and since lost it. It would have in hindsight helped a lot with identification huh.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

**LINK**

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=GB&NR=414496A&KC=A&FT=D&ND=3&date=19340809&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP

MichaelG.

.

The origin of the belt drive arragement that we know and love ?

http://www.lathes.co.uk/wilfin/

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/02/2019 19:37:50

[Roger Williams 2Participant @rogerwilliams2]

Carl Wilson said it was utter shite, I dont think its that good.

[Phil SParticipant @phils66830]

William Findlay's premises, Newcastle upon Tyne. The foot of "Dog Leap Stairs" are to the left.

[Author]

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