When I bought my shop property in May 2004, there was an old lathe left in the shop. Through a little research I was able to ID it as a 14" LeBlond built about 1902. Although the lathe bed was in decent shape there were parts missing from the apron. Through luck (or divine intervention) I was able to locate a second lathe in Georgia and made a quick road trip with a trailer to bring it home. This second lathe is about a year younger. Over the last several months I have been mixing and matching parts from the two lathes to produce one good one. The lathe is basically done. The only thing left is to complete a freestanding drive unit. These lathes were originally driven by an overhead line shaft. Both Lathes had been converted to electric motor drives. The second lathe interestingly enough incorporated what I believe to be a Model "A" transmission into it's drive unit.

Here'a couple of pic of the first lathe:

Here's pic of the second lathe with the Model "A" transmission:

Now here are some pics of the completed hybrid lathe:

[This message has been edited by sanderson (edited 01-15-2006).]

Very, very nice indeed!
That is one sweet machine!

Interesting restoration, I'm sure you're feeling some well deserved pride. Take care of that baby, I'm sure there aren't very many of them left. Nice job.

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Ron
Freedom isn't Free, it's always earned.
My imagination is the only limiting factor to my Fiero. Well, there is that money issue.

Also helping a friend with a rebuild on a little Rivett 608 built in the 1920's. Hoping to get an option to acquire this cutey one day:

[This message has been edited by sanderson (edited 01-15-2006).]

Beautiful work, Wow, "Built to last" rather than a week after the waranty ends.

It,s history would be interesting.-Involvement in WW1, WW2 ?

Heavy Metal !

[This message has been edited by Wolfhound (edited 01-15-2006).]

Level it up and sweep in the chuck so you can see how true it still runs. Amazingly, lathes, other than the cnc advent, haven't really changed much over the decades. Same split nut design on today's manual lathes as the ones made at the turn of the century (1900).

That is very very great. You did a great job on restoring
Don

Hey, sanderson, did you buy that in Lawrenceville? Looks like the one we had in my old shop.

quote Originally posted by sanderson: Now here are some pics of the completed hybrid lathe:

Wow, and you already made a JetSki with it! I'm impressed..

Old machinery like that is awesome - wish I had room in my life (and finances) for a couple more hobbies.

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Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com
1988 Red Fiero Formula Convertible
*Desktop Photo Here*

quote Originally posted by fierofool: Hey, sanderson, did you buy that in Lawrenceville? Looks like the one we had in my old shop.

Not sure where Lawrenceville is but lathe No 2 came from Brunswick, Ga - on the coast a little north of Florida border. Lathe No 1 came with property we acquired near San Antonio, Tx.

Beautiful work bringing that old machinery back to life. You should be very proud!

quote Originally posted by sanderson: Not sure where Lawrenceville is but lathe No 2 came from Brunswick, Ga - on the coast a little north of Florida border. Lathe No 1 came with property we acquired near San Antonio, Tx.

It's just northeast of Atlanta. We also had an old Hendy that still had the metal plate stating "Property of Her Royal Majesty's Navy", used for making BIG guns.