Lathes

[mike.perry]

I thought that this was drifting away from pedal shafts so I've started a new topic
Drummond Round Bed Lathe
[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
I think that it was originally treddle pedal powered but seems to have been converted to electric motor powered
Any info gratefully received

[IslipMinor]

Mike,

Looks like it could be one of the ubiquitous 'Drummond Round Bed' lathes - I believe very desirable indeed!

The link below gives some of the history and lots of pictures:

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

[mike.perry]

Thanks Richard, very interesting. I will study it in detail when I have a spare few minutes,
How desirable is desirable? I acquired mine as part of a garage clear out
The only other Drummond Round Bed I have seen was in a museum in Jersey, unfortunately the curator was not there so I could not find out much about it

[philthehill]

Something magical happens when you hold/operate the handles of a old metal working lathe especially if you know its history.
Some Drummond round bed lathes are more desirable than others and I do not know why.
I am surprised that the one advertised on 'e' bay item No: 321452674332 has been hanging around for so long as the seller is quite right in describing it as 'rare'.
Even with the round bed model S/H spares and various attachments to suit the lathe seem to be widely available.
Using a lightly worn heavy duty Scotch Bright pad with a bit of 3 in one oil will remove all that grime and staining from the bright metal without removing metal and is superb for cleaning lathe beds.

[alexmcguffie]

This is my other type of lathe. Ideal for making wooden gear knobs (not shown in photo though!)[frame][/frame]

[IslipMinor]

The one on eBay is the long bed version, which are definitely rare, and it hasn't sold for a number of auctions now - maybe not so desirable I had thought?

[philthehill]

Recently bought the green lathe on the attached link which is in superb condition though it does not look like it as it was then covered in preservative and had been for many years. http://www.lathes.co.uk/george-adams/index.html. Now cleaned up and returned to full treadle operation.

[MikeNash]

An interesting set of gears you've got on it, Mike. Alas, I've hardly any. And is that a Pyrene fire extinguisher on the wall behind it?
Regards, MikeN.

[mike.perry]

I haven't a clue what gears I have, all I know is that when I turn the big wheel the chuck eventually turns.
I think that the fire extinguisher is a Minimax given to me by a fireman neighbour for putting an engine fire out on his car.
Purely for decoration, the serious one is on the other side of the door, plus one in the kitchen and one in each car
anyone know where I can find the serial number? It does not appear to be on the nameplate

[mike.perry]

This is my other type of lathe. Ideal for making wooden gear knobs (not shown in photo though!)[frame][/frame]

Who needs wooden gear knobs when you can get the real thing! You could make one very large gear knob out of that piece of wood

[alexmcguffie]

Thats me shot down then! Other cars are out there that have wooden gear knobs as standard though....

[mike.perry]

A nicely varnished wooden gear knob feels very nice on an A Series gear box, I know, I have one. I was forgetting that I was not on the Series MM site which is producing original style gear knobs for the Series MM box

[philthehill]

Decided to try out the treadle lathe to reduce the dia of a shaft and found it very easy to use and keep up the speed. Keeps you fit and is eco friendly
Those old time engineers knew a thing or two about working metal.