Antique Metal Lathe

Update: It turns out this is a late-1800s vintage #5 round belt lathe by W.F. & J. Barnes. Holy cow! I'm still planning to restore it as a working lathe, but may go for a more original restoration (basically using black paint instead of gray). :)

Notice I've changed the page title to reflect that this is, truly, an antique.

I found a well-worn machinist's lathe at a junk dealer. His price was VERY fair, given the condition. At $100 I figured it was worth the risk:

• 9-1/2 inch swing
• appr. 30 inch bed
• 3-jaw chuck
• steady rest
• 1/2 HP motor; multiple pulleys allow for speed changes by changing the V-belt positions
• power feed

I have yet to find any kind of identifying markings on it, so I have no idea who made it, how old it is, etc. I assume there used to be a cover over the exposed gears; it's a good bet that's where the name plate was. (I no longer think it had a cover plate.)

It will take some TLC to get it into working condition. At the least I expect to:

• clean off the rust
• lube all moving parts
• paint
• build a bench (hopefully with casters)
• possibly build a gearbox cover (I'm thinking a plexiglass shield that keeps fingers away but also lets the character of the lathe show)
• replace the drive belts
• buy a tool post and tool holder
• replace the motor's power cord
• repack/replace the bearings? no bearings!

Tool Post on Order — Aug 5, 2013 2:44:06 PM

New Paint Job — Mar 24, 2012 6:10:42 PM

Late 1800's — Feb 23, 2012 1:24:04 PM

Headstock Disassembly — Feb 19, 2012 1:05:52 AM

Vintage??? — Feb 11, 2012 2:06:41 AM

More Pics — Feb 11, 2012 12:42:14 AM