Pittler C3 lathes

A Pittler C3, 51⁄8" X 24" centres and fitted with back-gear and universal joint

(Interestingly, On C3 lathes with back gear the centre height is 51⁄8" without Back gear the height is 5")

The Pittler C3 included a full set of 20 gears and 3 worms, fixed & travelling stays, milling head, dividing spindle, hand rest etc. The earlier lathes also included a universal joint which ran off the headstock gearing and down via the revering gearbox, it could connect to several attachments including a ball turning mechanism and power cross feed. Later models sold under George Adams ownership greatly reduced the included accessories although they were still available as extras.

They were available in four sizes, 18 inch, 24 inch, 28 inch and 32 inches with options for back-gear. Also further options for electric power or treadle operation. Most likely the C3 lathes would require neither as they would run off an overhead line shafting along the full length of the factory they were installed in.

< img src=" Pittler C3 lathe.jpg" alt= A Pittler C3"/>

The C3 is the mid range of Pittler lathes although the large engineering D and E pattern lathes are probably very rare to find, these would not have been suitable for amateur use so likely scrapped when new models appeared. In many ways they all follow a similar design using the same trapezoidal bed and swivelling cross-slide. This website is for information on B and C lathes of which large numbers were imported to the UK from Germany from 1891 to around 1914, the latter years under the ownership of George Adams. The C3 continued to be produced for a while after the B2 production had ended due to strong competition from much cheaper lathes such as Drummond. Imports from Germany leading up to WW1 and beyond would no longer be possible.

Above: the comparison of saddle size of the travelling steadies for the B2 and C3 lathes.

<img src=”Pittler factory.jpg” alt=”Pittler C3 lathe production 1910.” />

18" C3 lathes on the production line at the newly opened factory in Wahren, photo dated 1900, no head or tailstock fitted yet but the leadscrew and round saddle are already in. Note the temporary wooden support for the tailstock end of the bed.