Help identifying this old lathe

6sigmaford · Aug 24, 2016

Help identifying this old Sidney Lathe

Evening all. I just brought this old girl home. I have searched for hours and can't find a good match on the Web. The headstock is labeled Sidney Tool Company. Some pieces look similar to the documented Sidney lathes on the Web. Others don't quite match up. Any ideas from the attached pics. I could not spot a serial number beyond the gear.

6sigmaford · Aug 24, 2016

Okay how do you post Pictures?

6sigmaford said:
Evening all. I just brought this old girl home. I have searched for hours and can't find a good match on the Web. The headstock is labeled Sidney Tool Company. Some pieces look similar to the documented Sidney lathes on the Web. Others don't quite match up. Any ideas from the attached pics. I could not spot a serial number beyond the gear.

jhruska · Aug 24, 2016

Photos and illustrations click "Go Advanced" new page opens and scroll down to "Manage attachments".

Pop up window opens titled Manage Attachments and click on "Add Files" and then "Choose File".

Pick the file/photo stored from a location on your computer. Then click "Upload File" and the file appears in the Manage Attachments window at the bottom.
Click the mouse curser within the "Your Message" window
like so:

and then click"Insert Online" in Manage Attachments and the image will load into the massage window. If done with Manage Attachment window click "Done" or just close it.
Limit five photos per post. There is a kb size limit. This image was originally 125 kb and PM resized it to 95 kb.
The image is courtesy of Joder.

6sigmaford · Aug 25, 2016

Thanks - I believe I have it now. Photo attached - more coming.

6sigmaford · Aug 25, 2016

More picture goodness - easy guys this girl is spoken for...

More pics - I see the Sidney gear information plaque but could not locate anything else. The lathe looks like other Sidneys posted but not exact on the carriage controls. Maybe very old version? It measured a 13-14" swing.

I tried to find the normal faults, but she seems to weathered nearly a century without too much abuse. I will get a clean shot of the ways. When I cleaned them last night, I was suprised to see very few impact marks or other hamfisted abuse.

The back gears were engaged easily, unchipped and spin freely. Kudos to the design materials as maintenance doesn't seem to be a priority with previous owners. Carriage half nuts engage and little play in the carriage when engaged. Compound is a little sloppy, but the cross-feed was surprisingly tight. Quick change selector moved like it was ball bearings very smooth.

I could not let this girl go. So, I wedged it into my already crammed garage. Guys like me need a support system, and I thank you all for the work you do here. Saving these lathes is an active act of genealogy that my Dad would be proud of me doing.

6sigmaford · Aug 25, 2016

one more

6sigmaford · Aug 25, 2016

one pic is not posting right - punting

the gear selector badge

6sigmaford · Aug 25, 2016

Better pic of carriage controls

kitno455 · Aug 25, 2016

Looks like a Sidney, just older and smaller than most you see on the web. I don't recall seeing another one with t-slots on the carriage.

allan

6sigmaford · Aug 26, 2016

We will get it back under power tomorrow. Interested in the apron operation. Anybody know anything about a push-pull on the apron. Looks like some field cobbling was done with a washer.

6sigmaford · Aug 26, 2016

I was wondering about the tee-slots as well. Pattern fixture or other attachments?

kitno455 · Aug 26, 2016

6sigmaford said:
I was wondering about the tee-slots as well. Pattern fixture or other attachments?

Line boring, in the days before shops had hor-bores.

allan

johnoder · Aug 26, 2016

You have yet to post a large enough photo of apron. See example of useful size in post #3

6sigmaford said:
Anybody know anything about a push-pull on the apron. Looks like some field cobbling was done with a washer.

6sigmaford · Aug 27, 2016

Thank for the coaching I will fix that.

6sigmaford · Aug 27, 2016

Photo upload not showing

Did I hit a file size limit. The manage attachments isn't showing up anymore.

johnoder · Aug 27, 2016

YOU HAVE TO BE IN ADVANCED

Its been several forum upgrades since I got a "too big" notice, but as near as I know it will tell you if the file size is too large. Thumbnail is an example of small file size but huge result

6sigmaford said:
Did I hit a file size limit. The manage attachments isn't showing up anymore.

6sigmaford · Aug 27, 2016

Okay mystery solved. I had to go to full site to attach - dunno

This should be more clear. Note the position selector (upper middle left) is quite differen than the from other Sidney lathes online. No pin detent selector - you loosen the knob and move to one of three positions and retighten to hold the position. The selector moves into a detent position when tightened. Clutch seems normal.

The washer looks like a field fix. In other Sidney notes they mention a push-pull disconnect ... thoughts?

johnoder · Aug 27, 2016

Now there is a photo. Normal single clutch apron. Many lathes have individual clutches for long and cross feed, and three position lever is for forward / reverse / threading (when the feed gearing is disabled during use of lead screw) As to a pair of clutch knobs, see post #16

On this Sidney, you are selecting long / cross / threading (centered)

If it has a safety interlock (between feeds/threads) you will not be able to engage half nuts (right hand lever) unless select lever is in central position

Its common for those cast iron cone clutches to get STUCK disengaged - at which time you have no power feeds

On Edit...here is Joe's 15" - has the pair of apron clutches

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...-sidney-returns-dead-228630/?highlight=Sidney

6sigmaford · Aug 27, 2016

Thanks- that makes sense. I will post up a few more pics as I go.

jhruska · Aug 27, 2016

These excerpts are from 'American Machinist' published 1919.

1920 Sidney Light Pattern Engine Lathe 1of5.jpg

1920 Sidney Light Pattern Engine Lathe 2of4.jpg

1920 Sidney Light Pattern Engine Lathe 3of5.JPG

1920 Sidney Light Pattern Engine Lathe 4of5.jpg

1920 Sidney Light Pattern Engine Lathe 5of5.JPG

John

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