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Lathe headstock identification

Droll

Aluminum
Joined
Jun 2, 2010
Location
Nova Scotia
I am in the process of repairing a treadle lathe that came out of a chair-making factory, and is now in the collection of a local museum. The intention is to have the lathe operational again.

Any information on the headstock, photos attached, would be welcome. It is cast iron with brass bearings and ir 14 inches long. The chuck is 3 inches in diameter.

ThanksCHF lathe 004.jpgCHF lathe 005.jpg
 
The Watkins Mill was built in 1860 in northwest Missouri. It went out of business over 100 years ago and was left intact, so it still contains the original equipment. There is a steam engine, lots of woolen equipment and a lathe rather like the one you ask about. I don't think it is possible to say exactly who made the lathe or when, but the Watkins Mill lathe probably is pre-1860. I suppose the headstock and tailstock were made in a small factory and the wood bed was made locally.

History Tells about the mill. Here are some pictures I took.

Larry

Watkins Mill 3.jpgWatkins Mill 10.jpgWatkins Mill 12.jpgWatkins Mill 13.jpgWatkins Mill 16.jpg
 








 
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