Monarch Lathe Identification

[Samuel Lidskie]

I would like some help identifying this Monarch Lathe, it appears to be missing some engagement lever assembly for the clutch on the upper jack shaft, any images or documents that would help show how that assembly works would be very helpful, and for that matter any information about the lathe would also be helpful,
thanks for any help you may have to offer,
Samuel

 

[Tom A]

No help on ID, but that's a really nice looking lathe - The overhead drive is unique, for sure. I wonder if the pin striping was original - An elegant job in any case.

 

[Anthony N]

I would like some help identifying this Monarch Lathe, it appears to be missing some engagement lever assembly for the clutch on the upper jack shaft, any images or documents that would help show how that assembly works would be very helpful, and for that matter any information about the lathe would also be helpful,
thanks for any help you may have to offer,
Samuel View attachment 377565View attachment 377566View attachment 377567

Call Monarch in Sydney, Ohio. They keep microfilms of all their machines.

 

[James H Clark]

Can't I.D. the model other than to know that it is a toolroom lathe. I had one like it years ago, but sold it before making it functional. They were in a transitional period, probably 1920's if I had to guess. By transitional, I mean they had quick change on the threading selections, but line shaft drive. Good luck.
JH

 

[Samuel Lidskie]

Thanks for taking a look at the lathe guys, it appears as though someone put a lot of time into reworking the machine at some point, there are a set of worn head stock bushings amongst other parts that appear to have been replaced and put in a "spare parts" bin that came with the lathe.
I am getting ready to replace the belts as they are coming apart and see what else it needs to be functional. will keep you all posted

 

[Andy FitzGibbon]

I would look through any pre-1940 publications on Vintage Machinery and see if you can find a match.

Monarch Machine Tool Co. - Publication Reprints | VintageMachinery.org

 

[Samuel Lidskie]

After a bit of cleaning out old chips and a proper oiling, the belts looked pretty bad, slightly shortened one and replaced the other, one pin was an old nail, the other was a proper wiggle pin, I think I've still got to shorten the new belts pin slightly, as a side note the image of the older belt also contains the location where the clutch arm should be located on the clutch throw groove.
Andy, thanks for the Link to the VintageMachinery web site I downloaded the older manual from there

 

[jlegge]

Look between the Vee and flat way on the tailstock end of the bed and you will see the Lot number and machine number. There should be a letter stamped there which tell of the model of the lathe. Also you can check the swing and line it up with the model:

9 $ 11" Model K or Junior (first built around 1920)
12" Model E (first built around 1918)
14 & 16 Model A (first model Monarch made starting in 1909)
18 & 20" Model B (first built 1910)
22, 24, 26, 28 & 30" Model D (first build in early teens)
Model C was used to designate their toolroom lathes of the above swings. CA, CB etc. Monarch carried this on in all their "lettered" models.

These are the cone head lathes Monarch built from 1909 into the early 1920's.

My guess is a Model A, as this was the most numerous cone head lathe Monarch made, with WWI war production 2,000 to 4,000 lathe in 1917 and 1918. And head head end leg is what you find on the smaller swing lathes. The chip pan does not look to be factory supplied.

Hope this help,

John

 

[Samuel Lidskie]

John thanks for the info, there appears to be quite a bit of stamping going on there

 

[M.B. Naegle]

Looks like a war-time machine to me, as the "inspected by" and the names were typically only added when the machines were received or evaluated for government contracts. The lot number would be the original serial.

Hopefully some original catalog images turn up, but I think the countershaft clutch was meant to engage somehow with the double ended lever beneath it. Someone likely disabled it leaving it in the engaged position, since the addition of the electric motor and drum switch did the same function. I've seen some line-shaft machines with a similar arrangement where the jack-shaft is built into the machine (but still no motor), and think it was meant to be kind-of-a intermediate design that allowed you to set-up a shop or single machine without having to fully integrate it into a building. On your lathe for example, you could belt it directly to a stationary engine to operate, while other line shaft lathes would require the jackshaft to be installed squarely to the ceiling or wall first.

 

[johnoder]

Here is the Monarch list of pubs on VM

There are a few entries for the really old ones

Monarch Machine Tool Co. - Publication Reprints | VintageMachinery.org

 

[jlegge]

From the photo it appears to be a Model E which means it is a 12 inch swing lathe. Monarch only made generic manuals that over all lathes built during this period. Monarch Lathes LP might have the build records for this lathe.