I'm not a machinist, just a hobbyist who likes old tools and sometimes spontaneously buys things when the price is too low to pass up. I bought a Monarch lathe the other day for $50 out of someone's garage and figured I had nothing to lose. I think it's a Model AA, but if someone knows otherwise please correct me. There's no nameplate aside from the feed speeds and an JL Osborne Machy & Tools plate. I believe it's a 16" swing.
There is gunk on the ways like surface rust combined with old cutting oil that's turned to grease, but after cleaning off the right side where the serial number is supposed to be, it says, "Lot 299 Mach 8". The reason of my post: can anyone decifer this for me? I think Lot 299 is the serial number which I think makes this lathe really old, but I don't know what Mach 8 means.
There is gunk on the ways like surface rust combined with old cutting oil that's turned to grease, but after cleaning off the right side where the serial number is supposed to be, it says, "Lot 299 Mach 8". The reason of my post: can anyone decifer this for me? I think Lot 299 is the serial number which I think makes this lathe really old, but I don't know what Mach 8 means.
