The world's biggest lathe handwheel?

[ford34/2]

Could be a 7" Drummond:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/drummondlargerlathes/
Maybe the big motor is knackered and the easiest solution was to sling a wee one underneath, and boy does it look Small for this size lathe

 

[julianthegypsy]

Aye aye cap'n, steady as she goes! Nice piece of kit, but why does it look like it's running two motors? :-o

 

[MattF]

I'd guess a simple motor reversing setup. Two motors rotating in opposite directions, with only one being live at any given time. Smaller motor would likely be for reverse direction. Either that or the start cap or winding is knacked on the big motor, so they fitted a start up motor.

 

[eil]

For reverse wouldn't he put the car gearbox in reverse, hope a forum member gets this ,would be interesting to know more about it seeing the same person has owned it for 40yrs.

 

[eil]

Both motors are still connected to the twin socket on the front of the lathe though, intriguing.

 

[ford34/2]

well spotted that man, most strange,
Mine came with a great hulk of a motor, when it was running the house lights flickered, It got treated to an equally big old Brook motor, 1 1/2 Hp, I think the shaft was 1 1/4". With out doubt the accessories are worth buying the lathe for and a hell of a start for the owner.
Stan

 

[aametalmaster]

Never seen anything like this on the front of a lathe. Perhaps the owner was a retired sea-captain

The old WS turret lathes here in the US had large 4 spoke handles that large they just didn't have the ring around them which would be easier to grab in any spot...Bob

 

[ronan]

It ain't so big

 

[ronan]

bigger

 

[ronan]

even bigger

 

[MattF]

How gutting must it have been if they took a few thou too much off with one of those machines. More than just a case of binning it and starting again.

 

[ronan]

How gutting must it have been if they took a few thou too much off with one of those machines. More than just a case of binning it and starting again.

"oi fred, i think i've dropped a clanger this end"

 

[MattF]

That's one ensuing conversation where you'd definitely want to be a fly on the wall.

 

[Fintray]

The size of that swarf takes some beating!

 

[Robotstar5]

I was wondering how many men it takes to grind the cutting tool?

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Yeah you wouldn't want a bit of that swarf to snag you would you!!

 

[Shox Dr]

Yeah you wouldn't want a bit of that swarf to snag you would you!!

I was thinking that. We worry about getting a finger caught, that stuff could cut you in half

 

[ibrooks]

And frequently did.

There's a guy here who doesn't wear short sleeved shirts because he got dragged into a lathe whilst doing his apprenticeship. He's probably north of 55 now.

Iain

 

[ronan]

The size of that swarf takes some beating!

I think that photo was taken in armstrongs factory, they and other factories used to have a competition for who had the longest continuous piece of swarf, they would all be laid out, bets taken and afterwards much drinking occurred.

 

[madkayaker]

well that sold cheep