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Dumpster finds

Not related to wood turning but does have a turning mechanism: My wife and I found a working singer treadle machine that was free on the side of the road.

A little bit of cleaning and stripping the paint and refinishing the table part, and we ended up with an amazing piece!
 
Being in a more rural area, instead of dumpster diving, I tend to stop when I see good stuff out for the trash man. A couple of my best side-of-the-road finds:

Jet horizontal metal bandsaw (needed a little tweaking, but works great)

Large heavy duty shop vac with all accessories and large wheels (just needed cleaning, filter)

I did go into a dumpster at the hospital for an old IV rack that had a bent base. An old broken office chair gave me a new base to mount it on-- Perfect for my Foredom motors.
 
Tom Kamila said:
Hi my name is Tom Kamila and I go to flea markets an dive into dumpsters!

Ok so tell me about your best flea market, road side and dumpster finds.

I'll start: A nice Ridgid 14 Gal vac. that just needed a new filter bag, side of the road free! A nice Quincy QTS-3 air compressor for fifty bucks at the flea market!
Click to expand...
There is an off topic section in the forums.
 
Tim Hunter said:
In similar manner, my New Haven patternmaker's lathe was discovered by a friend in the junk out behind a machine shop in east Texas.
View attachment 73605
...and then I rebuilt it:
View attachment 73606
View attachment 73607

Tim
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Tim Hunter said:
In similar manner, my New Haven patternmaker's lathe was discovered by a friend in the junk out behind a machine shop in east Texas.
View attachment 73605
...and then I rebuilt it:
View attachment 73606
View attachment 73607

Tim
Click to expand...
Tim so many people would look at that and see junk! Less and less people can see "what could be", with a little work. Beautiful find a amazing restoration!
 
Jordan Daoust said:
Not related to wood turning but does have a turning mechanism: My wife and I found a working singer treadle machine that was free on the side of the road.

A little bit of cleaning and stripping the paint and refinishing the table part, and we ended up with an amazing piece!
Click to expand...
Jordan too bad you don't live near me because we have a beautiful old machine like that with all the contents from when it was last used. A little time capsule. We are looking to pass it forward. Like you I love those old machines!
 
Tim Hunter said:
In similar manner, my New Haven patternmaker's lathe was discovered by a friend in the junk out behind a machine shop in east Texas.
New Haven Lathe As Found.jpeg
Click to expand...

It's unfortunate most on this forum have no understanding of pattern makers lathes. They can be a most valuable addition to a serious turner's shop.
 
Tom Kamila said:
Tim so many people would look at that and see junk! Less and less people can see "what could be", with a little work. Beautiful find a amazing restoration!
Click to expand...
Now that a darn fine rebuild, well done
 
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