I have the opportunity to buy an old Crescent Machine Co V-14 lathe made some time in the 40's. Does anyone have any experience or information on these? I found an brochure on the net. It looks really solid and will probably last another lifetime. I am concerned about the 1 1/8" 10 tpi spindle. I haven't been able to find anyone that makes a chuck in that size.
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Vintage lathe
- Thread starter John Copenhaver
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- crescent lathe vintage
Go here, http://vintagemachinery.org
You should be able to get lots of info about your lathe.
You should be able to get lots of info about your lathe.
Ask yourself a lot of questions first......
John:
You have already identified my major concern for restoring vintage lathes as a "user" lathe.... the spindle size...
The non-standard spindle size will continue to be an impediment to adding chucks, faceplates, and other accessories to the lathe. I suppose you could have a special adapter machined for this threading to a standard size, but you will need to use it at all times to fit currently available accessories.
You also do not state if there is a Morse Taper present in the spindle - the vast majority of present-day taper accessories for wood lathes of the scale we normally work with is a Morse number 2 taper. (Also, a similar concern exists for the tailstock quill - the taper size and operation of the quill should be checked). What size is the tool-rest shank? [Modern tool rests tend to standardize on 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter.] Another thing to check is how the banjo and tailstock lock into position on the lathe bed ('ways') - is this a bolt-based system requiring a wrench, or is there a lever/cam locking system?? The convenience and speed of such an adjustment system needs to be considered relative to what is available for a modern lathe - the more difficult or inconvenient it is to make the adjustments, the fewer times you are inclined to move the parts!
Other obvious questions are to examine cast parts for cracks, check mechanical function of all parts, and evaluate the motor and how specific it is to that lathe. If the motor 'craps-out' or "dies", can it be replaced easily, can it be repaired/re-wound, etc., or are you dead in the water? Fears of having to find a unique, lathe-specific part are always present when restoring or using a vintage machine.
I have known people to go through quite a bit of effort and expense to bring back a vintage lathe 'to life", only to be frustrated by the inherent limitations of the lathe's original design compared to 'modern' lathes available today. You will have to answer the question of whether you will be able to live with this lathe for a while, invest the time and money into its restoration, and are willing to take what may be a loss if you intend to sell it in the future. There probably will not be a lot of buyers for a lathe of this vintage, even if nicely restored, other than those wanting to own something vintage (which will likely be few in number). It would be good to ask yourself many of these questions before making the commitment to buy and restore a vintage lathe as a 'user' lathe.
I love to see vintage machinery restored, but if this is to be your primary lathe, I would be hesitant to take the plunge. Last year I restored a very small treadle lathe from 1881 (maybe the first 'mini-lathe' - a "Prize Holly" Lathe made by A.H. Shipman in Syracuse, NY), and enjoy it as a "looker" lathe that now sits in my living room as an antique. I enjoyed going through the restoration process, but I don't think I'd consider restoring a vintage machine as my main "user" lathe, given the concerns raised above.
I hope I've given you some food (and concerns) for thought...!!
Rob
John:
You have already identified my major concern for restoring vintage lathes as a "user" lathe.... the spindle size...
The non-standard spindle size will continue to be an impediment to adding chucks, faceplates, and other accessories to the lathe. I suppose you could have a special adapter machined for this threading to a standard size, but you will need to use it at all times to fit currently available accessories.
You also do not state if there is a Morse Taper present in the spindle - the vast majority of present-day taper accessories for wood lathes of the scale we normally work with is a Morse number 2 taper. (Also, a similar concern exists for the tailstock quill - the taper size and operation of the quill should be checked). What size is the tool-rest shank? [Modern tool rests tend to standardize on 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter.] Another thing to check is how the banjo and tailstock lock into position on the lathe bed ('ways') - is this a bolt-based system requiring a wrench, or is there a lever/cam locking system?? The convenience and speed of such an adjustment system needs to be considered relative to what is available for a modern lathe - the more difficult or inconvenient it is to make the adjustments, the fewer times you are inclined to move the parts!
Other obvious questions are to examine cast parts for cracks, check mechanical function of all parts, and evaluate the motor and how specific it is to that lathe. If the motor 'craps-out' or "dies", can it be replaced easily, can it be repaired/re-wound, etc., or are you dead in the water? Fears of having to find a unique, lathe-specific part are always present when restoring or using a vintage machine.
I have known people to go through quite a bit of effort and expense to bring back a vintage lathe 'to life", only to be frustrated by the inherent limitations of the lathe's original design compared to 'modern' lathes available today. You will have to answer the question of whether you will be able to live with this lathe for a while, invest the time and money into its restoration, and are willing to take what may be a loss if you intend to sell it in the future. There probably will not be a lot of buyers for a lathe of this vintage, even if nicely restored, other than those wanting to own something vintage (which will likely be few in number). It would be good to ask yourself many of these questions before making the commitment to buy and restore a vintage lathe as a 'user' lathe.
I love to see vintage machinery restored, but if this is to be your primary lathe, I would be hesitant to take the plunge. Last year I restored a very small treadle lathe from 1881 (maybe the first 'mini-lathe' - a "Prize Holly" Lathe made by A.H. Shipman in Syracuse, NY), and enjoy it as a "looker" lathe that now sits in my living room as an antique. I enjoyed going through the restoration process, but I don't think I'd consider restoring a vintage machine as my main "user" lathe, given the concerns raised above.
I hope I've given you some food (and concerns) for thought...!!
Rob
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The price of a vintage machine might be attractive, but the time and expense of restoring it might negate all of the initial cost benefit. Rob gave you a very good list of other things to consider as well.
People restore vintage automobiles, tractors, steam engines, etc., to original condition because they can take them to various types of events to display for others to see. There really isn't much of an opportunity to do the same with a vintage lathe. If you intend to bring it up to today's standards then it no longer is a vintage machine ... but, it might be called a Franken-lathe. 😀
One other thing to consider -- you woodturning hobby will be replaced by a machine building hobby ... at least for a while.
People restore vintage automobiles, tractors, steam engines, etc., to original condition because they can take them to various types of events to display for others to see. There really isn't much of an opportunity to do the same with a vintage lathe. If you intend to bring it up to today's standards then it no longer is a vintage machine ... but, it might be called a Franken-lathe. 😀
One other thing to consider -- you woodturning hobby will be replaced by a machine building hobby ... at least for a while.
Advice taken
I have taken a good look at the lathe and have heeded your advice and given it a pass. Non-standard spindle and no Morse #2 taper spells problems. I guess that I will have to save my pennies for a Oneway , Robust or other top of the line lathe. Thanks
I have taken a good look at the lathe and have heeded your advice and given it a pass. Non-standard spindle and no Morse #2 taper spells problems. I guess that I will have to save my pennies for a Oneway , Robust or other top of the line lathe. Thanks
I'm one of those guys who likes to restore old woodworking machines as much as I like woodworking. I stick with machines that were known for being well made and mass produced so parts can be found and I only buy machines that I plan to use. The Old Woodworking Machines website (OWWM.org) has all the information you need to do a restoration project including how to add modern electronics. I highly recommend visiting this site if you are thinking about doing a restoration project. You won't be able to get an appraisal of a machine you are considering but you will be able to find out what you should be looking for before you buy it. Its also a great site to find missing parts.
I've restored four Powermatic 90's and still have three of them. I spent a total of $550 -$1,200 on the lathes I restored depending on what I had to do to them. My latest restoration is a 1981 Powermatic 90 with 3" shop made HDMP riser blocks, VFD, remote on/off control, machine levelers, two lights, and two built-in 110 v. outlets. It weighs over 1000 pounds with the extra ballast I added to the cabinet. I've had an opportunity to use "modern" lathes and think my PM90's compare very favorably with lathes that cost more than twice as much. All three Powermatics and my wife's Jet mini-lathe get regular use in my shop by a group from church and members of my woodturning club.
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neighbors
Roy-we're neighbors!!!!-10 mi away. Have we met??? What turning club??? (Holly?)
I did the Williamston craft show last year after the 3-4 year hiatus when the hurricane took out the trees at the park. Have applied for this years. I know nothing about machines. Usually can find the on/off switch😉 Gretch
Roy-we're neighbors!!!!-10 mi away. Have we met??? What turning club??? (Holly?)
I did the Williamston craft show last year after the 3-4 year hiatus when the hurricane took out the trees at the park. Have applied for this years. I know nothing about machines. Usually can find the on/off switch😉 Gretch
You're less than 10 miles from me. I'm on Meridian Rd across the street from the Meridian Township park. I'm a member of the Michigan Association of Woodturners that meets in Holly. Several members and a few non-members from the Lansing area take turns hosting informal gatherings. You'll have to stop by some time or join our car pool to the next meeting.