They are currently in constant use in their proper designation as Brake Lathes. They turn at a relatively slow speed and are virtually indestructible. THe big one is probably 50 years old and still going strong. I just got it overhauled and cleaned up. It has 2 speeds. The little one has a variable speed setting.
My question is has anyone ever heard of one of these being used to make musical insturments? i.e. whistles, flutes, pipes. I know I.d have to set up another side ot hold the wood or metal. At some point if we ever change businesses I would like to know if I could keep these and put them in a future basement workshop.
I’m inclined to think these lathes would not be versatile enough for all the tasks involved in whistle/flute/pipe making. However, they might be extremely useful for various specialized tasks to save you having to break down a useful setup on a machinist’s lathe.
I would suggest you follow whatever classified ads in your vicinity specialize in used tools/machinery/etc. I got a very nice 1939 Atlas 6" X 36" capacity machinist’s lathe in very good condition for $325 at an estate auction, and I’ve seen others in the local “swap sheet” that would have served as well.
6x36? I didn’t know they made one that size. I use a 6x18, and the next one up I knew of was a 9xsomething. Interesting… I could use a tad more bed length
Thanks, Jerry. I’ll bet your right. They can definitely be used for metal. It always amazes me about how long these things last even if you use them constantly for years on end. They seem to be indestructible. Some of the instrument makers who post here are working with perfectly functioning vintage machines that they would never get rid of for any reason. I can’t remember when but there was a thread a while back…
Paul, I applaud your enginuity, but I think that Jerry’s right. I began to adapt one of the lathes that I had and soon discovered that the money I spent on parts and pieces would add up to enough to get a lathe suited for the task. My recommendation would be to sell the lathes and use the money to purchase a machine lathe (which work equally as well as a wood lathe). If it’s a wood lathe that you want, I’ve seen a decent one for under $400.
That said, however, it’d be a lot of fun experimenting. I could see turning a bowl on one of those.
Both of these lathes could be used with “metal spinning” techniques to produce metal woodwinds, brasswinds and horns of all types (including spinning metal tube into tapering conoid whistle bodies). The “Disk Lathe” can be used to produce metal Ocarinas in 2 halves (Disc cavity) or horn bells. Example:
I use my bowl lathe and an eccentric cam chuck to produce elipsoid halves spun over wooden molds for Budrio Ocarinas.(the cam chuck was once used to produce elipsoid wooden picture frames on the “Trammel Board” principal). Here is a “home made” rig for wood with cool eccentric designs…
