decoding no3 M1200

I am the happy new owner of a very nice Warner & Swasey No.3 M-1200 and I am one of those kinds that like to know as much about things as possible..i would like to know the year, and also if anyone knows what some of these other number mean.. Lot # 418, Serial # 1467997, then on the same plaque it just says NO 1498-5024, then their is a seperate tag near by that has SCCC 3416-4320-1001, and last but not least another tag. USN-13093 she is cleaning up real nice, and i am really happy that it also came with as far as i can tell the Threading Gearbox win win...any help with any of the dates, or meanings of the extra numbers is highly appreciated thank you for your time and consideration Have A Blessed Day

1467997 about 1943. I'd guess the other numbers come from owners or accesory makers (like the motor), not makers. The riveted on bronze "SC" suggests SUPPLY CORPS - the folks responsible for getting it to the first end user

Local631 said:

I am the happy new owner of a very nice Warner & Swasey No.3 M-1200 and I am one of those kinds that like to know as much about things as possible..i would like to know the year, and also if anyone knows what some of these other number mean.. Lot # 418, Serial # 1467997, then on the same plaque it just says NO 1498-5024, then their is a seperate tag near by that has SCCC 3416-4320-1001, and last but not least another tag. USN-13093 she is cleaning up real nice, and i am really happy that it also came with as far as i can tell the Threading Gearbox win win...any help with any of the dates, or meanings of the extra numbers is highly appreciated thank you for your time and consideration Have A Blessed Day

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Check out the W&S publications : http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=2261&tab=3

FWIW the SCCC number has the same format, including the same first four digits, as the "Plant Equipment Code" ("P.E.C.") on the builder's plate on my 1977 10EE Monarch: 3416-2111-2020. I've seen this same number on the builder's plate on other 10EE's, so it's not unique to each machine.

Thank you for posting this, I have a sort of fascination for the W&S turret lathes as they were such an iconic American machine tool builder. Interesting to see an engine lathe-like quick change gear box on one.

David

old_dave said:

FWIW the SCCC number has the same format, including the same first four digits, as the "Plant Equipment Code" ("P.E.C.") on the builder's plate on my 1977 10EE Monarch: 3416-2111-2020. I've seen this same number on the builder's plate on other 10EE's, so it's not unique to each machine.

Thank you for posting this, I have a sort of fascination for the W&S turret lathes as they were such an iconic American machine tool builder. Interesting to see an engine lathe-like quick change gear box on one.

David

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it seems this one was outfitted for the Navy Northern Ordinance the rest of the card was missing, but i assume thats what the USN-13093 number was for.. their for it has most of the goodies like Hydraulic collet chuck, Hydraulic feed, Threading and Feed gear box. and although i did not get but a handful of cutters, i did get 3 trays of collets.. hex 3/16 to 1.5/16, round from i think 1/8 to 1.5 inch, and square in most common sizes 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.25
i think their is 70 in total. also an extra oil tank and pump thats seperate from the unit itself...
i restore muscle cars and build custom motorcycles as a hobbie and have always wanted a lathe and not just a lathe you can order online, but one like you said iconic, and historic,
when i started looking i became very interested in W&S because they came from Massachusetts { where i am from } met at Exeter Machine Works in New Hampshire in 1866 and went together to Pratt & Whiney a few years later then started Warner & Swasey in 1880 and by 1928 was the worlds largest manufacturer of turret lathes. what could be more inspirational than that and the fact that their lathes still to this day can easily handle doing their job..they dont make cars like they use to and they dont build machines like they used to. not just functional but the attention to detail and rugid good looks.. everyone has their own view and feelings thats cool, but i have wanted a no.3 M-1200 since i was 16 and a friends dad had one and whenever i needed something i couldnt find or make his dad could whip it up out of nothing in less than an hour..

TOM RICHARDSON said:

Check out the W&S publications : http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=2261&tab=3

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thank you very much for that page lead, very helpful with reading material. i will gladly donate to them later today when i am in my office. i didnt find the answer to all the numbers but i found answers to questions i havent even asked yet.. very very cool, thank you much Brother that was a rabbit hole im glad i jumped in,, lol

johnoder said:

1467997 about 1943. I'd guess the other numbers come from owners or accesory makers (like the motor), not makers. The riveted on bronze "SC" suggests SUPPLY CORPS - the folks responsible for getting it to the first end user

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I cant believe I missed it ,, you are right the 1498-5024 is on the electric equipment tag i showed above..

old_dave said:

FWIW the SCCC number has the same format, including the same first four digits, as the "Plant Equipment Code" ("P.E.C.") on the builder's plate on my 1977 10EE Monarch: 3416-2111-2020. I've seen this same number on the builder's plate on other 10EE's, so it's not unique to each machine.

Thank you for posting this, I have a sort of fascination for the W&S turret lathes as they were such an iconic American machine tool builder. Interesting to see an engine lathe-like quick change gear box on one.

David

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Local631 said:

I cant believe I missed it ,, you are right the 1498-5024 is on the electric equipment tag i showed above..

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but that turns out to be only 1/2 the story,, because I am an insomniac and bipolar when i dig into things i dig Hard. so inside my insanely oversized fuse box there is a 1/4 steal plate a hair smaller than the box itself and it is held on by 6 bolts that do not go threw the back of the box and their is another such plate that covers the entire back of the box and continues to the floor mounting 4 bolts to the leg that houses the electric motor and coming off the top of fuse box mounting 2 bolts to top of machine.. I not noticing the rear plate was the entire back do not know if my left nut will ever return.. why a machine fuse and wiring need to be surrounded in a bullet proof box I will never know. but what I do know is when later i removed 6 bolts to see what if anything was in that 1/2 in of space behind the plate inside the box... I found a little treasure waiting for me.. The Original Signed, Dated, and Numbered Warner and Swasey wiring diagram that tells Me My M-1200 is Dated May, 5, 1953 and the wiring diagram itself is numbered A-183372 which matches my tags on the machine.. so that answered a few questions..also the 1498 is the sub model number and i can guess the 5024 would be the sub panel for the wiring diagram 374 which i think is for the hydraulic pump wiring

A most unusual machine.........never seen a capstan with Norton feed box before.........I suspect the thread pitch drive was used with taps and die heads for very short leads ,like threading a 3/8 long section of a brass tube or similar...You also have a couple of fancy turret tools ,alls needed now is a couple of roller boxes and a couple of drill/tap holders ...you should be able to find them dirt cheap.

thank for your reply..i am waiting for my new electric motor to come in, and I have her stripped pretty much down to just the main body, pan. and legs.. the cross ways and turret and saddle , motor, and hydraulic pump are removed for heavy cleaning and a custom paint job.. i believe the thread and screw gear box are original Warner and Swasey..parts .. and yes it seems very rare.. i have heard of one hear or their most being old military ones like my Navy No.3