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Instructions for taking a set of "Mug Shots" to identify a lathe or other machine

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Instructions for taking a set of "Mug Shots" to identify a lathe or other machine

Inquiries to Antique Machinery & History requesting help with the identification of old machines seem to turn up several times a week. Unfortunately, many of these are not accompanied by sufficient photographs to make a definite ID. This has led to misunderstood requests for sufficient information. Forum members are neither curmuddgeons nor clairvoyants

The purpose if this post is to propose a set of "mug shots" which will facilitate identifying old lathes and other machines.

Photos to Identify Lathes:
1) Overall front view showing legs.
2) End view of headstock from LEFT end of machine. If there is a hinged door covering the gears, open it. Include the end of the left leg.
3) Front view of headstock, showing quick-change (threading) gearbox, if any
4) Frame-filling view of the carriage apron
5) Frame-filling view of the front of the tailstock
6) End view of tailstock from RIGHT end of machine. Include the end of the right leg.
7) Downward view showing top of carriage.
8) Any nameplates, typically threading charts, or raised lettering on legs, bed, headstock, gear cover or doors. Note that the MOTOR nameplate will not help identify the machine.
9) Pictures must be jpeg (jpg) files, less than 97kbytes. Use the "Advanced" posting window, your pictures can be added via the "Manage Attachments" option.

Photos to Identify Other Old Machines:
1) Front
2) Left side
3) Right side
4) Frame-filling view of any controls, such as an array of levers, any dials, etc.
5) Any nameplates, typically feed charts, or raised lettering on legs, bed, headstock, gear cover or doors. Note that the MOTOR nameplate will not help identify the lathe.

Needless to say, proper lighting is desirable. If possible adding a common item to the photo, Soda Can, Pencil, Dollar Bill helps give
a person an idea of the size of the subject.

The South Bend forum has an excellent thread on posting pictures;

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/posting-pictures-south-bend-forum-128994/
 
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Jim Christie

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Joined
Mar 14, 2007
Location
L'Orignal, Ontario Canada
I’m thinking that since a lot of folks who would start these sorts of threads don’t know much about machinery to begin with perhaps adding some some sample labeled pictures pictures to go with the suggested list might be of help or providing some links to examples of threads that have already been posted that were done especially well.

Here are a some places I found. Hopefully folks will take the time to check out these links.

First year lathe work prepared for students in technical, manual training, and trade schools, and for the apprentice in the shop

How to run a lathe; the care and operation of a screw-cutting lathe : South Bend Lathe Works : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive

Internet Archive Search: creator:"South Bend Lathe Works"

International Library of Technology: A Series of Textbooks for Persons Engaged in the ...

Maybe some of Brian’s pictures in this thread could serve as examples for a typical old lathe .

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/antique-machinery-history/john-bertram-sons-lathe-saved-230971/

Here are some pictures from pages of a 1969 shop text book I have Machine Shop Theory and Practice By F.H. Hallett (MacMillan Co. of Canada publishers )

Regards,
Jim
 

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