Photo Index - Oliver Machinery Co. - 51-A wood lathe

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Oliver Machinery Co.
Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Wood
Machine Size:	48 inch center, 3/4 hp.
Submitted By:	David Meffert

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	51-A wood lathe
Date of Manufacturer:	December, 1941
Serial Number:	53382 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	4/28/2010 9:30:38 PM

Comments:

This Oliver 51-A was purchased new by the U.S. Army around 10 days after the attack at Pearl Harbor. It was delivered to the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus NY for use in the woodshop and served until the base was decommissioned in 2002. This lathe is a little over 6 feet long and can turn a 48 inch spindle. It uses a 3/4 hp. Howell Red Band 3 phase motor in speeds of 600, 1200, 1800 and 3600 RPM. I purchased the machine from the company retained to liquidate the base assets on E-Bay for $250.00. It had been painted battleship grey with a brush and all of the handles were bright yellow. I think I got a good approximation of the original color from behind the oliver emblem on the side of the bed. The lathe has been completely stripped to bare metal and repainted.

Photo 1:

Comments: Lathe with headstock
Source: Owner

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Photo 2:

Comments: Serial Number Tag
Source: Owner

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Photo 3:

Comments: Army Property tag
Source: Owner

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Photo 4:

Comments: Motor Tag, Howell "Red Band" 3/4 hp. 3 pahse.
Source: Owner

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