Photo Index - Shepard, Lathe & Co. - production back geared lathe

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Shepard, Lathe & Co.
Worcester, MA

True Manufacturer:
Shepard, Lathe & Co., Worcester, MA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery & Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Wood
Machine Size:	18 X 48 /with risers
Submitted By:	Bruce Merritt

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	production back geared lathe
Date of Manufacturer:	circa 1855-1856
Serial Number:	16
Last Updated	5/5/2012 11:49:11 AM

Comments:

This Shepard Lathe,Was from the original "Smith+Wesson" plant,in springfield Mass. thrown away,after they closed the wood shop..I saved it one day before it was slated for the metal crusher..Complete with all chucks/tools bearing the #37 Smith&Wesson shop machine numbers intact..rebuilt,and rebabbited by me,and runs great..the tooling {yes I was lucky..."All there"}the chucks and tooling were made by "E. Horton & Sons Maker's" in Windsor Locks Ct. patent dates on my chucks are Nov. 18 1855..I know of Two others{lathes} like mine,and they are in "Salter's Mill" museum,in Pawtucket RI. and at my last visit, were not in running condition..the museum has a lot of other machinery "Braiders".."Looms" and a great restored water power setup...worth a visit....I use the lathe for more "Ornamental" turning.{seen here}.hence the powered adjustable flycutter.."temp mounted" to the cross slide..cutting the scollups you see on the piece....by powering the carriage in back gear it feeds the cutter along the length of the piece..turning the cutter mount {sideways}up or down increases or decreases the cut radius..the lathe will also still cut a 4"X4"X48 piece of Oak within .010" end to end.{for making 4-poster beds}Do Enjoy the pics....Bruce
Bruce

Photo 1:

Comments: 1855 Shepard lathe,with my powered flycutter attachment mounter for performing ornamental scrollwork.
Source: Photo by me in my basement shop

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Photo 2:

Comments: Headstock showing nameplate{gearcovers are mine for safety,and gear protection,the machine is used often
Source: photo's by me in my shop

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Photo 3:

Comments: Tailstock showing risor,and ofset screws for turning tapers
Source: photo's by me in my shop

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Photo 4:

Comments: page from "American Lathe Builders" catolog showing example of my model Lathe
Source: courtesy of "Astragal Press"

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Photo 5:

Comments: View showing overhead belt drive{fastened to house main beam.as belt stretches I move the lathe a little to maintain tension
Source: photo's by me in my shop

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Photo 6:

Comments: close - up of simple apron with slide {worm} engagement slot,and clutch tension knob above it..
Source: photo's by me in my shop

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