Photo Index - Millers Falls Co. - Goodell Improved Treadle Lathe

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Millers Falls Co.
Millers Falls, MA; New York, NY; Greenfield, MA; Cincinnati, OH

True Manufacturer:
Millers Falls Co., Millers Falls, MA; New York, NY; Greenfield, MA; Cincinnati, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Wood
Machine Size:	5"
Submitted By:	D.L. (Larry) Felton

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Goodell Improved Treadle Lathe
Date of Manufacturer:	1885-1922
Serial Number:
Last Updated	5/14/2015 11:05:30 AM

Comments:

Acquired September 2014 from CL; seller had salvaged from a friend who was ready to discard it. Finish is mostly in poor condition (looks like it may have been left outdoors or in a flooded basement), but otherwise the cast iron is in excellent condition, with no breaks. The lathe is surprisingly complete/intact (e.g. has both banjos w/ original set and hold down screws, long tool rest embossed "GOODELL IMPROVED", chuck, outboard grind stone, etc.) The original wooden rod connecting the treadle and flywheel is present but attachment is broken, so will need to be replaced. I purchased new leather belting (same as used for similar treadle sewing machines), so it will be functional when rehabilitation is completed.

The original finish was a very high gloss black Japanning(?), as evidenced in some protected areas (e.g. bottom of the headstock). I examined surviving finishes carefully; there is no evidence of any of the pin striping present on some other examples of this and/or the closely related "Companion" lathe.

I have completed cleanup of smaller part in EvapoRust with excellent results; I will use electrolytic reduction to clean legs and other larger pieces, then re-paint gloss black. I hate to sacrifice original finish, but feel it's too far gone to salvage effectively.

This is a charming, tiny lathe - 5" throw, bed ~25" wide, 27" high. See history at http://oldtoolheaven.com/treadle-tools/treadle-tools.htm. It appears it was more of a toy than a production tool - e.g. headstock has no bearings other than the cast iron of the housing. The spindle is a solid 1/2" shaft. I believe these were sometimes referred to as "boys' lathes."

Photo 1:

Comments: As received
Source: My Canon PowerShot

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Photo 2:

Comments: End view
Source: My Canon PowerShot

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Photo 3:

Comments: Maker's mark
Source: My Canon PowerShot

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Photo 4:

Comments: Headstock w/ chuck, grind stone
Source: My Canon PowerShot

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Photo 5:

Comments: Banjos and marked tool rest
Source: My Canon PowerShot

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Photo 6:

Comments: Tailstock
Source: My Canon PowerShot

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