Photo Index - George L. Fairbanks - cast iron framed treadle lathe

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
George L. Fairbanks
Worcester, MA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Wood
Machine Size:	approx 8" by 16"
Submitted By:	Robert Bernstein

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	cast iron framed treadle lathe
Date of Manufacturer:	thought to be 1880's
Serial Number:
Last Updated	11/28/2004 12:00:00 AM

Comments:

I've told in an October 2004 post, how I bought this machine. Some correspondence ensued; additional information would be welcome.

The photographs do not show the treadle apparatus well. One wood treadle, connected via two iron arms to a swivel shaft, drives the large lower cast iron four step pulley via a crank-link apparatus. The pulley is cast with a counterbalance and is far the heaviest item on the machine. It's largest diameter is 23 inch

A wood tool shelf--of black walnut with a molded applied lip, supported by two cast brackets screwed to the back of the bed--also does not show well in these photos. This appears original and contains 8 mounting holes (6 small for the spindle taper tools and 2 large for the wood-turning rests)for various tooling.

I believe the 1" diam spindle has 12 threads per inch. The taper may be the smallest Morse: I'm not sure of this. Head and tail-stock tapers are the same. Tooling with the lathe includes two spur centers, one tailstock cup center, two 60 degree centers, one 4.5" drive plate, two wood-working tool rests, one DE Whiton, Stafford Conn 3-jaw, spanner tightened chuck, one Wescott 'Little Giant' westcott, Oneida, NY patented 1885 2- jaw chuck with chuck wrench, one Sloan, Chace, Newark, NJ compound rest (incomplete), a couple of drive dogs, one small drill pad and an array of small forged tool bits. There is finely made knockout bar. The headstock has turned, loose, covers for the spindle oil holes, both front and rear. It is surprising to me that these loose bits have not been lost.

The lathe spins nicely. I have turned a few items--from fresh, soft, maple--and was pleased at just how easily I could tread and cut: I was both pleased and surprised.

Photo 1:

Comments: Overall view; treadle barely visible at bottom
Source: R. Bernstein

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Photo 2:

Comments: Head stoc, showing four step pulley, ornamented oil hole caps
Source: R. Bernstein

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Photo 3:

Comments: Manufacturer's plate, painted cast brass
Source: R. Bernstein

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