Photo Index - Oliver Machinery Co. - Oliver # 20-B Pattern Maker's

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:	20" Swing, 10' Bed
Submitted By:	Chuck Hess

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Oliver # 20-B Pattern Maker's
Date of Manufacturer:	1948
Serial Number:	69595 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	12/9/2007 9:04:30 AM

Comments:

Oliver #20-B Pattern Makers Lathe, Serial # 69595, 1948.
Aloha,
I found this lathe because I was looking for a bandsaw and answered an ad. As so many times it happens this way; the bandsaw was sold but there was this nice little ole lathe that sounded real sweet. In 1997 I bought this from a professional turner because he had found an Oliver #20 with an 18' bed and he was letting this one go, not enough room for 2 large lathes. This one has the 10' foot bed so it goes about 78" between centers. I was a little confused about the bed length, but Rich informed me that bed length is measured from stem to stern. The 20-B would have come with an 8' bed as standard but any length in 2' increments could be ordered from Oliver. The lathe also came with a nicely done bed extension fabricated by the previous owner so that he could turn about 12' between centers. I have never used this feature but the cool thing about that is that the only modifications to the original machine were 2 holes tapped in the end of the bed casting. It also came well tooled with hand feeding carriage and accessories, 6" & 18" tool rests, 30" double post tool rest, right angle tool rest, 2 banjos, 8" & 12" faceplates, 20" outboard face plate and outboard tool rest stand. The B stands for the 20" swing over the bed model. The floor's the limit on the outboard side.
This one has the 2 speed 600/1200 RPM, 2 HP motor, so with the 4 step pulley that gives 8 speeds, from 180 to 2700 RPMs, and it runs very smooth. It is a 480 volt only motor, as most of Oliver's dual speed motors are single voltage. This model has a swiveling headstock for tapered turning, can be moved about 5 degrees either direction. Head stock and tail stock spindles have #4 morse tapers.
Funny thing happened when I sold my shop in the Midwest, I let the guy have my turning tools. I had a prized set, all long and strong, that I had purchased at Frog Tool Co. in downtown Chicago about 1980. So I was moving to Maui with a very loose business plan but sort of thought I would buy a scuba business and would not be doing anymore turning. So in a weak moment I let the turning tools go with the old shop. But after I opened a custom cabinet shop in Maui and bought this lathe I called the guy just to see if I could get my turning tools back. He said that he had not used them and that he would send them to me for free! He just asked that I turn him a bowl out of Hawaiian wood. I am very happy to have gotten those back.
This was a very large crate to come from New Jersey to Maui. It was the first large machine that I brought from the mainland and I started my shipping huge things to Maui education. I was lucky in that the previous owner did a superb job in crating and everything arrived with no damage. This was not really a restoration all I did was install it and paint it later. I only painted the front because I haven't moved it since it arrived. I'll finish the job someday.
This is a great lathe and I really love it. Nicest lathe I've ever used.
Aloha,
Chuck

Update 10/29/07;
We brought this lathe with us to North Carolina and it is living in the new shop that my family and I have built. It has already been 10 years since I got this lathe and we are having a great time teaching all the kids how to turn on it. I am updating the photos to show the new installation. Still a great lathe!

Photo 1:

Comments: Great Oliver Lathe!
Source: My old camera

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Photo 2:

Comments: Coopered maple column tops
Source: My old camera

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Photo 3:

Comments: 1 sic lathe, bra!
Source: My old camera

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