Photo Index - Midland Machine Corp. - The Popular Mechanic

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Midland Machine Corp.
Chicago, IL

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Combo Machine
Machine Size:	about 48" long
Submitted By:	Jukka Konola

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	The Popular Mechanic
Date of Manufacturer:	early to mid 1900s
Serial Number:
Last Updated	10/15/2020 2:41:48 PM

Comments:

While on business in Connecticut I ended up in the owner's barn and I spotted this tiny rusty lathe and commented that it was nice. The owner then bolted for the tool, grabbed it and threw it in the bed of my truck and said to please take it away. Apparently it was just in the way. I said "OK" and a deep sense of satisfaction enveloped me. Old iron just jumped in my truck without even having asked! The machine is obviously a lathe but a grinding wheel is in the headstock end. Also, I found a diminutive mitre gauge with the bar being 7" long that was hung on the tailstock. The machine badge reads Midland Appliance Corporation Chicago Ill. with a Mac logo in red script at the center. Beneath the Mac reads The Popular Mechanic. The lathe part would have a 9" swing and about 30" between centers. The motor at the headstock is by Wagner Electric Corporation St. Louis. It is a 1/4 hp unit with 1725 rpm, a good speed for grinding woodturning tools, chisels, etc.. My guess is that this item is a combination machine similar to the Delta Handi-Shop at http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id= 1697. I will check back to the barn to look for other attachments such as a table saw etc. If anyone knows something about this machine or has seen it in old magazines such as Popular Mechanics please let me know via my member profile e-mail link at this site.

[ADMIN NOTE 2020-10-15: Updated URL for the Delta Handi-Shop. The MAC machine and the Delta are similar but not different enough to suggest that they are not from the same manufacturer.]

Photo 1:

Comments: overall view
Source: Jukka Konola

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Photo 2:

Comments: tailstock
Source: Jukka Konola

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Photo 3:

Comments: machine badge and mitre gauge
Source:

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