Photo Index - W. P. Davis - W. P. Davis Engine lathe

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
W. P. Davis
North Bloomfield, NY; Rochester, NY

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Metal
Machine Size:	6" x 60"
Submitted By:	Michael Alsup

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	W. P. Davis Engine lathe
Date of Manufacturer:	approx. 1890
Serial Number:	202
Last Updated	1/5/2018 7:48:19 AM

Comments:

Lathe legs indicate W.P. Davis Machine Co., Rochester, NY. I acquired this lathe at a local salvage yard where it had been sold as scrap cast iron. It was a line shaft driven model which I changed to 1HP 1 Phase electric motor. The upper drive system (cone pulleys)are machined from an apple tree trunk from my property (a proof of concept thing that never got changed. Although the tailstock was found near the lathe I had to manufacture a new tailstock lock. I stripped the lathe, sandblasted, soda blasted, used steel wool and wire wheels to remove the rust. Three coats of epoxy primer and Rustoleum Dark Machine Gray were applied and the lathe was reassembled. I built the column and motor mount using a chain binder to increase tension to the flat synthetic belt. I purchased and mounted a 10" Bison three-jaw chuck onto a fabricated backing plate. I am currently building a steady rest for the 60" bed.

Currently, this is a running lathe and I have used it several times. The gear train is noisy and it is annoying that the carriage does not have calibration dials but all-in-all this lathe was built about 1890, I think.

Photo 1:

Comments: Overall from headstock to tailstock
Source: M. B. Alsup

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Photo 2:

Comments: Davis lathe photo 2
Source: M. B. Alsup

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Photo 3:

Comments: Davis gear train - photo 3
Source: M. B. Alsup

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Photo 4:

Comments: Davis lathe - right headstock bearing and chuck mounting
Source: M. B. Alsup

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Photo 5:

Comments: Davis lathe - Apron, cross slide, carriage
Source: M. B. Alsup

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Photo 6:

Comments: Davis lathe - motor, drive setup and apple tree cone pulley flat belt drive
Source: M. B. Alsup

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