Photo Index - Sebastian Lathe Co. - Sebastian floor model with gap bed

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Sebastian Lathe Co.
Cincinnati, OH; Covington, KY

True Manufacturer:
Sebastian Lathe Co., Cincinnati, OH; Covington, KY

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Metal
Machine Size:	Approx. 19" x 5" @ gap, otherwise 13" x 66" with total bed length of 72"
Submitted By:	Doug Thomle

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Sebastian floor model with gap bed
Date of Manufacturer:	1893-1895
Serial Number:	none
Last Updated	1/15/2019 5:22:39 PM

Comments:

This machine was purchased from Hallidie Machinery Company (Seattle) sometime between 1893 and 1896 by Ainsworth and Dunn for their Seattle Fish Company operations in Seattle, Washington. My uncle George Shindler (a Puget Sound commercial fisherman) purchased the machine about 1955 at a surplus machinery auction conducted for the successor company. I literally grew up with this machine because my uncle George was an incredible mentor and, as a kid, I spent a good deal of time with him in his shop where this machine resided. When George retired about 1997, he asked me if I would be interested in buying this machine for $600- so I very quickly became the machine's third owner. When I started restoring this machine, the Hallidie Company was kind enough to put me in touch with their retired corporate historian and he deduced that the machine was more than likely sold in 1896 because that was the year Hallidie had completely "run out" of the cast and milled brass sales agent plate I described was attached to my machine. I always wanted a big machine like this but could never afford to buy a similar modern machine at some $50,000. Besides, I think these older machines are far more "user friendly" and versatile to use than the modern ones. Regarding overall wear, this machine was in amazingly nice shape considering it's age but was really dirty and in need of cleanup and painting. Originally, I think, it was painted black but since most of the machines in my shop are forest green or gray I painted it green- I like green better than gray.

Photo 1:

Comments: View from headstock end showing the quick-change gearbox I designed and constructed. This machine is difficult to photograph because of it's size- 12' long x 6' high x 3' wide.
Source: Photos by Doug Thomle

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Front view. Storage business under the bed was constructed and added by myself during restoration process.
Source: Doug Thomle

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: Front view showing original accessories- milling vise, following rest, and steady rest.
Source: Doug Thomle

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 4:

Comments: Back view showing the bead-length tapering jig I designed and constructed
Source: Doug Thomle

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 5:

Comments: End view of quick change gearbox I designed and constructed.
Source: Doug Thomle

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 6:

Comments: Quick-change gearbox showing gear selection and ratio selection controls.
Source: Doug Thomle

Direct Link
IMG Code