Photo Index - Oliver Machinery Co. - No. 18-A

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:	36" swing, 16' bed
Submitted By:	Jeff McVey

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	No. 18-A
Date of Manufacturer:	1947
Serial Number:	67246
Last Updated	9/29/2022 6:52:35 PM

Comments:

This lathe is NOT mine, so please don't ask me questions about it! It actually belongs to Clint Crosby of Santa Barbara, CA, who has it listed on eBay, and who gave me permission to post the attached pictures. Here's the info I got from him: Story of lathe: I bought it from old timer 22 years ago, who had a big turning shop in LA. He said the original bed got melted down for money. And he built this nice I-beam bed. I do have some bed extensions but have never needed to use them. He said he got it off the MGM movie lot studio. It was used to turn the masts for “Mutiny on the Bounty” and other big sets they built in those days. It’s still has a Metro Golden Mayer plaque on it. You can see it just above the Oliver plaque in the photograph.
When I bought it, the lathe & bed were in impeccable shape, head and tail stock and pulley system still is. But since Lathe is so big I had to put it outside and cover it. It’s got a little tired looking from that. It’s still runs great and I have turned everything under the sun on it, big things that is. Believe it or not, the old timer is still live at 91 and living in Humboldt County. I just spoke with him he’s a very colorful individual. He’s been in woodworking and machinery all his life. Unfortunately after 36 years of woodworking and wood turning in Santa Barbara I’m closing the doors and I have a handful of possible buyers for that piece of equipment. Hope this helps a little. By the way, the old timer has said a woman who is an expert with this particular lathe said it’s the only one in existence.

Photo 1:

Comments: head & tailstock
Source: Clint Crosby

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Photo 2:

Comments: I-beam bed
Source: Clint Crosby

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Photo 3:

Comments: jack shaft
Source: Clint Crosby

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Photo 4:

Comments:
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Photo 5:

Comments: Data plate
Source: Clint Crosby

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Photo 6:

Comments: headstock
Source: Clint Crosby

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