Photo Index - Yates-American Machine Co., Inc. - J-170

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Yates-American Machine Co., Inc.
Beloit, WI; Roscoe, IL; Liberty, NC

True Manufacturer:
Yates-American Machine Co., Inc., Beloit, WI; Roscoe, IL; Liberty, NC

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Wood
Machine Size:	12"
Submitted By:	D.L. (Larry) Felton

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	J-170
Date of Manufacturer:	1949-1950 (est.)
Serial Number:	J170-9
Last Updated	4/13/2023 4:05:45 PM

Comments:

This is not my lathe; it was one of two for sale on eBay in May, 2020 by a seller in Thebes, Illinois. I communicated with the seller (duckman416), who kindly provided the serial numbers for both lathes (j170-9 and j170-10.) They are some of the lowest serial numbered (i.e. oldest) J170s of which I'm aware, so I'm posting the seller's photos here.

The starting bid was $700, but it apparently did not sell on eBay, as this same lathe (i.e. same photos) was later (May/June 2020) offered for sale on the Vintage Machinery Classified Ads in ( http://vintagemachinery.org/classifieds/detail.aspx?id=18300 ). The seller was Csalmon (Chris Salmon), and the item location was listed as Cape Girardeau, Missouri (just across the Mississippi from Thebes.) I don't know, but suspect Chris was also the eBay seller. Asking price was $875; again, I don't know if it sold.

This and some other very low-numbered, oval-based J170s are distinct in that they have "J170, YATES-AMERICAN" in raised letters cast on the front of the head stock. These raised letters also show up in several of the earliest sales publications (e.g. http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=1391 and http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=19958 ) but were apparently soon replaced by the snazzy round chromed badge on the front of the support column on later models, until that too was replaced by much plainer flat red badge printed on aluminum.

Photo 1:

Comments: J170-9, overview, from tailstock end.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020

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Photo 2:

Comments: J170-9, headstock showing raised cast letters.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020

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Photo 3:

Comments: J170-9, left end of bed with banjo and tailstock.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020

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Photo 4:

Comments: J170-9, tailstock detail and serial number stamped on rear of bed.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020

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Photo 5:

Comments: J170-9, outboard end of headstock, showing motor access door.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020

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Photo 6:

Comments: J170-9, rear view, showing motor control cover near bottom of headstock column.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020

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