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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: J170-10
Last Updated 4/15/2023 3:54:49 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.) The starting bid was $700; I do not know if it sold (see discussion of J170-9, by the same seller, presumably Chris Salmon.) These are some of the lowest serial numbered (i.e. oldest) J-170s of which I'm aware, so I'm posting the seller's photos of these machines here.

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: J170-10, front view.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020
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Photo 2:

Comments: J170-10, headstock showing raised cast letters.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020
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Photo 3:

Comments: J170-10, left end of bed with banjo and tailstock.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020
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Photo 4:

Comments: J170-10, tailstock detail.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020
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Photo 5:

Comments: J170-10, support column under bed, showing serial number and location.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020
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Photo 6:

Comments: J170-10, rear view.
Source: Chris Salmon photo, 2020
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IMG Code