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:	J170-5
Last Updated	4/5/2024 4:11:34 PM

Comments:

This is the earliest Yates-American J170 lathe listed here to date. I was told about it by Jim Crammond while corresponding with him about a later J170 he owns. In April 2023, Jim wrote:

"I teach Windsor chairmaking at a place called Tillers International in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They have a number of different makes of lathes including a J-170. The last time I was there in March I happened to check the serial number on the J-170, it is J170-5. I took a picture of the lathe and the serial number..."

Jim sent me the accompanying photos, and in April 2024 provided this additional information:

"...I was at Tillers about a month ago and was able to talk to the donator of the lathe. As he recalls, he bought the lathe from the Paducah, KY school district about 30-35 years ago. He donated it to Tillers about 20 years ago. He seemed genuinely excited to hear that it was one of the first of that model to be manufactured and happy that there was an interest OWWM.... He was fine with posting pictures at Vintage Machinery."

(Tillers International is a very interesting organization. Check them out at: https://www.tillersinternational.org/our-vision)

The Tillers International J170-5 lathe looks almost identical to J170-9 and J170-10, which were offered for sale in 2020 in Thebes, Illinois/Cape Girardeau, Missouri (see separate Photo Index entries). A composite photo of the headstocks of these early machines (J170-5, -10 & -9) is included below. J170-9 has a slightly different domed-shaped speed control, but they look the same otherwise, including the raised letters on the head stock. These raised letters also show up in an early publication announcing the J-line (est. 1949-1950), but were apparently soon replaced by the snazzy round chromed badge on the front of the support column (cf. catalog images below).

We don't know any history of J170-9 and J170-10, but note that Thebes, Illinois and Cape Girardeau, Missouri (2020 location of J170-9 and 10) are within 70 miles of Paducah, Kentucky. Perhaps all three of these early Yates-America J170 lathes were originally acquired by the Paducah KY school District where the J170-5 previous owner acquired it 30-35 years ago.

Photo 1:

Comments: J170-5 at Tiller International School in Scotts, MI
Source: Jim Crammond photo

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Serial number on bed
Source: Jim Crammond photo

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: Composite view of headstocks of J170-5, J170-9 & J170-10
Source: Jim Crammond (L); eBay listings (C, R)

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 4:

Comments: "The New J-Line" flyer (L); somewhat later image, undated catalog.
Source: VM publications 1391, 430

Direct Link
IMG Code