Photo Index - J. Gleason - spoke lathe

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
J. Gleason
Philadelphia, PA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Wood
Machine Size:
Submitted By:	Mike Burian

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	spoke lathe
Date of Manufacturer:	1875
Serial Number:
Last Updated	7/30/2006 12:00:00 AM

Comments:

3-speed model, manufactured in 1875. I purchased the lathe from the Bionic Man in Palmyra, NY. His outfit had used it to turn spokes for old automobile restorations. He had purchased it from Charlie Wacker of Wacker Truck Bodies in Philadelphia. Mr. Wacker's outfit had used it in the manufacture of truck wheels in the early part of the 20th Century. I was told Wacker had a contract with the Philadelphia Inquirer (Enquirer?) to manufacture their delivery trucks, until aluminum truck bodies replaced wooden bodies. I know of two other Gleason spoke lathes, both in Pennsylvania. One is an 1871 single-speed model at Bahr's Mill, the other is an 1873 3-speed model at Gruber Wagon Works.

Photo 1:

Comments: front view
Source: me

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Photo 2:

Comments: maker's badge
Source: me

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Photo 3:

Comments: example of spoke turned on lathe
Source: me

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