Welcome! 

Register :: Login
Machinery Photo Index
Manufactured/Badged by:
Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl.
Milwaukee, WI; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

Machine Specifications
Machine Class: Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type: Lathe, Wood
Machine Size: 12 inch
Submitted By: Gerald Buttigieg
Machine Specifications
Description/Model: 46-111
Date of Manufacturer: 1967
Serial Number: DR 6001 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated 9/13/2014 3:07:02 PM

Comments:
On a recent trip to Cape Town, I detoured to visit my nephew in Sedgefield some 200 kms east of Cape Town. The visit was merely a stop over as we were restricted to an afternoon together only. As he is also a woodworker we spent time together in his workshop, discussing projects he had undertaken. The subject turned to my interest in Rockwell machines and he mentioned that a very close neighbour, an 86 year old retired doctor had a Rockwell lathe for sale. My nephew had no idea what model, what came with it and what price. I asked if there any chance of just having a look to see what he had. It was fortuitous that I had my pickup with me as we had decided to use it for the trip as I was supposed to pick up another machine in Cape Town but this had fallen through. We phoned the neighbour and he said we could come round and have a look at the lathe. So my wife, nephew and I got into the pickup and drove round. The lathe was a Rockwell Model 46-111 on a Rockwell cabinet stand Model 50-150 and seemed complete and in good condition. The doctor said he had various tool rests for it, a nice brand new lathe chuck as well as a lathe copier and a lathe steady rest. Well I expressed interest but had to impress on the seller that time was of the essence as we had a schedule to keep and could not linger. So I asked what price was wanted but the good doctor said I had to make an offer first. This I did but he wanting to have the last word upped it slightly and I agreed on the marginial increase. Then it came to getting the extras together but this was no easy matter as the good doctor refused us to touch anything. All his tools, goods etc were stored in steel trunks which were all numbered. He had to retire to his computer to seek out the steel trunk numbers wherein the extras were stored. He came back with numbers and we opened those specific trunks to find the chuck, the tool rests and some odd lathe tools. The designated numbers for the lathe copier and the lathe steady did not match and unfortunately random searches in other steel trunks was strictly verboten. A referral to the computer came up with another steel trunk number but this was also incorrect. We were now running out of time so it was agreed that the two items would be traced in the good doctor's own time, and I would make arrangements with my nephew to store them for me. A cheque was handed over and much to the doctors consternation as to the speed with which my nephew and I had dismantled the lathe and cabinet and loaded it into the back of the pickup, left him dumbstruck. However for the rest of the trip home the lathe was lugged around the countryside but eventually reached its new home where it will be refurbished and its future decided on. Refurbished and now mounted on a home made stand. The stand this lathe came on was swopped to carry my own lathe a model 46-200 whilst the stand the 46-200 was used for this lathe.

In late January 2010 this lathe was advertised for sale on a local Buy/Sell website. I got a response from Wayne Castleman who lives in Barberton Mpumalanga Province(South Africa). The deal was struck and the lathe had to be crated and shipped to Wayne. He did not want the stand as shown in the picture so that remained. The lathe which apparently was bought new by the original owner, the doctor in Rustenberg, was shipped down to Sedgefield Cape Province when he retired there, bought by myself and trucked back to kwaZuluNatal Province and now may have reached its final destination. Hopefully it will be looked after as it was in the past.

Photo 1:

Comments: Lathe refurbished and on a home made stand.
Source: GB's Roving Sony
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Lathe as purchased from the good doctor. Stand is Model 50-150.
Source: GB's Roving Sony
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: Label details.
Source: GB's Roving Sony
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 4:

Comments: Headstock Pulley and shaft detail.
Source: GB's Roving Sony
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 5:

Comments: Headstock detail showing indexing pin.
Source: GB's Roving Sony
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 6:

Comments: The lathe crated and en route to be shipped to Barbeton
Source: GB's Roving Sony
Direct Link
IMG Code