Photo Index - C. O. Porter Machinery Co. - Porter 16 wood lathe

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
C. O. Porter Machinery Co.
Grand Rapids, MI

True Manufacturer:
C. O. Porter Machinery Co., Grand Rapids, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Wood
Machine Size:	16"
Submitted By:	Eric Berger

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Porter 16 wood lathe
Date of Manufacturer:	Unknown
Serial Number:	Unknown
Last Updated	7/30/2008 3:15:47 PM

Comments:

This lathe was in Wisconsin Pattern Works in Oshkosh, Wisconsin way before I was born. The shop was originally purchased, owned and operated by my grandfather Alois Berger who came to the US from Germany. He and his brother Rudy, who also worked with him were pattern makers in the shop. Following my grandfathers death in 1954, the business was owned and operated by my father Leonard and his brother Ralph Berger. I have no information on where or when the lathe was acquired, but I was told it was in the original shop. As a child I remember it being in constant use, especially with large wood patterns hanging off a face plate on the outboard side. I still have the original face plates, some of which can be seen in the photo standing against the wall behind the machine all the original tool rests and counter shaft. When Wisconsin Pattern Works closed its doors in the late 70's, I hauled it to my parents garage for safe keeping. It is now in its current home in Indianapolis, Indiana. I still use the lathe on a regular basis, and it works great, but it does tend to shake the roof a bit. The only thing I have done over the years is replace some of the leather belts for synthetic one as I have moved it from time to time and the ceiling heights varied with the hight of the mounted counter shaft. It was pointed out to me that this lathe is listed in C.O. Porter's 1918 catalog which can be seen on the OWWM site. The only identification on the machine is "16 The Porter" on the tail stock. I have looked it over for other identifying marks, e.g., serial number but have not been able to find one. Unfortunately I think the plate that may have contained the SN is missing (note the two small holes in the tail stock just below the Porter name). There is a lathe exactly like it in the furniture makers permanent exhibit in the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, MI. There are also a few references to similar machines on the OWWM site.

Photo 1:

Comments: Porter wood lathe
Source: Myself

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Photo 2:

Comments: Porter lathe head stock
Source: Myself

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Photo 3:

Comments: Porter lathe
Source: Myself

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