1940s Metal Lathe [Restoration]

My Dad had one very similar to this one, and as I recall I inherited it, and used it to turn small commutators on small motor armatures for years in my generator, starter and alternator rebuilding shop. It was an upgraded model, as it had more gears and a multi tool holder. I rebuilt it, and remember every screw and nut in this video. I was born in 1944, and can remember that being in my Dad's shop as long as I can remember. The video brings back fond memories from years long gone. Thanks...👍😁

Great job! As a former salesman in Sears Division 9 (hardware) it does my heart good to see these older machines given a new life.

I have the exact lathe that belonged to my Dad who has long since died. He bought it new, and after some time one of gear(s) in the power feed crumbled so he always told me it was junk. After watching this video I took a look at it and it will work it just won't cut threads or power feed until I can get some made. Now I have the desire to break it down and restore it. Thank you for the inspiration to clean up something that means so much to me and I don't mean money wise.

It's worth a like just for the intro.

I just inherited this exact lathe and a working Unimat, been collecting dust for years! This video is exactly what I needed to see. It is time to get them both back to their glory days!! Thank you

When I saw you add the Threading Chart toward the end, I had to go back to the beginning to see if it was there. It wasn't. It's nice to see you take such care. Really nice restoration.

I would love to find an old lathe like that. I don't know what would be more fun, restoring it or using it. I've watched all you put out. You do an amazing job making everything work and look new again. Hats off it takes real talent!!

Much respect to your craftsmanship skills, your photographic memory, and your humor. A pleasure to watch you work seemingly having fun too!

best kind of restoration i've ever seen, that lathe can now go on to make all sorts of things! a new lease of life for the most versatile tool.

I bought this lathe two weeks back and it was to be a future project. After watching your video I started tearing mine apart. This video is so helpful. I’m almost finished with painting and any repairs. Hopefully back together this week. I was lucky mine was I’m pretty good shape just old grease. Thank you.

It's a credit to your skill that the repair was so successful on such a machine that requires as much precision in the parts as a lathe. This is a perfect hobby lathe now, small but still plenty big for most turning projects.

Quality restoration mate I love the older lathes such craftsmanship and the engineering that went into making them is amazing

About ten years ago I restored a 1950’s Atlas Craftsman 12” lathe with the quick change gearbox for threading. I had a lot of gears to replace because someone didn’t know how to operate the machine,and all the gears are made from pot metal. Took about a month to get all the parts and redo it, because I had never stripped and rebuilt a lathe before. While it’s not a high precision machine, it’s a great mini lathe for the home hobbyist. I laughed out loud a few times as you forgot to put in a part, because as the old adage goes..."been there, done that!" It also is a pretty good wood lathe in a pinch, and I’ve made a few handles for tools over the years with it. I also bought an AXA wedge style quick change tool post with tool holders. It sure speeds up changing tools without having to align the tools every time. I enjoy your channel, and loved the tune you played with the sheet steel. Keep having fun, and I hope you make a few buck in the process. I can’t bear to sell stuff I rebuild, so my kids will have to do that when I croak. Won’t they have fun? 😂😂😂😂

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The old machines were made to last. Thank you for restoring this one.

the whole 'damn I forgot to fit the belts' is so relatable, it reminded me of the amount of times I wired a 3 phase C-form plug then realised the back cover was on the bench next to me lol

Your "Opening credits" are amazing and hilarious. I love the humor you put in your videos. Please don't ever stop ❤😁

It is refreshing to see one so young display the talent that you do. Thanks for sharing with us.

Being a shop owner, it is so awesome to see someone with the ability and desire to get a gem like this back to functioning in this day and age! Now have a beer or soda or whatever you choose to reward yourself for a job well done!! Cheers!

This is such a cool, little lathe. it'd be perfect for someone like me who wants to learn but doesn't have space or money to purchase one of the bigger ones. Thanks for sharing your work!