Wood lathe questions

Zachary Hoyt · Feb 28, 2013

I just got this lathe today, a fellow offered to give it to me and I gave him a twig rocking chair and side table. I have been hoping to get a decent lathe for some time and this one seems nice and solid, unlike my old Shopsmith knock-off that vibrated severely. I am wondering how to determine what size the headstock taper is, I have a dial caliper but am not sure where to measure or how to go from the measurement to the correct taper. The live center(if that is the correct term) is homemade and there is also another live center that is too small to fit. My other question is about lubrication, the threaded spots on top of the bearings look like they might take a grease fitting, but I am not sure if that is correct or if they are supposed to be oiled. Any advice will be much appreciated.
Zach

Zachary Hoyt · Feb 28, 2013

Forgot the pictures.
Zach

Stephen Newell · Mar 1, 2013

It looks like a J.A.Fay & Egan lathe to me. The taper for the spur center is petty much universal and the spur center from your shopsmith should fit it. I don"t think the headstock is quite homemade. It was originally made with a large step pulley made for flat belts. It just looks like someone removed the flat belt pulley.

olddog · Mar 1, 2013

Looks like it started life as a metal cone lathe.
Mebbe 1920 - 1940. Does it have variable speed for the motor?
Otherwise two speed.
Plain bronze bushings need oil. Usually have felt wick drip oilers.
Most optimum woodworking speeds are at the top end of the old metal lathe rpms
so oil it with something, both bushings.
Yes, gunna make a mess underneath.
poke here for Morse Taper

Loosehandle · Mar 1, 2013

There should be oil cups in those holes,probobly the type where you turn them 90 degrees against a spring to oil.

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 1, 2013

Thank you very much. The spur center on the other lathe is threaded onto a smaller shaft and does not have a taper, so it does not transfer onto this one. A real shopsmith may have a taper, I have never had one, but this machine is a very cheap substitute. In the photo of the two tapers one has a factory made center and the other was welded up at home by the look of it.
Zach

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 1, 2013

Thank you, that makes sense. I will oil the bushings for now by dripping a drop into them every few minutes. A mess is okay with me. The link to the taper sizes is very helpful, I will go and measure.
Zach

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 1, 2013

Thank you, do you know how I would go about looking for those? I am not sure of the proper name but I do think I have seen them.
Zach

evilboweivel · Mar 1, 2013

looky here
oil cups

Stephen Newell · Mar 1, 2013

It's not necessary to oil every couple of minutes with bronze bearings. Just oil it before you start working every time and that's enough.

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 1, 2013

Thank you, that's good to know. Any recommendation on weight/type of oil? I was thinking of 20 or 30W motor oil but do not know what is proper.
Zach

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 1, 2013

Thanks, they have a lot. I will look into it.
Zach

Stephen Newell · Mar 2, 2013

Originally it was probably intended for straight 30w but any oil should be fine. Sometimes it's difficult to find straight 30w. I believe I may have been wrong on the brand of lathe. There is a place you might go called vintagemachinery.org that you might get more info. I went there yesterday but there was too many lathes there for my slow internet.

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 2, 2013

Thank you very much.
Zach

Wood lathe questions

Zachary Hoyt

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Zachary Hoyt

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Stephen Newell

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olddog

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Loosehandle

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Zachary Hoyt

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Zachary Hoyt

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Zachary Hoyt

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evilboweivel

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Stephen Newell

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Zachary Hoyt

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Zachary Hoyt

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Stephen Newell

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Zachary Hoyt

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