What is this thing for?

[brino]

Welcome to the group @Charlie51566!

-brino

 

[Charlie51566]

Wow thanks everyone for the info and all the nice welcome messages! Someone asked more details about my lathe so here’s some pictures. Based on the serial, its a late 1946 or early 1947. The serial is 185k something and as I understand, at around 186k they started adding a three letter code. It does have a 4 1/2 foot bed so that made me happy. It was very greasy and dirty (which is better than dry and rusty I suppose). Only thing I wish it had the 1/2 HP motor with the two speed pulley, but hey I can’t complain the original 1/4 HP GE still runs! Some progress being made and having a ton of fun with this project. This old stuff shines up nicely. Damn shame we don’t make awesome things like this in American anymore.

Oh I just thought of another question - I plan to build a new bench for the lathe and I’m curious what height works best. Is it a bad idea to have it lower, like where you can sit on a stool and run it or is it better to keep it standing height? I’m just thinking for safety sake, not sure if leaning over it while sitting is the best idea, but its more comfortable!

Thanks again everyone

 

[Charlie51566]

Welcome aboard!
You and I can learn together.
At least you got some goodies with your 9A, A whole lot more than I did!!
What model 9A is it?
I am also doing a restoration on one, an under motor drive unit.
How about a snapshot or two of yours?

Thanks! I posted some photos in the thread. It’s a 9A with single speed pulley and 4 1/2 bed

 

[Bi11Hudson]

Welcome aboard, Sir. And if you can't get aboard, use a couple of planks. I use my faceplate to drive dogs the few times I use them. I don't do close work often and usually use one of many chucks that I have along with a tailstock center. But "dog" is the proper description. And by the way,

Real dogs go Ark, Ark.

My dogs go "Arf, Arf" or "Woof, Woof", depending on whether the visitor is known to them. Or whether they have received a cookie (dog bisquit) from them. The "dogs" shown at http://www.hudsontelcom.com/BilzPage2.html about lathe gears are no longer with us. The black one didn't say anything, just locked her teeth.

.

 

[Nogoingback]

Oh I just thought of another question - I plan to build a new bench for the lathe and I’m curious what height works best. Is it a bad idea to have it lower, like where you can sit on a stool and run it or is it better to keep it standing height? I’m just thinking for safety sake, not sure if leaning over it while sitting is the best idea, but its more comfortable!

Thanks again everyone

I can't imagine that sitting would work out well: you need to move around while working at the lathe. I raised mine up
by putting a steel stand under it. This makes it easier on my back, though I could have raised it up even
more. I would go high rather than low.