So small machines did do real work. WW2 mobile machine shop

[lordbeezer]

That’s the underdrive set up behind the tailstock

 

[Jimsehr]

I ran across a comment that the small 6-8" shapers were liked during WW2 for their ability to make small repair parts in remote locations. As the little shapers are often kind of politely dismissed as useless I did a little digging and remembered I have a book The American Arsenal that is comprised of reprints of WW2 era technical documentation of US equipment which includes a variety of WW2 era repair vehicles.


The working end of a WW2 era M16A2 Machine Shop truck.

These trucks were were set up as general machine shops and provided with a 10" lathe with milling attachment, 7" shaper, bench grinder, 10 ton hydraulic press and a 1/2" radial drill press, as well as a large selection of hand tools in both US and metric sizes. Included a 10kw generator to power the equipment.

Looks like an Atlas 7" shaper and maybe a 10" South Bend with an under drive motor and cabinet?

View attachment 514614


Not shown, but the M16A1 was a more specialized "heavy lathe" truck with a 14" or 16" gap bed lathe with milling attachment and a 1-1/4" drill press, along with appropriate hand tools to support it.

I had the same truck with the shaper in the other corner. It had a trailer with a generator that I towed when we were in the field. Best thing was when we were in the field I had room to haul my extra stuff. And the officers would ask if I had room for their stuff. The truck was all metal and light proof so I could work inside with a light on and the light would automatically go off if you opened the door.

Pic of me in shop truck.

Jim sehr
Also heard the comment you can make anything with a shaper except money.

 

[tobnpr]

I’ll bet that’s a Sheldon.

And you'd be right

I have that exact machine. 11", Sheldon machine truck lathe. The giveaway is the angled legs the allow it to overhang the wheel well on the truck.
Tailstock is a ball joint, that can be loosened to allow for float when the truck was moving. Mine is circa 1950, at some point was with the USAF as it's engraved on the front of the saddle.

It's perfect size for gunsmithing (my use), short headstock and just enough mass at 1200 lbs.

 

[C-Bag]

I had the same truck with the shaper in the other corner. It had a trailer with a generator that I towed when we were in the field. Best thing was when we were in the field I had room to haul my extra stuff. And the officers would ask if I had room for their stuff. The truck was all metal and light proof so I could work inside with a light on and the light would automatically go off if you opened the door.

Jim sehr
Also heard the comment you can make anything with a shaper except money.

Was there any kind of common job? What would you say was the bulk of your work?

 

[Jimsehr]

Was there any kind of common job? What would you say was the bulk of your work?

Main job was fixing or making parts the truck mechanics. My sister machine shop truck had a much bigger lathe and a big drill press. Old school you could not order a part form Amazon and get it next day. Some time it would take weeks. Sometimes it was as simple as making a special washer or bolt.