What makes a 'tool room' lathe?

[FortyFivePalms]

Here is the actual listing on CL:

Clausing 12" x 24" lathe and accesories - general for sale - by owner - craigslist

Clausing Model 7900, 12" x 24" Tool Room Lathe. 2HP, 3Phase motor (phase converter available for $200). Extras: - Dovetail tool post and (1) tool holder - 3-jaw x 8" dia chuck - 6-jaw x 6" dia chuck...

sandiego.craigslist.org

The ad says its a 7900 series, but the tag clearly indicates 'model number 5904'

 

[Flyinfool]

In my experience a "Tool Room" machine simply means that at some point in its life it was located in a tool room. The tool rooms where I have worked had the same stuff that was out on the production floor. The only thing a "Tool Room" might have in its favor is that tool makers are sometimes much more skilled machinists than production workers and the tool room does not churn out parts day in and day out, so there is a chance that it may have less hours on it that one from the production floor and it might have been used by someone that had a clue what they were doing. But there are no guaranties. If you are buying this from the company that has it in the tool room you have better odds than if you are buying it private from someone that simply says it was in a tool room at some point in its life.

 

[epanzella]

This thread reminds me of my old "COLOR" TV antenna. You had to pay extra but the guy behind the counter said it was worth it.

 

[Aaron_W]

Here is the actual listing on CL:

Clausing 12" x 24" lathe and accesories - general for sale - by owner - craigslist

Clausing Model 7900, 12" x 24" Tool Room Lathe. 2HP, 3Phase motor (phase converter available for $200). Extras: - Dovetail tool post and (1) tool holder - 3-jaw x 8" dia chuck - 6-jaw x 6" dia chuck...

sandiego.craigslist.org

The ad says its a 7900 series, but the tag clearly indicates 'model number 5904'

Skimming through old Clausing catalogs I'm not seeing that they differentiated any of their lathe models as a tool room lathe. The only reference to tool room is general marketing speak saying their lathes are suitable for a variety of tasks including production, tool room, repair, mechanical services etc.

From a 1975 catalog a 5904 is a 12x24" variable speed lathe with a clutch and brake, and 2hp 3 phase motor.

 

[ddickey]

A toolroom lathe has a bed width equal to or greater than the swing. It's a pre req. A 10ee would be a perfect example. This is only what I've heard so don't know if it is an actual "rule" written somewhere. Accuracy specs are always a little better on toolroom lathes.

 

[Jake M]

This thread reminds me of my old "COLOR" TV antenna. You had to pay extra but the guy behind the counter said it was worth it.

That, or again when broadcast TV switched to digital signals, and everybody and their brother was selling digital antennas.

 

[CJ5Dave]

Tactical. Vintage. Professional. Then there is the JC Whitney “New and Hot”.

 

[Aaron_W]

As this and the other thread on "gunsmith" lathes, it highlights something I find kind of odd. In an activity that is focused on precision, the language used for some aspects can often be vague.

Mini-lathe, engine lathe, bench lathe, screw cutting lathe, speed lathe, second operation lathe, tool room lathe, I've seen all of these debated as to what the name means. If found definitions in different places with conflicting conclusions.

Take bench lathe for example. Many people would consider a bench lathe to be a lathe that is bigger than a mini-lathe but still small enough to mount on a benchtop. This happens to fit my personal use of the term, so something like a South bend 9, Atlas 10F or many of the current 10" lathes from Grizzly, PM etc.

But if you look at old catalogs many of them call small basic lathes without a lead screw for threading a bench lathe.

Give it a lead screw and it becomes a screw cutting lathe. This configuration is essentially the same as the use of bench lathe in the first example.

Confused yet?

 

[CJ5Dave]

While we are at it, what’s an engine lathe?

 

[coolidge]

I have to admit, I get drooling for a behemoth toolroom type lathe.