High-quality black-and-white photographs of large old machines and tools

[Jon]

Lathe in the McKees Rocks Machine and Erecting Shop of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company. McKees Rocks, PA. July, 1904.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...7_fullsize.jpg

[TrickieDickie]

Never seen a lathe with the head stock to the right, maybe the image is reversed.

[BuffaloJohn]

Never seen a lathe with the head stock to the right, maybe the image is reversed.

Yes, it is mirrored, there is writing on headstock below the big gears and it is mirrored...

[Isambard]

It is a Putnam Machine Co. lathe. The name placement and the style of tail-stock are giveaways.

[jackhoying]

It is a Putnam Machine Co. lathe. The name placement and the style of tail-stock are giveaways.

Here are some photos of an old Putman lathe that a local machine shop was scraping. It was originally line shaft powered, but got a Delco motor conversion later in life.
They allowed me to salvage the legs and most of the cranks and such, which were incorporated into my kitchen table.

[mr mikey]

I like it, thanks.

[Ed Weldon]

Nice looking table. Sorry, guys, but I just cringe when I see something like that. It's like killing a dog and cutting off its leg bones to make a fancy set of bookends.
But that's just me. Yeah, yeah.... I know. Modern machine tools are so much "better" than that ancient stuff. Until one of the plastic gears breaks or a compter chip dies.
I have an old set of table legs from some long forgotten machine tool. They are destined to be the structural support legs for my current bench top machine tool project. Oldies, but goodies, these two machines are. So the spirits in those legs will have a happy home in their last years. Sorta like Grandpa's favorite chair.
EdW

[carl blum]

Hi Gang:
The other tip off is the chuck wrench, the handles get twisted when tightening. The photo suggests a counterclockwise twist.
Carl.

[Jon]

Mesta Machine Company machine shop. West Homestead, PA. 1905/1925.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...4_fullsize.jpg

[Toolmaker51]

"Looks like" vs "Is"
i see cannibalized machine parts as near sacrilege, especially when form (what was previously function) is the only remaining attribute. Now, on other hand, fabricating is completely honorable. Exhibit 'A', will be eons before this becomes a mancave trinket Antique bandsaw build

I have a few sets of machine legs and supports, some cast, some pressed steel. Bought as orphans, so that detachment becomes a 'rescue', all of them can support equipment, get deserved oohs and ahh's. One set is for a 48" circle shear, another for a dinky punch press etc.

Now, my comments are merely that, opinion. I do not mean to disparage the obvious care spent on that table build. It looks better than just 'good'.