Technical Picked up a lathe...

patsurf · Sep 3, 2025

Stueeee said: ↑

Having a lathe is great, but if you're not careful, it might not stop with just one lathe... My Smart & Brown Model 'A' toolroom lathe bought by me at a government surplus auction nearly 50 years ago.

A well equipped and accurate machine, but being only 9" swing, sometimes I just ran out of capacity for larger work. So, better buy a bigger lathe, I bought this Dean, Smith & Grace Type 17 about 5 years ago, 17" swing over the bed 26 ish inches swing in the gap, fitted with a taper turning attachment and has a 10 HP motor so not an underpowered machine.

But then, what about really fine work? making carburettor needles and the like? better get a Smart & Brown Model L instrument lathe then; takes industry standard 5C collets, and has a maximum spindle speed of 3000 RPM, ideal for very small diameter stuff. This is a 1977 machine, it not only looked almost new when I bought it, but it had all the manufacturers accuracy test paperwork with it. Everything I checked was still in 'factory' tolerance. I did have to do some re-wiring work on it, which was 'interesting' as the two speed three phase motor has a small forest of wires coming out of it.

Click to expand...

everyone is envious of the d s &g!!--a rolls royce!

DDDenny · Sep 3, 2025

Stueeee said: ↑

I bought this Dean, Smith & Grace Type 17 about 5 years ago
Click to expand...

That's a beauty!

57tailgater · Sep 5, 2025

Consider checking out the Garage Journal (link on the bottom of this forum page). This would fit in there too.

patsurf · Sep 6, 2025

57tailgater said: ↑

Consider checking out the Garage Journal (link on the bottom of this forum page). This would fit in there too.
Click to expand...

tough to beat practical machinist

dearjose · Sep 11, 2025

A big thank u to all. That's why this is the best forum around. @DDDenny thx for having a sense of humor

k1w1rodder · Sep 15, 2025

Just picked this one up free, I've already got it mounted and running. Its an English Smart and Brown, copy of the South bend 9".

Log in or Sign up

Technical Picked up a lathe...

patsurf

DDDenny
Member

from oregon

57tailgater
Member

from Georgia

patsurf

dearjose
Member

from eastside mn

k1w1rodder
Member

from noo zeeland

Share This Page

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

Log in or Sign up

Technical Picked up a lathe...

patsurf

DDDenny Member from oregon

57tailgater Member from Georgia

patsurf

dearjose Member from eastside mn

k1w1rodder Member from noo zeeland

Share This Page

Useful Searches

Archive

Atomic Industry

Support

Subscribe

DDDenny
Member

from oregon

57tailgater
Member

from Georgia

dearjose
Member

from eastside mn

k1w1rodder
Member

from noo zeeland