Just setting up our new (circa 1918) LeBlond 16" lathe - we seem to be missing some parts of the taper attatchment. Anybody out there have an old LeBlond (or worked on one) who can help me figure out what's missing and how to replace it?

dave

Don't know if this will help, but a site for LeBlond lathes:

http://www.leblondusa.com/html/maintenance.html

And another:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/leblond/

Neat site on the Leblond lathes. I just bought a 20" swing Reed Prentice, whish I could find a site dedicaded to them. You could anchor a battleship with these old lathes. I think some of these old machine tools are as facinating as the steam engines they built and repaired. Cheers, John.

Neat site on the Leblond lathes. I just bought a 20" swing Reed Prentice, whish I could find a site dedicaded to them. You could anchor a battleship with these old lathes. I think some of these old machine tools are as facinating as the steam engines they built and repaired. Cheers, John.

John, I invite you to come to Birmingham and visit the warehouse full of fascinating tools and parts this came out of. Our selection of lathes was limited by two things: price, (under 2K), and proximity to the aisle in the warehouse. This one was only one stack back from the aisle and $1500. After steam cleaning off the top several layers of dirt encrusted grease, she turned out to be in very good condition, with the factory conversion from belt to electric motor rather than a shop floor retrofit. No slop in the headstock bearings. Nice quick change gearbox.

I would like to pick up some tooling and a 3 jaw - anybody know of a used stuff dealer with an organized stock? I could spend days searching for small stuff and never find it here.

dave

.

Dave I will keep my eyes open. The problem I have is that I don't know how to tell what chucks fit what lathes. I am not a machinist by trade either, so that helps my lack of knowledge. Mine came with a 16" 3 jaw, and maybe a 12" 4 jaw. I would like a larger 4 jaw for mine too. I would think that the older lathes might be interchangeable, but am not sure. You need a jib crane to change out that 3 jaw on mine. I paid $1000 for it, the ways look remarkable good, with about 30 thousanths slop in the compound. Has a taper attachment too. I just had to buy a trailer to go get this with, and now have to pour concrete to put it on. This little project is getting expensive.

Next time I go to Anniston I will see if your around and take you up on the warehouse tour. My job takes me to Chicago area and I have toured many dealers warehouses. Most of there stuff is new and expensive, cool just the same. I found an identicle Reed Prentice in nice shape with a taper and large 3 jaw {no steady rest}, but they wanted $2700. I think they will sit on that one for a while. Not that many people want the old "Flinstone" lathes for production type shops. Great railroad shop lathes though. Cheers, John.

Up here in CT is Industrial Surplus, Inc located in Berlin. I have bought a few things from them for where I work. They have tons and tons of stuff and they have been around for years and years. Call 860-828-3541 and ask for Paul Gaffney.

www.industrialsurplus.com

Thanks. One question was answered when I found a broken off shaft for a worm gear adjustment screw for the pivoting part of the taper attatchment. No wonder it didn't go anywhere. Now I need to knock together a clamp for the main slide to join it to the ways to engage the taper.

dave