Flather Lathe

[alext]

I have the opportunity to purchase a Flather Lathe, anyone have any info on it, is it worth buying???

[aametalmaster]

They are all worth buying in my mind. Depends what you want to do with it...Bob

[Beez]

I just bought a 1890 muller metal lathe, babbit bearing, as sweet as can be. 17in. x 80in o/c . Don't be afraid to buy old , you can always fix it for a fraction of the cost.

[Joe K]

Flather is a good name. The Practical Machinist Forum (yup, a competitor) has a lot of discussion of Flather. I posted there under the pseudonym of "Yankee Mechanic" and give a snapshot history of Joseph Flather and his comings and goings. See http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...e-t115740.html

For the PM antique machine board see http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...splay.php?f=19

American Lathe Builders 1810-1910 by Ken Cope has a couple of pages on Flather. Basically in the business from 1874 until perhaps the 1930s. My 1907ish Flather No. 715 (with quick change gearbox - now sold.) is shown towards the end of the section.

Boston Craigslist currently has an 18" swing by 12 foot bed Flather that could be bought for cheap money. A big lathe, I would put a raising block under the head and tailstock and use it for turning wooden and metal lineshaft pulley exteriors. Mebbe I'll flip my page back there next and give it another look see.

Old Arn (iron) It's an addiction. Hi, my name is Joe and I'm hooked.

Best,
Joe K (AKA Yankee Mechanic)