Line shaft help?

[jake650]

Morning all,
This site was referred to me as possibly being able help on some items I have come across. I was given two line shafts for helping an elderly couple empty the ole boy’s work shop. Now, I’m not new to machine work, but everything I have run used a switch. The link to Photobucket has a few pictures of the items; http://s738.photobucket.com/albums/xx27/jake650/ . The green line shaft was used with a Rockford Drilling Company lathe and the silver one was just by itself. The wood sheave is 16 inches in diameter. As can be seen there are a number of leather belts of varying lengths, widths and conditions. I have scoured the internet trying to find out what these might be worth, but no luck there. I know asking for “estimates” of value is pretty vague for things like these, but I truly have no idea at all what I have. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Jake [/size]

[Carl in NH]

Generally speaking, they are not worth much in terms of dollars. They do have value to people that use and restore antique machinery - because there's always the need to make another jackshaft in the shop to power a once-lineshaft-driven machine.

You might do well to barter them away to someone that has just such a hobby machine shop with lineshaft powered equipment, in exchange for needed machine work.

-Carl

[Combustor]

Hello Jake650,
The green lineshaft with the step pulleys is part of the
Rockford lathe drive setup and should be kept with it,as the pulleys are
a specific match for those on the headstock/backgear drive, and not
easily replaced by anything else. The lathe owner may be glad to hear
from you, Regards, Combustor.

[Sam Shublom]

The bearing hangers usually go pretty good on eBay. I think I have seen them go as high as $100 to $120 for a matched pair. I agree with Combustor, the lathe countershaft and cone pulley should stay with the lathe. The split wood pulley brings about the same money selling it as a pulley or decorator item. Sam

[jake650]

Guys, Thanks for the input. The wooden sheave I will probably clean up and set in the house somewhere. (Wife agreeing that is). As for the Rockford lathe, unfortunately it and its future are out of my hands. The guy that bought it was told that the line shaft went with it, but he did not want it. That is how I ended up with it. Barter sounds like the best way to go. Again thanks. By the way, great site. If nothing more comes of this I have found a new place to hang out at.
Jake

[Jeff Greenblatt]

Jake,

A lot of old machine addicts hang out on the antique machinery forum at www.practicalmachinery.com. You might try posting there.

[John Schwiebert]

You sure that link is good? I can not get it to work Thanks in advance.

[PFT]

John, try www.practicalmachinist.com

PT

[rvannatta]

Line shafts were the norm for machine shops until the end of WW I.

the rotating shaft in the ceiling could be turned by a steamboiler out behind. After WWI, steam boilers quickly became less popular
and electric motors became generally available and did electric power
and the industry rapidly converted. to electric power.

the 'cone head' lathes always came with a matching cone with the
pully sizes just reversed. This allowed you to switch the belt among the cone sizes without changing the belt length, so the counter shaft that you have would be hung in the ceiling above the lathe and powered by a belt from the master line shaft, with a drop belt onthe cone dropping to the lathe.

the line shaft was a great impediment to those who wanted to reaarrange the furniture because the location of machine tools was driven by the need of access from the line shaft.