Thread: How would you like a Machine operators job with these cool tools

Great stuff!!. It's great to see how they done it in the olden days.
Thanks for posting

Really hard work in those days. Would love the metal seats tho. They make great bar stool tops.

Ooer! Sitting down while you treadle? Luxury!

I'd love the r/table and the curious/ "nah mate, that's not real" remarks it would bring.

Yeh I agree and think of the fun you would have adapting them to take electric motors

would be a mission turning a big bowl on the lathe

They would probably fail a lot of OH & S standards, but the operator in many cases gets to sit down so is unlikely to leave the machine running. First time I have seen a seat provided for a lathe.
Production was probably slower, but no dependence on the electricity supply.

Originally Posted by Handyjack

They would probably fail a lot of OH & S standards, but the operator in many cases gets to sit down so is unlikely to leave the machine running. First time I have seen a seat provided for a lathe.
Production was probably slower, but no dependence on the electricity supply.

You might be able to get carbon credits by not using electricity instead of paying carbon emissions tax

Save on gym membership too!

Hard work indeed - that's what the apprentices were for though!

Hi All,
I'm a Member of The Hand Tool Preservation Assoc. of Australia, & I get to use a few of those Machines each Year at the Melb. WwWood Show.
One of the Members owns them, & I as well as other Members, get to show the People & Children how they work.
They cut out Animal for the Children on the Vecelopede ? but I like to work the Barnes Lathe 1876. Have to Pedal it backwards as the belt would have to be crossed, & would wear out. It even has a Camlock on the Banjo.
Great Fun.

Thanks for the quick look at history. I suppose a lot of what we now consider to be very valuable furniture could have started out on those machines.

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Thanks for the quick look at history. I suppose a lot of what we now consider to be very valuable furniture could have started out on those machines.

Yes and I bet they would still do as well as our modern machinery when it comes to craftsmanship. Would just take longer and be much more tiresome at the end of the day.