Small Macson lathe?

**neksmerj** · 26th June 2011, 11:34 PM

Anyone know about a small 9" Macson lathe? A relative of mine just acquired one, and I've seen it.

It's about the same physical size as a 9" Hercus, but differs in that it has a flat bed, ie, no vee ways.

I had a squize in my 1966 McPherson catalogue, no luck, it appears they started at 18" and upwards. Also had a geek at Tony's web site, not one Macson lathe mentioned.

Although badged Macson, I suspect it was made in America in the 1930's. That's just a guess.

Do you have any info on this lathe?

Ken

**Anorak Bob** · 27th June 2011, 11:41 AM

KJ,

My oldest McPhersons catalogue is from 1949. The smallest Macson listed had a 14 inch swing. A lot bigger than our little Hercus 9s. If you look at it again, any chance of some photos?

Bob.

**Bryan** · 27th June 2011, 01:22 PM

Wouldn't be surprised if it's a rebadged Hercus or similar.

BTW, I'm unfamiliar with these terms sliding and surfacing. They appear in old literature and Tony G uses them too. Do they mean long and cross feeds respectively?

**.RC.** · 27th June 2011, 01:28 PM

US made lathes would have V beds and also the handwheel on the right side..

McPherson's had been making lathes under the Macson name for many many years... Probably since WW1..

**Anorak Bob** · 27th June 2011, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bryan

Wouldn't be surprised if it's a rebadged Hercus or similar.

BTW, I'm unfamiliar with these terms sliding and surfacing. They appear in old literature and Tony G uses them too. Do they mean long and cross feeds respectively?

Sure do.

**pipeclay** · 27th June 2011, 03:08 PM

You will even find the terms Sliding and Surfacing on plates attached to carrages as well as feed selector boxes.

**Anorak Bob** · 8th July 2011, 05:12 PM

Hey Ken,

I was wading though some old photos this morning and found this one I had taken back in 2005. I have no idea to whom the catalogue belonged and I'm uncertain of the year of publication. For some reason 1934 comes to mind. Who knows?

Bob.

**neksmerj** · 8th July 2011, 08:10 PM

Hi AB,

I'm not sure if the Macson lathe I saw, is illustrated in your old catalogues. Will be visiting my relative this weekend, and will take my camera if I can remember.

Ken

**zuffen** · 11th July 2011, 10:56 PM

I have a 9" Macson.

I posted some questions on it around 3 years ago.

Appears it's a 1937 (IIRC) and has MACSON cast into the frame.

Mine has a bit of play in the headstock but otherwise it runs well and does what I need it to.

I paid just under $500.00 for it.

Here's the link to the thread. https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/mc...t=macson+lathe

**neksmerj** · 18th July 2011, 04:43 PM

Finally got around to photographing my relatives old Macson lathe. It's a bit rough with some crude alterations including the belt guard. The compound slide is shown taken off the saddle, for inspection.

Do these photos look familiar?

Ken

**zuffen** · 18th July 2011, 05:07 PM

Basically the same machine as mine.

Looks like it's been through the wars a bit!

My cross slide had wear in the nut but I closed up the thread on the nut and it seems fine.

The half nuts are knackered and as I can't ever see myself cutting threads I don't care.

My belts are totally unprotrccted but as I'm the only person silly enough to use it (or enter my garage) I'm happy with it.

The headstock bearings could do with some TLC which I'll get around to one day.

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