Mascon Ministry of Munitions - lookng for home

**Rocky5** · 25th October 2009, 09:05 PM

Hi it's Randal here. I have this lathe which I got for free as long as it had a good home. If it could talk it would tell some good stories. Its plated with :MASCON - Ministry of Munitions. The research I did on it shows it made gun shells in WWII and then made valve bodies. What a good old girl !! For me Im or-ed with her and her history...

I played a little and realized she was to big a project for me. All runs just needs some luv and someone who understands lathes. Im one of those dummy office engineers. I dont have 3 ph since she really needs it for the 3hp motor. Three speed mechanical box and powered down travel... built like a battle ship !!

For free - Im looking for a good home where she can live out her days... Refer pics. Not for parts or resale. For someone who will luv her and give her a run every now and then.

Its in my shed safe and dry on the Gold Coast. Guessing she weights about 2 ton and is about 2m long - small for a Mascon Im told. I can help load but that's about it.

If she really is a museum item let me know...

Randal (GCCC)

**.RC.** · 25th October 2009, 10:00 PM

OOOoooo that is tempting, would go well with my WW2 era Macson TC grinder....

I notice it has no threading ability, I assume it must be a special build for the war effort...

**Rocky5** · 26th October 2009, 06:49 AM

R.C best I can find is that it was made for the war. There is little info around on Mascons. I have no idea on how to find info on old Defence Dept info. Plenty of plates but no dates, just serial no. etc

Im not good with lathes but it has powered down and up travel with speeds - you can easily engage and disengage with the lever on the carriage which has the tool post. There are three box speeds 200 to 500 rpm which change down travel as well.. I slowed her for threads but Im not much good. The big wheel has measurements and could be part of the thread making ... not really sure

Im back at work this week so I might be a bit slow in replies...

Randal

**.RC.** · 26th October 2009, 04:32 PM

I have a bit of info on Macson's..

If was the name which the McPherson's company sold their equipment under...They had I believe at one time the largest engineering shop on Australia in Kensington, Melbourne..

They made all manner of thing from Grinders, Lathes, radial drills (under licence from Town (UK)). I don't believe they made milling machines though...They also were agents for other manufacturers like Hercus, and UK based manufacturers like Ward, Parkson, Elliott, Victoria, Butler, etc etc..

They made lathes from about 16" swing to 50" swing...They appeared to get out of the machine tool business sometime in the 70's or 80's, about the same time all the other Oz manufacturers like Nuttall and Sheraton stopped making machine tools..

The McPherson's company is still around these days but has nothing to do with machinery McPherson's Limited

**Rocky5** · 26th October 2009, 08:30 PM

RC
Thanks for tips. I had been searching the using Mason but when I added McPherson I found references in the National Lib.. still chasing.

I really appreciate the info. I find it interesting but hard to understand how this sort of industry doesnt exist any more.

Randal

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