Thread: Vintage Lathe

stick it in an auction or on ebay, trading post etc etc...some one will snap it up and care for it

If you are just looking to get rid of it and are hoping it goes to a good home you could contact the Yarloop steam workshops and see if they are interested in taking it. They have a lot of old machine tools and steam engines related to the WA timber industry that they restore and display.

Yarloop Workshops Inc Official Homepage - Workshops and Steam Museum in Historic Yarloop Western Australia

Originally Posted by Big Feller

Hi
I have an old Tangeyes Lathe from Birmingham UK, originally brought out to Australia for a timber mill in the Pemberton Area. It was driven from an overhead shaft powered by the mills steam engine. I have converted to electric and used it to make a few things (including a saw mill) but am now getting something newer.

Before I flog it off for scrap metal, I would be interested in your opinions as to whether it may have any value either, maybe as heritage item.

NB saw a similar (slightly more primative version) Tangeyes in the London Museum in the history of industrial development floor.

What sort of condition is it in and do you have any paperworkj related to its history ... or photos of it in use?

That would make it really valuable for a collector or particulary the community groups who restore and show old steem driven contrations.

I would definitly contact a old tools group or some such .... maybe even a museum in your area.

Obviously you would not get money for this but you would be recieved as a grat and wonderful person.

I've just looked on the UK Lathes site and while the name Tangeyes is mentioned, there are no details of the brand or manufacturer.
As suggested, can you provide some pictures?

The lathe is down at the farm so will try and get a picture this weekend and send it through to Yarloop Steam Workshops to see what they have to say. It is similar to the attached photo from London Museum.
My lathe has a later cast headstock mounting, brass bushings in the headstock, removable bed section for increased swing and updated tool post. There is a bit of wear in the bed, partic around the chuck, and some surface rust, but I have still been using it successfully although is not what you would call a precision tool.

NB spelling should be Tangyes. Unfortunately don't have any documentation. Bought it from a farmer in Northcliffe who said it came from the Northcliffe Mill which is in the Karri forest south of Pemberton.
Tangyes started in Birmingham around 1846 and made a large variety of machine tools and stationary enginges.

Yarloop workshop have a Tangyes engine in their steam shed pictured on the website.

Pictures of the Lathe.
It is 3m long overall with around 600 swing over gap.