Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5261

Hey Colin,?

I live in Manchester now, but grew up in Grafton. I believe you are in Worcester, correct? If I can help, let me know. The best way to learn about properly maintaining old machinery is to own one, use it, and take good care of it. That's what I did with mine. Other than deciding to paint it gray instead of black (I find it easier to see dirt on it and keep it clean) I restored every part over the course of a year. Really rewarding to do and I love that I am using my ye olde lathe to make brand new part for robots.?

Welcome to the group!

Ryan

A few questions about my Lot 4

#5260

Good evening,

Well, I finally decided to move my Dalton into the basement after having problems with rust and freezing fingers trying to use my lathe in my unheated garage. I painted the floor and walls to help reduce moisture in there and I think it will come together nicely a new shop space. While moving my lathe, I came up with a few questions that I thought I'd ask the group about.?

What is the little brass cap with the metal and felt wick on the tailstock for?
My drill chuck ejects properly from the tailstock, but my dead centers don't. Is there a way to adjust the "ejection" feature of the tailstock when you move the tail spindle all the way in?
Now that my lathe is inside, and probably will be for the next 10 years, what should I be checking, replacing, or servicing? Is there the equivalent of a tune-up guide somewhere? My ways have some scraping visible, but the rest is worn. Is this the kind of thing I could learn to do or have done, or is it best left alone?
I have one of those orange polyurethane belt on it now, but I also have a leather one in a box. Any reason to favor one over another? The orange has alway bothered me.?
Any idea how to date my lathe? It says Lot B-4 on the lovely brass plaques and has 5179 stamped on the bed. ?

Many thanks!?

Ryan
Manchester, MA

Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5259

Haha, Thanks!

I am on Long Island so not exactly New England but not too far either!

-Colin

Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5258

He looks like a keeper!

Welcome home, Colin.

Are you anywhere near New England?

Larry

On Thursday, January 28, 2021, 4:07:21 PM EST, Colin <colinwl583@...> wrote:

Hey Everyone,

I'm new here but the Lot 1 No. 4 lathe in the pictures is mine and I'm the "whipersnapper" you are all talking about.

First off, I have no intentions of selling this thing. I made a deal with my friend who gave it to me(It didn't come from an estate sale) that if I ever decided that I didn't want it, I would return it to him. However, this thing is way too cool so I have every intention of cleaning it up and using it. I don't, however, intend on restoring it as of now as I currently don't have the time. (I'm a senior in high school, have way too many time consuming hobbies, and my own business to take care of lol.)

This being said, just because I plan on using this lathe and not restoring it doesn't mean that I won't take care of it! I will make sure to totally go through this thing and give it a complete servicing as well as keeping it maintained. Although I am new to this and am only 17 year old, I am a quick learner, (especially with mechanical things) and know more about antiques and servicing things than most people my age do. I collect and revive antique small engines,have also been into antique ( pre 1942) cars since I was a toddler, and recently got into vintage trucks as well if that gives you all any idea. I get that many of you would rather see this thing restored in a museum(people said the same thing about me daily driving a 1971 Dodge with only 16711 original miles on it) but I believe that these machines were built to be used and? and that's what I intend to do.

I will admit, however, that I am very much a beginner when it comes to lathes and machining and while I know several machinists who are going to teach me about using a lathe, I would greatly appreciate any help that some of you guys can offer when I start to get the lathe itself up and going again. ( I am very much looking forward it by the way!) I think many of you will find that I am not your average teenager and that this lathe will be well taken care of, not abused and broken. I will definitely be starting a new thread about reviving this thing when I get some free time over my next school break in a couple of weeks. Expect plenty of questions! :)

- Colin

Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5257

I'll make sure to get some and post them when I do but for now, these are all I have:

Please forgive the mess in the background lol. Hard to keep the garage clean when you have customer's machines rolling through it all the time! ?

-Colin

Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5256

It would be great to see some pictures when you get it set up.

Show quoted text

On Thu, Jan 28, 2021 at 6:05 PM Colin <Colinwl583@...> wrote:

Thanks! I figured that would be the case! Looking forward to seeing this thing making some chips! : )

Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5255

Thanks! I figured that would be the case! Looking forward to seeing this thing making some chips! : )

Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5254

Good to hear?Colin and welcome to the group.? I am sure you will find that people here are more than helpful.

Show quoted text

On Thu, Jan 28, 2021 at 1:07 PM Colin <Colinwl583@...> wrote:

Hey Everyone,

I'm new here but the Lot 1 No. 4 lathe in the pictures is mine and I'm the "whipersnapper" you are all talking about.

First off, I have no intentions of selling this thing. I made a deal with my friend who gave it to me(It didn't come from an estate sale) that if I ever decided that I didn't want it, I would return it to him. However, this thing is way too cool so I have every intention of cleaning it up and using it. I don't, however, intend on restoring it as of now as I currently don't have the time. (I'm a senior in high school, have way too many time consuming hobbies, and my own business to take care of lol.)

This being said, just because I plan on using this lathe and not restoring it doesn't mean that I won't take care of it! I will make sure to totally go through this thing and give it a complete servicing as well as keeping it maintained. Although I am new to this and am only 17 year old, I am a quick learner, (especially with mechanical things) and know more about antiques and servicing things than most people my age do. I collect and revive antique small engines,have also been into antique ( pre 1942) cars since I was a toddler, and recently got into vintage trucks as well if that gives you all any idea. I get that many of you would rather see this thing restored in a museum(people said the same thing about me daily driving a 1971 Dodge with only 16711 original miles on it) but I believe that these machines were built to be used and? and that's what I intend to do.

I will admit, however, that I am very much a beginner when it comes to lathes and machining and while I know several machinists who are going to teach me about using a lathe, I would greatly appreciate any help that some of you guys can offer when I start to get the lathe itself up and going again. ( I am very much looking forward it by the way!) I think many of you will find that I am not your average teenager and that this lathe will be well taken care of, not abused and broken. I will definitely be starting a new thread about reviving this thing when I get some free time over my next school break in a couple of weeks. Expect plenty of questions! :)

- Colin

Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5253

Only shows up once on my p.c., Dennis. Sorry, no help from me on this.

Dan

Re: Oldest Dalton has been found.

#5252

Hey Everyone,

I'm new here but the Lot 1 No. 4 lathe in the pictures is mine and I'm the "whipersnapper" you are all talking about.

First off, I have no intentions of selling this thing. I made a deal with my friend who gave it to me(It didn't come from an estate sale) that if I ever decided that I didn't want it, I would return it to him. However, this thing is way too cool so I have every intention of cleaning it up and using it. I don't, however, intend on restoring it as of now as I currently don't have the time. (I'm a senior in high school, have way too many time consuming hobbies, and my own business to take care of lol.)

This being said, just because I plan on using this lathe and not restoring it doesn't mean that I won't take care of it! I will make sure to totally go through this thing and give it a complete servicing as well as keeping it maintained. Although I am new to this and am only 17 year old, I am a quick learner, (especially with mechanical things) and know more about antiques and servicing things than most people my age do. I collect and revive antique small engines,have also been into antique ( pre 1942) cars since I was a toddler, and recently got into vintage trucks as well if that gives you all any idea. I get that many of you would rather see this thing restored in a museum(people said the same thing about me daily driving a 1971 Dodge with only 16711 original miles on it) but I believe that these machines were built to be used and? and that's what I intend to do.

I will admit, however, that I am very much a beginner when it comes to lathes and machining and while I know several machinists who are going to teach me about using a lathe, I would greatly appreciate any help that some of you guys can offer when I start to get the lathe itself up and going again. ( I am very much looking forward it by the way!) I think many of you will find that I am not your average teenager and that this lathe will be well taken care of, not abused and broken. I will definitely be starting a new thread about reviving this thing when I get some free time over my next school break in a couple of weeks. Expect plenty of questions! :)

- Colin

Re: 1918 Dalton Type B4 - with no serial #

John Roberts

#5251

开云体育

I’ll send photos tonight. ? Thanks everyone.?

Thanks,

-John

703-592-6540

Show quoted text

On Jan 26, 2021, at 12:59 AM, Dennis Turk <dennis.turk2@...> wrote:

?Oh and also the compound. Let me know how the compound slide is attached to the cross slide. Can’t really tell in the photo.?

On Jan 16, 2021, at 9:31 AM, John Roberts <jroberts321@...> wrote:

My 104 year old (born in 1916) Grandfather died last week and I now have a Dalton lathe that he owned and loved for most of his life. ? He told me the story of picking up the lathe during the Great Depression when - I believe he said - the lathe was being phased out or replaced by the shop (I believe in NY) - that had been using it. ? He died with a piece of brass still in the machine - he enjoyed making candle sticks with the lathe.

I was trying to determine what lot and serial # were marked on the lathe - but I can’t seem to find it where I believe it should be. ? Here are some photos of the lathe and the area where I thought the serial # should have been.

Any ideas what this lathe is and why there doesn’t appear to be a serial #? ? I measured the distance from the center of the work piece to the top rail - also shown below.

<63157941325__4038A523-F33F-42F9-A668-BC244B32A188 2.jpeg>
<IMG_1389.jpeg>
<IMG_1387.jpeg>

<IMG_1386.jpeg>

Re: 1918 Dalton Type B4 - with no serial #

#5250

Hi at all,

?

could be an early Lot 3 ?

?

Regards

Rainer
?

?

Re: 1918 Dalton Type B4 - with no serial #

#5249

开云体育

Oh and also the compound. Let me know how the compound slide is attached to the cross slide. Can’t really tell in the photo.?

Show quoted text

On Jan 16, 2021, at 9:31 AM, John Roberts <jroberts321@...> wrote:

My 104 year old (born in 1916) Grandfather died last week and I now have a Dalton lathe that he owned and loved for most of his life. ? He told me the story of picking up the lathe during the Great Depression when - I believe he said - the lathe was being phased out or replaced by the shop (I believe in NY) - that had been using it. ? He died with a piece of brass still in the machine - he enjoyed making candle sticks with the lathe.

I was trying to determine what lot and serial # were marked on the lathe - but I can’t seem to find it where I believe it should be. ? Here are some photos of the lathe and the area where I thought the serial # should have been.

Any ideas what this lathe is and why there doesn’t appear to be a serial #? ? I measured the distance from the center of the work piece to the top rail - also shown below.

<63157941325__4038A523-F33F-42F9-A668-BC244B32A188 2.jpeg>
<IMG_1389.jpeg>
<IMG_1387.jpeg>

<IMG_1386.jpeg>

Re: 1918 Dalton Type B4 - with no serial #

#5248

开云体育

The lathe is a puzzle to me. Most all of it looks like a Lot 4. But the saddle cross slide does not. They look like a Lot 2.?

Show quoted text

On Jan 16, 2021, at 9:31 AM, John Roberts <jroberts321@...> wrote:

My 104 year old (born in 1916) Grandfather died last week and I now have a Dalton lathe that he owned and loved for most of his life. ? He told me the story of picking up the lathe during the Great Depression when - I believe he said - the lathe was being phased out or replaced by the shop (I believe in NY) - that had been using it. ? He died with a piece of brass still in the machine - he enjoyed making candle sticks with the lathe.

I was trying to determine what lot and serial # were marked on the lathe - but I can’t seem to find it where I believe it should be. ? Here are some photos of the lathe and the area where I thought the serial # should have been.

Any ideas what this lathe is and why there doesn’t appear to be a serial #? ? I measured the distance from the center of the work piece to the top rail - also shown below.

<63157941325__4038A523-F33F-42F9-A668-BC244B32A188 2.jpeg>
<IMG_1389.jpeg>
<IMG_1387.jpeg>

<IMG_1386.jpeg>

Re: 1918 Dalton Type B4 - with no serial #

#5247

?John, On my B-4, ser.# is on the right end of the rear way.? Was hard to see on my lathe.? Norm

On Monday, January 25, 2021, 2:44:14 PM EST, John Roberts <jroberts321@...> wrote:

My 104 year old (born in 1916) Grandfather died last week and I now have a Dalton lathe that he owned and loved for most of his life. ? He told me the story of picking up the lathe during the Great Depression when - I believe he said - the lathe was being phased out or replaced by the shop (I believe in NY) - that had been using it. ? He died with a piece of brass still in the machine - he enjoyed making candle sticks with the lathe.

I was trying to determine what lot and serial # were marked on the lathe - but I can’t seem to find it where I believe it should be. ? Here are some photos of the lathe and the area where I thought the serial # should have been.

Any ideas what this lathe is and why there doesn’t appear to be a serial #? ? I measured the distance from the center of the work piece to the top rail - also shown below.

1918 Dalton Type B4 - with no serial #

John Roberts

#5246

My 104 year old (born in 1916) Grandfather died last week and I now have a Dalton lathe that he owned and loved for most of his life. ? He told me the story of picking up the lathe during the Great Depression when - I believe he said - the lathe was being phased out or replaced by the shop (I believe in NY) - that had been using it. ? He died with a piece of brass still in the machine - he enjoyed making candle sticks with the lathe.

I was trying to determine what lot and serial # were marked on the lathe - but I can’t seem to find it where I believe it should be. ? Here are some photos of the lathe and the area where I thought the serial # should have been.

Any ideas what this lathe is and why there doesn’t appear to be a serial #? ? I measured the distance from the center of the work piece to the top rail - also shown below.

?

1918 Dalton Type B4 - with no serial #

John Roberts

#5245

开云体育

My 104 year old (born in 1916) Grandfather died last week and I now have a Dalton lathe that he owned and loved for most of his life. ? He told me the story of picking up the lathe during the Great Depression when - I believe he said - the lathe was being phased out or replaced by the shop (I believe in NY) - that had been using it. ? He died with a piece of brass still in the machine - he enjoyed making candle sticks with the lathe.

I was trying to determine what lot and serial # were marked on the lathe - but I can’t seem to find it where I believe it should be. ? Here are some photos of the lathe and the area where I thought the serial # should have been.

Any ideas what this lathe is and why there doesn’t appear to be a serial #? ? I measured the distance from the center of the work piece to the top rail - also shown below.

1918 Dalton Type B4 - with no serial #

John Roberts

#5244

开云体育

My 104 year old (born in 1916) Grandfather died last week and I now have a Dalton lathe that he owned and loved for most of his life. ? He told me the story of picking up the lathe during the Great Depression when - I believe he said - the lathe was being phased out or replaced by the shop (I believe in NY) - that had been using it. ? He died with a piece of brass still in the machine - he enjoyed making candle sticks with the lathe.

I was trying to determine what lot and serial # were marked on the lathe - but I can’t seem to find it where I believe it should be. ? Here are some photos of the lathe and the area where I thought the serial # should have been.

Any ideas what this lathe is and why there doesn’t appear to be a serial #? ? I measured the distance from the center of the work piece to the top rail - also shown below.

Re: Dalton Combination Machine Start Up

#5243

You have to have the only operational combination machine running.? Lest with all stations functional.? Great job.

On Friday, January 15, 2021, 10:39:32 AM PST, L Leonard via groups.io <metalmechanic@...> wrote:

wicked kool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

L

On Friday, January 15, 2021, 12:53:18 PM EST, Joan Kelly <nox2743@...> wrote:

Thanks Dennis, the "threadless nuts" are working good so OK for now. I wanted to see what kind of work the old Combination machine would do so I put a 3" slab mill on it. The old girl did a nice job. This is getting to be a lot of fun.

Re: Dalton Combination Machine Start Up

#5242

wicked kool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

L

On Friday, January 15, 2021, 12:53:18 PM EST, Joan Kelly <nox2743@...> wrote:

Thanks Dennis, the "threadless nuts" are working good so OK for now. I wanted to see what kind of work the old Combination machine would do so I put a 3" slab mill on it. The old girl did a nice job. This is getting to be a lot of fun.