Atlas lathes (and their other machine tools) were promoted during WW-II for defense production. ?Simple parts, in a home workshop, let folks contribute to the War Effort and make some money too. ?In some of their period literature they mention exactly these uses. ?And given that the needs for EVERYTHING were so great, the fact that Atlas continued producing much of their product line throughout the war indicates that the government believed that the Atlas machines added value.
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"In January 1942, the newly created War Production Board assumed responsibility for directing war procurement and production and establishing priorities for military and civilian use of materials and supplies." from
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As to the specifics of how YOUR lathe came to the UK? ?It is all conjecture, but we know from Tony's site that Atlas machinery did make it to the UK.
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Charlie
charles brady