Recently Acquired Drummond B lathe

I recently acquired a Drummond type B lathe which will need a little work, but will ultimately fit my purposes fine. When I tried to check the date of manufacture, the serial number seem a little bizarre - 347? Anyone have any ideas why this doesn't fit in at all with model B serial numbers? There are also some letters on the front end of the bed on the front rail - any clues?

Edited By JasonB on 30/03/2018 20:00:17

Hi Don, I guess it must be a really early one.

**LINK**

Regards Nick.

Don - it would be worth you joining the Drummond lathes group on Yahoo, a lot of folk on that group with much knowledge about Drummond lathes and their history.

As far as I know the "B" was produced from 1912 to 1921, when it was replaced by the "M" type, so you're looking at a 9 year period with WW1 in the middle when I believe the numbering system got a bit confused - it looks as though your number is a digit short!

Could it be a late pattern headstock on an old-pattern bed?

Neil

I suspect that the 'M CH B' and 'No. 347' labels are Inventory tags from some pevious owner.

... They don't look 'Drummond' to me.

MichaelG.

Not really as both the headstock and bed designs date from the introduction of the "B" type. The stamped number MchB would seem to indicate a "B" type, and both earlier (if it would fit) and later headstocks were devoid of the overarm according to the lathes.co.uk website.

I dont think its a B as thought mine was a B it looks later as you have the myford 4 sort of bar mech it looks a bit earlier than Myford 4 as you still have the carriage control at end like mine but a rocker undermeath with the screw to the side mine goes through the centre of the lathe it might be an 'M'

Martin yours is s 'pre-B'.
Most of the Bs have the distinctive overarm on the headstock but mine has an earlier headstock. Later ones also lost the overarm. Ms are spotted by the handwheel on the apron.

Hi Don

It is a B Type and is pre 1916 as it dose not have the cast patches on the front of the body which were for the admiralty lathes cross feed.Try looking at the shears at the tailstock end front and back for the number.Mine was a 1920's and was in its original condition with treadle power.

Frank