Mystery lathe on eBay

This looks like an interesting lathe. Does anyone know the make and anything about it?

**LINK**

David.

Have you asked the seller for details yet?

Hard to imagine how the seller thought blowing the stand over would improve it at all ......could have at least stood it on a fresh pallet before taking the photos

I haven't asked him and probably won't as I'm not interested in buying it!

I have asked the question here, firstly because someone will probably know the answer and secondly because it looks like it was a quality item in its day and someone on here may be interested in it.

David.

The missing gap filler in the bed might put some off?

With a QCGB, with separate power feed shaft, and the extras it might be appealing as an orphan. But what I find peculiar is having a bidding auction alongside a ‘make an offer’ alternative. Is the seller expecting a higher offer? I would nearly always be making a lower one, if no bidders, so far.

It's eBay's latest making money scam of the week.

They have introduced a new 'feature' that if you put something on auction rather than fixed price, it automatically adds a 'make an offer' option by stealth.

This is nothing but a cheap attempt by eBay to get more sales, and thus more revenue for them.

There is a carefully concealed drop down box below the 'starting price' box, if you click on this it allows you to deselect the 'make an offer' option, but then tells you this may incur extra charges!

Many are caught out by not knowing this, and list as an auction with the 'make an offer' option still in place.

And highwaymen used to wear face masks........

It shouldn't be forgotten, in fairness, that such Flea-bay offers can be declined.

Ebay bidding, wandering off topic. Who made the lathe? It is annoyingly familiar and yet...........

Andrew.

It is answering a question made by NDIY earlier.

You may consider that off topic, I consider it courteously answering a question raised about the lathe listing on eBay

Thanks, David,

It was a comment, not really a question. But thanks for the explanation - I do know epay already gets more share of the take than they deserve.

It certainly is an intriguing mystery. The flat bed looks possibly British in origin? But the accessories are equally intriguing and of a very high standard. See pic below. That is one fancy dividing head in the middle, with some fancy compound gearing. Cutting spiral flutes anyone? And the item on the left? A slotting head? Very nicely done by the look of it.

Didn't mean to tread on any ones toes re explaining Ebay practices.

I am just intensely curious as to the lathes origin. It seems very familiar, the headstock and tailstock are the things that are familiar.

Isn't annoying when the brain refuses to do the random access search that is necessary.

Andrew.

Didn't mean to tread on any ones toes re explaining Ebay practices.

I am just intensely curious as to the lathes origin. It seems very familiar, the headstock and tailstock are the things that are familiar.

Isn't annoying when the brain refuses to do the random access search that is necessary.

Andrew.

Andrew

No worries

I have spent a bit of time searching on .lathes.co.uk, and I can't identify it either.

It has elements of some eastern European production lathes I have seen on specialized military work. The accessory in the middle on the pallet looks like a dividing head with some extra gizmos. Might be very useful. The accessory on the left looks like a specially made spin index with an angled workholder. It too might be useful.

However the respray of the stand is not a good omen. That bit of paint may hide serious abuse or labels / graffiti indicating something of its' origin.

If buying it, it may be wise to check it with a geiger counter before unloading it into a home workshop. Just a hunch.

No need for a work light then? Just turning by the eerie phosphorescence....

Good one ☝️

John