George Adams 2 1/2" Precision

Hello all,

I have just purchased a little George Adams 2 1/2" precision lathe, to have a go at lathe rebuilding and scraping. It felt like a good managable lathe to start on and will (hopefully) give me an accurate lathe to have at home, my Myford being at our workshop.

I'd be interested if anyone has any experience, thoughts etc on these lathes. There's not much information on the internet beyond the lathes.co.uk piece.

If anyone has a copy of the September 1985 Engineering in Miniture, I believe there is an article in there? Perhaps they could photograph/scan and post here for interest?

Look forward to hearing from people.

James

Not got that one, sorry

I have an original G.Adams catalogue which shows 2 1/2"lathes  which may be of interest

I have an original 1930 

Edited By vic newey on 18/05/2023 21:18:07

How fascinating - thanks so much for posting this. I suspect that some of these are as rare as hens teeth. The grinding attachment looks really interesting. As does the lever tailstock, which I suppose if you had a spare tailstock wouldn't be all that hard to make (likewise the indicator stock for the top slide).

James

I'm glad it was of interest, here is another page, the catalogue dates from the 1930's

I wonder how a square tailstock works? You'd have thought that would act like a drill!

I also wonder how many of these screw cutting ones they produced?

Was it a popular lathe in it's time? Presumably not if the works are having to shut down. Lathes.co.uk seem pretty complimentary about the 2 1/2"

Thanks for posting this page.

James

The closing down sale was following the death of George Adams. In the early part of the 20th century he was the sole agent for German Pittler lathes and a close personal friend of von Pittler who founded the company.

Although lots of G.Adams lathes are still around there is no evidence of where they were actually made. I have discovered 5 different retail shop addresses in the same area of High Holborn in London but nowhere is listed as factory premises. A lot of tool retailers added their own badge to imported tools back then.

Here is a link to a page of my website showing different addresses on various adverts and catalogues of George Adams.

If you are referring to the square tailstock centre it does indeed act like a drill and its main use is in truing up a damaged existing centre in work, although I suspect it would also turn a hole into a centre in the absence of a (Slocombe) centre drill which is of more recent vintage than the metal turning lathe itself.

Beautiful little machine and even more amazing accessories. Look at that capstan tailstock. Serious bit of kit. Rather odd in having the capstan handle on the back of the tailstock but I am sure they knew what they were doing.

By the way before you get puzzled by the headstock bore if it seems to have an obstruction or you are wondering what Morse taper it is note that some came with an insert to take 8mm watchmakers' collets. It is removable but might be best leave in situ as one seldom really needs to insert a MT in the headstock.
You will need access to another late to make chuck backplates as they just never are going to appear on ebay and it is an unusually fine thread. Probably best t o run it off a variable speed industrial sowing machine motor.

An ideal size for clockmaking, boat engines, and locos up to G1.

How interesting this is - thanks so much for posting your page. That's fascinating that they had so many Holborn addresses. The lathe I have bought just says High Holborn.

I have just reread the lathes.co.uk page as well and then seem to think that the lathe may have been made by Wolf Jahn, Germany appearing on some parts in their typeface. It goes on to say:

"In addition the accessories also confirm such a connection, being constructed identically and so directly interchangeable with the Wolf Jahn originals. "

I wonder which lathe accessories they are saying are compatable? Looking at the Wolf Jahn page I cannot really see any lathes that would be compatable (apart from one white one) as they all have beveled beds.

James

I'm glad you think so, I was looking for a lathe I can bring up to an accurate and high standard, without being able to afford the expense of a Swiss or German Lathe. Yes, the capstan is amazing, I doubt that they come up very often!

James

That's really helpful, thank you. I have screw cutting Myford so back plates and a face plate should be possible.

I had similar thoughts on the motor, I had wondered about a small DC (I'm guess 1/4hp would be plenty?), but actually a sewing machine motor might work nicely.

I want to bring it up to a really accurate standard for more delicate work and for creating parts for the other machines, including small tool making. Essentially my fine lathe.

James

How interesting. I wonder how accurate that is? I had thought that centres were restored by grinding.

I should have said, I would love to get a small tool post grinder and milling spindle for it, to allow slotting and cylindrical grinding. There is a dividing head plate that has been built into the headstock from brass plate - a craftsman's addition by the look of it, but hopefully well done. I just need to make a new pin assembly.

James

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The catalogue also shows an 1/1/2" lathe which is exactly like a watchmakers lathe, it takes 6mm Wolf Jahn collets

Ah, the quote was from the 2 2/1" lathe, but I wonder if the website is getting confused between the two?

There are errors on that website for sure, I know the section on Pittler lathes contains a few.

The lathe has now arrived and, apart from a bit of hacksaw damage to the top slide which I wasn't expecting, I am very, very pleased with it. It seems really carefully machined and initial measurements suggest as a lathe that was well built and, although used, cared for. The ideal subject for a first rebuild and restoration I would suggest.

If anyone has any accessories or parts for these that they are willing to part with please do let me know.

Likewise just another call out if anyone has a copy of the September 1985 Engineering in Miniature article.

I'm going to be doing a complete strip down restoration, so I'll post up occasional updates and images as I progress.

James

Hi James pm sent,

Regards vic