Part of the Open Source project and meant for use in Developing Countries, the Multimachine is a re-design of an almost forgotten World War 1 shell-making lathe - a machine that brought the inventor, Lucian Yeomans, America's highest engineering award, the Franklin Prize. Click here for a pdf download of the design and constructional details.
Using the plans it's possible to construct a multi-function machine tool based on a lathe small enough to use on a bench, or as large as a railroad car, or even bigger. Instead of custom-made and expensive parts, the  design incorporates a number of money and time-saving suggestions as to elements that can be included in its construction including: engine cylinder blocks, straight steel rods or pipes from junked hydraulic cylinder and piston assemblies, automobile or truck wheel hubs, wood, scrap steel, nuts and bolts, etc.