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Made by a little known tool and machine-tool manufacturer, the 2.5" x 10.25" Scott-Homer lathe was a simple, plain-turning, machine that was available, so far as is known, both with and without a gap and with the option of slow-speed backgearing - the gears being, remarkably for an inexpensive lathe, in bronze. Clamped by a single bolt to the gap-equipped bed, the headstock echoed mid 19th century small-lathe practice in having a single front bearing with the rear of the spindle turned to a point, hardened and made to bear against an adjustable thrust bolt. With a 3-step pulley, the headstock spindle was designed to be driven by a round leather "gut" rope from either a separate countershaft or, possibly, from the maker's "foot motor" or treadle-equipped stand. With exposed feedscrews, the compound slide rest was also of the simplest possible construction with the screw thrust taken against flat oval plates secured to the end of each slide by two screws. As on most contemporary competing machines, crank handles were fitted - awkward to operate in comparison with a balanced type - and lacking any form of micrometer dial. If you have a lathe like this (only two have come to light in recent years) the writer would be interested in hearing from you. The lathe on the glass table is for sale on eBay.
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