Oval Spinning Lathe Model 954: this superb catalogue illustration from 1921 says it all: specification, capacity, speeds, weight and floor space required. As backgear was fitted, the lathe was able to both spin and  finish turn at slow speed the oval die on which the work was to be formed - a process that eliminated any error due to the die being made on another oval chuck

Although advertised until the end of the 1920s, the 15-inch Spinning lathe Model 295 - shown here with an oval chuck, compound slide rest and a lever-operated tailstock spindle - dated from 1903 or earlier. The thrust plate mounted outboard of the spindle end testifies to this being a Victorian design

Largest of the Taylor & Challen spinning lathes were the 21-inch centre height Models 373 and 24-inch 331. Of obvious antiquity, the machines were offered until the end of the 1920s and evidently built only to special order. Equipment available included a compound spinning rest and beading and trimming rests.

9-inch Trimming Lathe Model 654 designed for trimming and "marking" in one setting. "Marking" involved pressing a tightly radiused bead around things like saucepan covers and oil drums, the effect being to reduce flex in the article. The job was pressed into a cup, mounted on the headstock spindle and held by a treadle-operated toggle mechanism. The trimming cutters were opened and closed by a hand lever actuating a right and left-hand screw and slit off the scrap in the form of a ring

Light-duty backgeared roll-grinding lathe Model 890. Weighing 3 tons and able to take work up to 48" long and 14" diameter, this lathe was intended for the occasional grinding or "trueing up" of rollers used in small rolling mills. Twelve speeds were provided, 6 in direct belt drive and 6 in backgear, the countershaft being carried on a girder - supported on uprights bolted to the outside face of each leg - a crude though satisfactory way of making the machine almost self-contained (and also allowing the makers to include a block and tackle for safe handling of the rolls). The toolpost held an electric motor fitted with grinding wheel, the assembly able to be set at an angle for grinding tapers