Just thought it really fun to gawk at, for turning columns, big columns! Pretty cool I think.

Here is the sales description:

 

1946 Pattern makers 20' lathe. (Yes TWENTY Feet!) This beautiful piece of Americana was originally ordered in 1946 built and shipped 5-22-1947 to MGM Pictures. Original 1946 purchase price?...........................$2912.00! 30" of swing over the bed and 92" Outboard. and 16 feet between centers. Head stock can be offset 10 degrees for turning tapered columns. Tool rest is gear driven to traverse the length of the lathe. 2 speed motor w/ 4 speed step pulley drive for 8 speeds 160-2520 Rpm. The original invoice states that this is a 2 speed 3 hp motor. (seams odd to me with the sheer size of the motor) 220 3 phase (motor data plate is under the motor which is 1 " off the floor. I know this thing is a beast, and while I hate to see it happen, if the bed was cut at the mid leg and split into two, this would be a really nice 10 ft lathe with the option bolt the extension back on for occasional longer turning needs.

 

Dang, you'd have to pack a lunch to make one complete pass. Lol

1 minute ago, User74 said:

Dang, you'd have to pack a lunch to make one complete pass. Lol

Good wun 74

You know, I have a lathe now, it gets me by, more than enough for what I need, but if I ever shopped for a lathe again, I'd love one of those Ernie Conover Lathes. Loved the style and old timey look of those.

12 minutes ago, John Morris said:

You know, I have a lathe now, it gets me by, more than enough for what I need, but if I ever shopped for a lathe again, I'd love one of those Ernie Conover Lathes. Loved the style and old timey look of those.

I'm not familiar with them. I'll have to look them up. 

2 minutes ago, User74 said:

I'm not familiar with them. I'll have to look them up. 

 

2 minutes ago, John Morris said:

 

Wow, that thing is beautiful. It's not like a work of art than a tool. 

Wow now that’s a lathe !  Was there a price listed ?

Paul

8 minutes ago, User74 said:

Wow, that thing is beautiful. It's not like a work of art than a tool. 

That one is 74, the lathe that was provided originally to the purchaser are basically the mechanics, the motor, headstock and tail stock and iron legs is what you bought, then it was up to the buyer to provide their own bed. The beauty of the Conover was, you can make your lathe any length you like since you are providing the bed and lower shelf. And as you can see in this example Conover lathe, the owner chose to adorn their bed, it is a nice example. It's all I would need.

2 minutes ago, Masonsailor said:

Wow now that’s a lathe !  Was there a price listed ?

Paul

Paul it was 5900 bucks

I moved this topic to the Old Woodworking Machinery Forum.

Well I don’t have room……. but Static LV  does. Hmmmm

Paul

 Turn some mighty big pens on that! 

2 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

 Turn some mighty big pens on that! 

It'd be interesting to know what the guys at MGM originally turned on it. Military canon props? Columns for prop plantation style homes? Or?

With wooden columns in such high demand one could make a fortune !!! 
Paul

How long of a road trip are Michael and I in for John ?

Paul

When was Gone With The Wind made ?

Paul

5 minutes ago, Masonsailor said:

How long of a road trip are Michael and I in for John ?

Paul

Oceanside, California Paul. If you are interested I can PM ya the link to the listing.

1 minute ago, Masonsailor said:

When was Gone With The Wind made ?

Paul

Before this lathe was ordered Paul.

1939 Gone With the Wind was released. Lathe was ordered in 1946?

Original cost of that Lathe was 3 grand.

Couldn't 3 grand buy a home back in the mid 40's?