[AD] BIG Lathe for Sale
Ellis Walentine
Hi folks,
My old friend David Ellsworth has decided to sell a truly iconic piece of equipment, his Jim Thompson lathe. Here's what David has to say about this lathe, along with a few tasty pictures and some details...
The Big Lathe
Reluctantly, I’m putting my Thompson lathe up for sale. Jim Thompson was a brilliant designer, engineer and machinist. He made probably only four custom-built lathes, this one for me in 1985. I used it for all my large pieces until about 2007 when the market began to drop for my large pieces.
This lathe is perfect for large work of any shape or style from logs to burls, accommodating workpieces up to 60" long x 37" diameter maximum. And it's the only lathe I know of where you actually stand inside the ways when hollowing a large bowl or hollow form...they're 18" apart.
The lathe comes with the first four-prong, independent-blade spur drive, plus a unique square-shafted drilling bar with interchangeable bits for deep drilling.
The feeling of putting a gouge to a piece of wood knowing that you're NEVER going to stop the lathe is more than rewarding; it brings a massive smile.
Details:
Overall Length: 96"
Overall Width: 36"
Spindle Height: 44"
Weight: 4,000 lbs. (Sides may also be filled with sand for add’l. mass.)
Workpiece weight limit: Unknown, possibly unlimited 
Motor: 5 HP, single-phase
Speed Range: 110 - 1,100 rpm
Capacity: 37"diameter x 60" long
Quill extension from tailstock: 7"
Headstock spindle: 2"Φ x 8-tpi, #3 Morse taper
Tailstock: #3 Morse taper; may be offset to be out of the way of long handled tools.
Faceplates (2): 6" x 1" thick; 9" x 1" thick (May be bolted to a 16" x 3/8" faceplate for larger diameter work.)
Auxiliary faceplate for chucking bottom of bowls
Cam locks on all moving parts, tailstock and tool rest/banjo
Steady Rest: Fully equipped, 16" diameter capacity
Drilling Bar:30" long, 1 1/2" square drilling bar with 2 3/4" bit
Gantry with 2-ton chain hoist included. This is essential for picking up large chunks of wood and bringing them effortlessly and with subtle precision to the headstock.
Price: $5,500
Pickup by customer, Quakertown, PA [double-axle trailer with winch or rollback truck required]
Contact:
David Ellsworth
1378 Cobbler Rd.
Quakertown, PA 18951
215-536-5298 H
215-527-7928 Cell
[email protected]
