Lathe – #6 Metal

The #6 was a fairly early introduction coming in about 1880 as a bench seat model. It was also the largest of the back geared, screw cutting metal lathes. With a 12 inch swing at introduction, it far surpassed the #5 which at the time had a 9 inch swing. Here is a catalog cut along with description and some testimonials. Note also that Barnes offered options such as a longer bed length as well as a countershaft for using it with a line shaft.

By 1900 and after the swing on the #5 was increased to 11 inches and they had introduced the short lived # 5 1/2, Barnes increased the swing of the #6 to 13 inches, 17 inches with riser blocks, and added some new features. By about 1900, Barnes introduced the #13 which had the same swing and a number of the same features of the #6.  Here is a catalog cut and description of what they called the “New Pattern” version.

 

Here are some examples of these #6 lathes including long beds and true treadle versions. Had a #6 one time that was true treadle and with rider blocks that is included in these shots. Once you got it started, with all the momentum it had, it was very hard to stop. Found out that if you took the flywheel off, you needed to be very careful as it was almost too heavy for one person to control.