ManSon Miniature Leadscrew Lathe Start Price USD 10.00 Current Price USD 1,526.00 Time Left - Bid Count 12 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, October 15, 2008 End Time Monday, October 20, 2008 Location Syracuse, NY See more about 'ManSon Miniature Leadscrew Lathe' Description Here we have one of the nicest and most desirable versions of the miniature lathes manufactured by the Small Machines Company of West Los Angeles, California.  This company was started in 1946 and offered a succession of tiny functional lead screw lathes which look to have been modeled after a Monarrch model 10EE or similar tool room lathe of the time.  The lathes were advertised as the "world's smallest lathe" at the time, and as you can see in the photos, this one measures just shy of 9 & 1/2 inches long!!  The lathes initially offered had a plain tailstock with screw feed which accepted tapered centers etc.  The headstock had plain bearings and and the spindle had a taper which accepted a set of small collets which were held by a threaded cap nut. This slightly later and much more expensive version is much more versatile, and has a ball bearing spindle which accepts standard 8mm watchmaker's lathe collets. Even more importantly, this lathe has a collet carrying tailstock with an adjustable micrometer stop. This lathe is in excellent running condition and the leadscrew operated carriage works smoothly.  The reversing switch and the foot pedal rheostat also work well.  The original lantern tool post with rocker is included.  I am leaving it as found, but an hour or so of cleaning and polishing will make the lathe look beautiful. These lathes have cast iron beds and polished aluminum cabinets.The lathe also comes with a nice assortment of 22 8mm or "ww" collets as well as a collet center, a standard taper collet and a cement chuck. The collet sizes are as follows: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 30, 31, 36, 40, 45, 50, and 1/4" The collets are made by several manufacturers including Derbyshire, Whitcomb, Boley, Peerless, etc.  I wouldn't recommend the lathe for watch work, but it is a really cute functioning machine. You can get some additional details on this interesting company at http://www.lathes.co.uk/manson/index.html  These lathes have become quite collectible, and this is one of the nicest versions to own.   Created by eBay Blackthorne ver. 3.1.96.0 Place a Bid!