Project Description
This is a 1/6 scale fully functional treadle operated antique lathe, circa about 1890, made by the late Al Osterman, father to the late renown miniature maker Daniel Osterman. This piece was made about 30 – 40 years ago. I was told by Dan’s son that this piece took Al over 1 year to make. The base measures 13 5/8″ X 8 9/16″. The lathe stands about 7 7/8″ tall. This piece is just amazing! I don’t know much about lathes, but the belt drives the lathe head when the foot pedal is pumped like an old antique treadle sewing machine. This could also be operated by hooking it up to a line shaft. There is a lever to engage the back gears so the lathe will feed automatically. The tool rest, steady rest, and tailpiece all work. The lathe is mostly machined steel construction, with the legs, base, and larger pieces painted in a black enamel. The balance of the steel parts are finished in the white. There are some brass pieces including bushings and the two functional oilers, & most of the bearing are babbet just like the original. The workmanship and attention to detail is just unreal, even the oak flooring is individual tongue & groove boards with walnut wood pegs holding them in place! Al made a number of different machine shop/gun shop machines and hand tools over the years, including a drill press, shaper, surface grinder, rifling machine, and more. This is the second one of these I’ve been able to offer for sale, the last one back in 2017. I carried that one to shows it always drew a crowd! Many people bringing others to my table just to see this lathe! Near mint condition with just a little staining & some minor surface rust on the belt pulleys, which should clean up easily. Stock # CK-225. Price: $6,500.00.
