Manson 9" mini lathe - photo

[Jon]

Manson 9" mini lathe.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg




Previously:

Miniature Browning machine gun - GIF
Miniature working traction engine - video
Mini steam traction engine can crusher
Miniature French press coffee maker - GIF
Miniature Chevy V8 engine - video
Miniature hand-cranked mechanized hacksaw - GIF

[mklotz]

Surprisingly, it was built right here in Los Angeles.

The real question is why it was built. It's not particularly useful as a jeweler's lathe. Rather it's a working model of a machinist's lathe. As such, its one inch swing and three inches between centers is too small for most work. Even a Unimat can take bigger work than that. I've never heard of a model builder using one of these. Where was the market back in 1946 for such a device? The original cost was around $50 and that was a lot of money in 1946.

Despite all that, most machinists, including me, would like to have one, if for nothing more than a desktop ornament.

[Jon]

More:

Manson Small Machines Inc. Mini Lathe Master Lathe - US $1,200.00 (Denver, CO) | VintageMachinery.org

ManSon Lathes

[rjitreeman0909]

Probably a salesman sample. Sweet little machine. I'm the right market it might sell for as much as the full size machine.