Reproducing parts in un-obtainium

[Occasional machinist]

A bit off topic, but that's a nice little shaper there Bill - never seen one that small. Does it work or is it more a show piece?
Michael

[WmRMeyers]

It sort of works, but needs another overhaul. My so-called workshop is a former back porch, slab on ground, and whenever it rains, the floor floods. I apparently didn't get it oiled sufficiently to keep it from re-rusting. Have a VFD & 600rpm gear motor to install on it, and that's been on hold for several years now. Keep getting distracted by other problems. Mostly medical these days. It's a Lewis Machine Tool shaper. Lewis was a manufacturer of kits of castings, active from the 1920's too 1957, so no two Lewis Shapers are identical. When I got it, it had a 48vdc motor generator, and some really sketchy wiring, and had been sitting out in the rain for some months after the previous owner died. My friend Bill Hinkle knew I was looking for a shaper, and was pretty broke at the time, and bought it, and offered it to me for $150, on any payment schedule I could manage. My wife is the understanding sort, and allowed me to buy it, and pay for it immediately. A few years later, she bought, for me, his restoration project South Bend Heavy 10L tool room lathe. That's sitting here waiting for me to work on it, too. I'm over-subscribed for restoration projects.

Bill

[Frank S]

'Snip' That's sitting here waiting for me to work on it, too. I'm over-subscribed for restoration projects.

Bill

It has always been my case. If at any time I find that I am not oversubscribed in projects. Another one will invent itself to refill may plate.