Don't think people appreciate how much of modern life is possible and affordable due to things like this. Thank you for the effort you went through to make this and rescuing a perfectly good machine from the scrap heap
When I was an engineering apprentice many years ago, the capstan lathe was very much in use. I have worked on Ward and Herbert capstan lathes of various sizes. But let us not forget all the women who worked in factories operating these during wartime and for a long time afterwards. Never, ever did you dare to be cheeky to an old factory woman who could work one of these (and they really could work them very productively). They would turn the wheels and work the handles like whirling dervishes, whilst having a conversation and smoking a cigarette. Cross one of these and they would bellow out words and profanity’s like bullets out of a machine gun at the top of their voice, reducing you to a quivering and embarrassed child.
That is a nice lathe, and your initial investment has been repaid more than a few times I am sure. Any machine, I don't care what it is, or who made it; has limitations that you either live with, or sort out a work around. The old machinery like your lathe is a chunk of history, and it has been a good friend over the years you have had it. Thanks for sharing your story and your lathe.
Had mine 40yrs too, principal m/c tool in my wage earning w/s. Yours is older than mine, mine has the self contained floor mounted motor drive and gear box.
Lol I started my Apprenticeship on a Ward line shaft driven Capstan Lathe. With the War time finnish marks on it. 1960's. Naylors, Golborne. Lancashire. Uk.
Thank you for showing us all on youtube this great little machine. I hope one day I can find me one. Take care of the great little machine. They will never make them again. Today all everyone wants is a automatic machine.
Hi mate, thank you so much for sharing your fantastic Lathe with me. I myself am obsessed with the ward capstan range and will hopefully purchase a 2a from the Caboolture Historic Center in Brisbane, this year. My wife will Kill me when she sees it, for obvious reasons. I have no use for a ward 2a, however, they are the most beautiful piece of machinery ever created (next to the Monarch 10ee). I've only ever seen black and white pictures of the 1a and watching your video is a real joy. It's a beautiful machine mate and I hope you post more videos of her in 2019- I will be watching eagerly. Chris
Chris and Nidal thank you for your kind words. I can understand your appreciation of the Ward lathes. As you would probably realise from the video I love the rigidity and robustness of these older machines. My son has a Chinese centre lathe and I think within its capability I would rather have the Ward. The Ward 1A that you mentioned is a little different to the 1 in that it has a built in motor and the frame is different to accommodate this, otherwise it is the same. There are some pictures of the 1 in some early Ward catalogues and that is all I can find. Chris good luck convincing your wife re the merit of having a largish lathe to just admire tee hee, Maybe you might find something to make to justify it. Mine has certainly had a huge amount of use over the years and at times I havepushed the boundaries of what is possible with this lathe.Nidal I to would appreciate seeing a video of your lathe and what you produce with it. Unfortunately I don't subscribe to Instagram just UA-cam (a bit too old for anything else tee hee) Here are a few other videos I have done that might interest you Best wishes to you both.ua-cam.com/video/5I-tp1JpHT0/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/rtUw24Ar34U/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/FTBKIsce52k/v-deo.html
Absolutely fantastic what a beautiful machine love that it’s line shaft driven still and the parts you have made look to be of absolutely excellent quality
Great presentation. It's hard too many people in today's CNC world to imagine how revolutionary it had to be back in the day for someone going from a complete basic lathe to a capstan lathe like this one) I got a basic manual lathe myself in my hobby room, and somethimes when need of some small series of 10-20 parts I'm thinking towards a cnc lathe . The 'step in' cost for a cnc is pretty high, even for some low end China machine, and I keep on putting the ide aside as I conclude that the need for some tens of parts is not enough, need to go into the hundreds of parts if justify the cost for a CNC. It's funny to think about that something like a 1930's capstan lathe would been revolutionary in my workshop today, in 2022:) I looking at getting a turret installed, an doing other developments of my lathe to step up the production speed when needed, inspired by the old scholl turret lathes
Not forgetting of course the introduction of copy lathes. I wish I had taken films of the two we had, they turned metal very fast indeed, and I’m sure it would surprise many CNC turners of today.
Always been proud to have been brought up in Birmingham . As a kid on the bus travelling along Constitution Hill I think, gazing in through Cannings windows at the mass of turret lathes , all gone now of course. On the sites of the Ward factories are probably a couple of Mosques now , never mind.....
I enjoyed this video. Took me back a ways. I live in Canada and somehow one of these lathes got over here. The Ward that I used to run was quite large and a later model than yours since it had a great gear box on it. They were a quality machine to be sure. Thanks for the video.
I have a Herbert #3 which is somewhat similar. Mine is set up as a bar stock machine with an air actuated collet chuck. It came with a nearly complete set of collets but no tooling. I always enjoy seeing old machines. Thanks for posting.
James, thank you for your interest. I also have a set of collets and the collet head. Many years ago I got a job to produce a few thousand small hex spacers tapped at each end. I set up the collet head and stood there for several days drilling, tapping and parting off parts one after another. To do that without ones mind frequently wandering off was one of the hardest jobs I've done. I take my hat off to those that worked these machines in repetition mode day after day.
Oh mate you've made me a happy man - I fell in love with and saved from a scrapping mongrel a Herbert Number 2 flat belt drive Capstan - I swear to god the old girl said for me to save her/him at the auction - 2 wards where scrapped - I picked the herbert (almost identical to your in form , because it had a collect chuck - I am slowly looking for bits and pieces to built it up - fair dinkum you've made my day - I was out in the shed doing various bits to it just today - I've only just restored the two 4 handled turret and chuck lever wheels for lack of a better description (the four lever captains wheel arrangements) - the herbert is the same massive spindle bearings etc . I hope you're gonna do more videos will look forward to it. I am coupling it with a 2 HP century 100 year old repulsion motor which I saved from a paddock which also ran magnificently after 10 or 15 years of not running etc etc - I'll stop rabbiting on - very excited to see your vid. cheers
Thank you for your interest and nice comments re the exhaust video. I use my lathe quite frequently and appreciate how sturdy the machines of that era are. The Herbert and the Ward seem to be very similar machines both aimed at similar markets. I hope you can get your Herbert up and running and post some videos and keep drinking that tea.
Glenn, good to hear from you. I did have a look at your video and found it interesting. The Herbert with geared head lead screw etc and although more complex and larger than my Ward they have many similarities. What are your plans for the Herbert? I think that 4 jaw chuck would be mighty handy at times, does it also have a 3 jaw. My little Ward gets quite a lot of use making various bits and pieces and as you can see I do enjoy it. I hope to see a video of your Herbert up and running sometime. Regards
@@rohossify The 4 jaw chuck is coming off it...I'll mount that on the south bend centre lathe... The Herbert lathe will need a rebuild... but I think it'll be fairly straightforward.... Now, i'm not saying the machine I have dates to WW1 necessarily...but I have seen old photographic plates on Google images showing munitions girls using them at Vickers during WWI....it looks like they were turning fuse caps for shells... Did you see the other video with the monster radial drill...and all the other stuff...? I've about 40 machine tools... Both woodworking and metalworking... All designed for flat belt drive from overhead lineshafts... The Armley Mills industrial museum in Leeds has a Ward 2 similar to what you have.... And a Ward 2 came up for sale recently on eBay in I think it was either Melbourne or Brisbane... It was in Australia...I know that much..
The Factory where my dad worked had one of those, the coolant pump was like a roots blower, but it was well worn so only produced a dribble, but I guess that happens with age.
We had a Ward capstan the same or very similar, unfortunately I sold it after my father died and our work changed and we had no further use for it.... There's a picture somewhere of me using it when I was just a kid back in the late '60s😊
Lovely video. It amazes me how cheap these lathes are - people almost give them away - so sad. There are plenty of centre lathes being shipped to India - just can't understand why they don't want capstan lathes - ideal for production.
I'm guessing that a capstan lathe is what we call a turret lathe over this side of the puddle? Of course a turret lathe that size we call a screw machine. I enjoyed using Hardings small screw machines years ago and recently I found out they make a beautiful tool room lathe. Too bad I became an electrician and not a machinist.
Thank you for your interest. The capstan lathe and turret lathes are similar, but differ in that the turret tool head on the capstan lathe is on what is called a ram that's located where the tail stock is located on a centre lathe. A turret lathe differs in having the turret tool head mounted on the saddle. I guess each has its advantage and disadvantage.
why were machines always operated with the chuck on the left hand side this was ok for me being left handedbut it must have been difficult for right hands operators
i have a ward 3a capstan lathe that was in my garden when i bought my house! ive started to clean it up and everything seems to be in good order the trouble is i need to get rid of it but would hate to scrap such a piece of history if anyone could help me find it a new home that would be great.
I very much appreciate your interest. Here is a video I did on making a v belt pulley on my little lathe, ua-cam.com/video/QdQb78iIgvM/v-deo.html I hope you enjoy.
Hey I just need to know, how different is a turret lathe from a regular lathe, can I do all types of operations in a turret lathe like in a normal lathe ex threading etc. please post your opinions
Thank you for your interest. A capstan lathe and a turret lathe are slightly different from each other but while they are similar to each other they are both quite different from a centre lathe. They were made for quickly producing items repetitively and have a capstan or turret where a center lathe has a tailstock. Capstan lathes such as mine don't have a lead screw so mine isn't capable of screw cutting and there isn't a compound slide as per a center lathe so it isn't capable of turning a taper. There are attachments that do enable turning at an angle but they are a bit of a fudge and not really practical for doing one offs. There are die heads (expensive) for screw cutting but if I have to cut a thread (rarely) I do it manually. I think that some of the more elaborate capstan lathes can screw cut but not mine. All that said I do love my lathe, being an old lathe it is extremely sturdy and it's quite capable of producing most things that I need . If one were making low quantity parts where turning threads or machining tapers is constantly required then a center lathe is the go. I hope this answers your question adequately.
I worked in a workshop where screw cutting was available for on a capstan lathe every pitch of screw there was a lead screw but only 10 inches long. Engage anywhere too. And it had a fabulous tool retraction method at the end of the thread too. Where a normal center lathe has a gearbox and a thread dial and you engage and disengage a half nut. Required more concentration and discipline.
+Nidal Sultan Hi Nidal, would love to see a video of your machine some time. I'm hoping to buy a 2a this year, but it will cause a lot of problems at home 😂😂😂 (with the wife).
Don't think people appreciate how much of modern life is possible and affordable due to things like this. Thank you for the effort you went through to make this and rescuing a perfectly good machine from the scrap heap
When I was an engineering apprentice many years ago, the capstan lathe was very much in use.
I have worked on Ward and Herbert capstan lathes of various sizes.
But let us not forget all the women who worked in factories operating these during wartime and for a long time afterwards.
Never, ever did you dare to be cheeky to an old factory woman who could work one of these (and they really could work them very productively).
They would turn the wheels and work the handles like whirling dervishes, whilst having a conversation and smoking a cigarette.
Cross one of these and they would bellow out words and profanity’s like bullets out of a machine gun at the top of their voice, reducing you to a quivering and embarrassed child.
Wow, this lathe and your story behind it, it is all just incredible. Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
She’s a beauty!
They don’t make them like they use to!
That is a nice lathe, and your initial investment has been repaid more than a few times I am sure. Any machine, I don't care what it is, or who made it; has limitations that you either live with, or sort out a work around. The old machinery like your lathe is a chunk of history, and it has been a good friend over the years you have had it. Thanks for sharing your story and your lathe.
Had mine 40yrs too, principal m/c tool in my wage earning w/s. Yours is older than mine, mine has the self contained floor mounted motor drive and gear box.
Lol I started my Apprenticeship on a Ward line shaft driven Capstan Lathe. With the War time finnish marks on it. 1960's.
Naylors, Golborne. Lancashire. Uk.
Thank you for showing us all on youtube this great little machine. I hope one day I can find me one. Take care of the great little machine. They will never make them again. Today all everyone wants is a automatic machine.
Just one word. Beautiful. That is all.
Hi mate, thank you so much for sharing your fantastic Lathe with me. I myself am obsessed with the ward capstan range and will hopefully purchase a 2a from the Caboolture Historic Center in Brisbane, this year. My wife will Kill me when she sees it, for obvious reasons. I have no use for a ward 2a, however, they are the most beautiful piece of machinery ever created (next to the Monarch 10ee).
I've only ever seen black and white pictures of the 1a and watching your video is a real joy. It's a beautiful machine mate and I hope you post more videos of her in 2019- I will be watching eagerly.
Chris
Chris and Nidal
thank you for your kind
words. I can understand your appreciation of the Ward lathes. As you would probably realise from the video I love the rigidity and
robustness of these older machines. My son has a Chinese centre lathe and I think within its capability I would rather have the Ward. The Ward 1A that you mentioned is a little different to the 1 in that it has a built in motor and the frame is different to accommodate this, otherwise it is the same. There are some pictures of the 1 in some early Ward catalogues and that is all I can find. Chris good luck convincing your wife re the merit of having a largish lathe to just admire tee hee, Maybe you might find something to make to justify it. Mine has certainly had a huge amount of use over the years and at times I havepushed the boundaries of what is possible with this lathe.Nidal I to would appreciate seeing a video of your lathe and what you produce with it. Unfortunately I don't subscribe to Instagram just UA-cam (a bit too old for anything else tee hee)
Here are a few other
videos I have done that might interest you Best wishes to you both.ua-cam.com/video/5I-tp1JpHT0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/rtUw24Ar34U/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/FTBKIsce52k/v-deo.html
Absolutely fantastic what a beautiful machine love that it’s line shaft driven still and the parts you have made look to be of absolutely excellent quality
Peter, thank you for your comment. It is such a solid machine, and having a belt drive does offer some advantages.
Happy memories watching this. They had some great features too.
Great presentation. It's hard too many people in today's CNC world to imagine how revolutionary it had to be back in the day for someone going from a complete basic lathe to a capstan lathe like this one) I got a basic manual lathe myself in my hobby room, and somethimes when need of some small series of 10-20 parts I'm thinking towards a cnc lathe . The 'step in' cost for a cnc is pretty high, even for some low end China machine, and I keep on putting the ide aside as I conclude that the need for some tens of parts is not enough, need to go into the hundreds of parts if justify the cost for a CNC. It's funny to think about that something like a 1930's capstan lathe would been revolutionary in my workshop today, in 2022:) I looking at getting a turret installed, an doing other developments of my lathe to step up the production speed when needed, inspired by the old scholl turret lathes
Not forgetting of course the introduction of copy lathes.
I wish I had taken films of the two we had, they turned metal very fast indeed, and I’m sure it would surprise many CNC turners of today.
@@montyzumazoom1337 A "copy lathe"? That seems to obvious from the context. What exactly is such a thing please?
Always been proud to have been brought up in Birmingham . As a kid on the bus travelling along Constitution Hill I think, gazing in through Cannings windows at the mass of turret lathes , all gone now of course. On the sites of the Ward factories are probably a couple of Mosques now , never mind.....
I enjoyed this video. Took me back a ways. I live in Canada and somehow one of these lathes got over here. The Ward that I used to run was quite large and a later model than yours since it had a great gear box on it. They were a quality machine to be sure. Thanks for the video.
Gotta 2a that ive had for the best part of 30 yrs now, wonderful sturdy machine that i will never part with. Thanks for the video
Thank you, they are lovely machines, still using mine quite frequently.
Nice documentary. Good communication skills!!!!
johneric thank you.
A very beautiful and useful machine.
I have a Herbert #3 which is somewhat similar. Mine is set up as a bar stock machine with an air actuated collet chuck. It came with a nearly complete set of collets but no tooling. I always enjoy seeing old machines. Thanks for posting.
James, thank you for your interest. I also have a set of collets and the collet head. Many years ago I got a job to produce a few thousand small hex spacers tapped at each end. I set up the collet head and stood there for several days drilling, tapping and parting off parts one after another. To do that without ones mind frequently wandering off was one of the hardest jobs I've done. I take my hat off to those that worked these machines in repetition mode day after day.
Great video! Thanks for sharing. And fabulous work on the parts you made.
Great to see these old machines working away just bought my self a ward 3a hoping it's all I will ever need
Wonderful lathe and a well done video.
What a lovely video, thanks for this.
Oh mate you've made me a happy man - I fell in love with and saved from a scrapping mongrel a Herbert Number 2 flat belt drive Capstan - I swear to god the old girl said for me to save her/him at the auction - 2 wards where scrapped - I picked the herbert (almost identical to your in form , because it had a collect chuck - I am slowly looking for bits and pieces to built it up - fair dinkum you've made my day - I was out in the shed doing various bits to it just today - I've only just restored the two 4 handled turret and chuck lever wheels for lack of a better description (the four lever captains wheel arrangements) - the herbert is the same massive spindle bearings etc . I hope you're gonna do more videos will look forward to it. I am coupling it with a 2 HP century 100 year old repulsion motor which I saved from a paddock which also ran magnificently after 10 or 15 years of not running etc etc - I'll stop rabbiting on - very excited to see your vid. cheers
Thank you for your interest and nice comments re the exhaust video. I use my lathe quite frequently and appreciate how sturdy the machines of that era are. The Herbert and the Ward seem to be very similar machines both aimed at similar markets. I hope you can get your Herbert up and running and post some videos and keep drinking that tea.
@@rohossify Cheers
I have a fairly early Herbert turret lathe...
Geared head...flat belt driven...
I've done a video on my channel showing it...
Glenn, good to hear from you. I did have a look at your video and found it interesting. The Herbert with geared head lead screw etc and although more complex and larger than my Ward they have many similarities. What are your plans for the Herbert? I think that 4 jaw chuck would be mighty handy at times, does it also have a 3 jaw. My little Ward gets quite a lot of use making various bits and pieces and as you can see I do enjoy it. I hope to see a video of your Herbert up and running sometime. Regards
@@rohossify
The 4 jaw chuck is coming off it...I'll mount that on the south bend centre lathe...
The Herbert lathe will need a rebuild... but I think it'll be fairly straightforward....
Now, i'm not saying the machine I have dates to WW1 necessarily...but I have seen old photographic plates on Google images showing munitions girls using them at Vickers during WWI....it looks like they were turning fuse caps for shells...
Did you see the other video with the monster radial drill...and all the other stuff...?
I've about 40 machine tools...
Both woodworking and metalworking...
All designed for flat belt drive from overhead lineshafts...
The Armley Mills industrial museum in Leeds has a Ward 2 similar to what you have....
And a Ward 2 came up for sale recently on eBay in I think it was either Melbourne or Brisbane...
It was in Australia...I know that much..
Absolutely outstanding old lathe.
Larry, I agree, I always enjoy using it.
Beautiful machine. Glad you keep it running and working.
Carry, thank you,
That is a great machine for its time!
The Factory where my dad worked had one of those, the coolant pump was like a roots blower, but it was well worn so only produced a dribble, but I guess that happens with age.
what a sweetheart of a lathe
Chis, thank you, yes gives me a lot of pleasure whenever I use it.
Thanks for making this video, very interesting machine and plenty of detail. Regards 👍
We had a Ward capstan the same or very similar, unfortunately I sold it after my father died and our work changed and we had no further use for it.... There's a picture somewhere of me using it when I was just a kid back in the late '60s😊
have a much later 1960's Ward capstan lathe at work....
Thanks for the tour!
Lovely video. It amazes me how cheap these lathes are - people almost give them away - so sad. There are plenty of centre lathes being shipped to India - just can't understand why they don't want capstan lathes - ideal for production.
Great little machine, very versatile, enjoyed your video, nice job on all those parts.
Tony, thank you for your comment, glad you enjoyed it.
I served my apprenticeship at Coventry factory Veasey& sharples as a machine tool fitter we worked on ward 2a 3a many years ago
Awesome video. Fantastically informative
Thank you for your kind comment
Love your lathe, really want a turret for my 9x20. Am saving this video to use some design elements from yours.
Brian, I'm sure you will enjoy the lathe when you get it, drop a line in the comments when you get one, cheers.
She's quite beautiful , . Wish I could afford one for my little shop. Would go good with my flat belt planer .
I'm guessing that a capstan lathe is what we call a turret lathe over this side of the puddle? Of course a turret lathe that size we call a screw machine. I enjoyed using Hardings small screw machines years ago and recently I found out they make a beautiful tool room lathe. Too bad I became an electrician and not a machinist.
Thank you for your interest. The capstan lathe and turret lathes are similar, but differ in that the turret tool head on the capstan lathe is on what is called a ram that's located where the tail stock is located on a centre lathe. A turret lathe differs in having the turret tool head mounted on the saddle. I guess each has its advantage and disadvantage.
Great looking machine
Indeed!
Lovely. Thank you.
Rex, thank you
i really like your lathe and would like to see you make parts with it,thank you for sharing
why were machines always operated with the chuck on the left hand side this was ok for me being left handedbut it must have been difficult for right hands operators
I own a Burchhardt geared lathe from de 50's. I'm looking for an manual operation ou setup info.
why were the chucks always on the left hand side. my self being left handed its seems more difficult for gear speed changing
I have one the same . Not as good condition as this one.
i have a ward 3a capstan lathe that was in my garden when i bought my house! ive started to clean it up and everything seems to be in good order the trouble is i need to get rid of it but would hate to scrap such a piece of history if anyone could help me find it a new home that would be great.
Have you made a video of this lovely machine making a part?
I very much appreciate your interest. Here is a video I did on making a v belt pulley on my little lathe, ua-cam.com/video/QdQb78iIgvM/v-deo.html I hope you enjoy.
Hey I just need to know, how different is a turret lathe from a regular lathe, can I do all types of operations in a turret lathe like in a normal lathe ex threading etc. please post your opinions
Thank you for your interest.
A capstan lathe and a turret lathe are slightly different from each other but while they are similar to each other they are both quite different from a centre lathe. They were made for quickly producing items repetitively and have a capstan or turret where a center lathe has a tailstock. Capstan lathes such as mine don't have a lead screw so mine isn't capable of screw cutting and there isn't a compound slide as per a center lathe so it isn't capable of turning a taper. There are attachments that do enable turning at an angle but they are a bit of a fudge and not really practical for doing one offs. There are die heads (expensive) for screw cutting but if I have to cut a thread (rarely) I do it manually. I think that some of the more elaborate capstan lathes can screw cut but not mine. All that said I do love my lathe, being an old lathe it is extremely sturdy and it's quite capable of producing most things that I need . If one were making low quantity parts where turning threads or machining tapers is constantly required then a center lathe is the go. I hope this answers your question adequately.
I worked in a workshop where screw cutting was available for on a capstan lathe every pitch of screw there was a lead screw but only 10 inches long. Engage anywhere too. And it had a fabulous tool retraction method at the end of the thread too. Where a normal center lathe has a gearbox and a thread dial and you engage and disengage a half nut. Required more concentration and discipline.
@@rohossify that was quite elaborate, thank you very much :)
Are you still using it? And what for?
Nigel, thank you for your interest, yes I still use it quite frequently mainly to make racing car bits and pieces for friends cars.
@@rohossify I have the 2C. They are really great lifetime machines.
+Nidal Sultan
Hi Nidal, would love to see a video of your machine some time. I'm hoping to buy a 2a this year, but it will cause a lot of problems at home 😂😂😂 (with the wife).
@@chriswhitton6756 :D will post a video and let you know. Most probably on instagram; so let me know if you have an account there.
+Nidal Sultan
I do mate, It's just under Chris Whitton I think. I don't post anything.
I'll have a look for you now