Now I know--I've looked at the "old_lathe" PICs you posted at "Metalworking.com"--why you didn't know what it was. The "W. F. and John Barnes" is cast in raised lettering on the legs--the "4-1/2" is on the brass threading chart which I see that you have. You really need a lot of stuff...and you'll have a rough time being able to find any of it...to make it back into a pre-Humpty-Dumpty "Velocipede" sytle again. Those little leggies you have look definately
"after market" and not OEM.
I can help with some ideas for motorizing it--slow speed since it does have front Babbitt spindle bearings and fractional HP. Mine had been motorized with a 1/4 HP AC motor by the original owner...somewhere back in time.
Alternatively, the mechanism designed by Dave Gingery for his cast aluminum metal lathe would work extremely well (
http://www.lindsaybooks.com ).
You can adjust the split front bearing with appropriately placed shims: metal, celluoid, or paper. Recently, when I dissassembled my front bearing I found the pieces of typing paper that my Dad had used in 1957. I see that you have the non-compound type of cross slide, however, if you look underneath it--between it and the top of the bed--you'll notice that there is a nut: it tightens the cross slide after you swivel it to the angle you want to "cross slide" at. Be careful--use a lot of penetrant--let it soak in--and GENTLE non-metallic mallet tapping to get it to swivel after loosening the nut.
The dual longitudinal feed screws are fun to use as you can reverse feed direction on the fly with the half screw knob. Threading is sort of a PITA, but was easy for someone pedaling as he only had to stop and then pedal in the opposite direction to return the cutter to the start position. If you use a motor you'll have to disengage it, turn it off, wait until it stops, and then using a DPDT reversing swtich, reverse the current direction to the start windings, turn on the power, re-engage the motor belting, and return to the start of the cut.
There isn't a threading dial, so NEVER, disengage the half-nut or you've just "screwed up".
The tool post is relatively easy to fabricate as it is of the characteristic "lantern" style. The tailstock you'll probably need to make also: suggest, again, perhaps one like in Gingery's book--I could make you some dimensioned sketchs of the one on mine if you wish...but, don't expect them tomorrow.
Order Gingery's book first.
