Birds Eye view of of large lathe department at the Philly Naval Shipyard, circa 2000

[Belmont]

I took this picture at the auction around 2000. Philly Naval Shipyard, auctioned back in 2000. Typical government facility, loaded with good ole American iron. What you’re looking at are 3-72” swing x 70’ centers Betts Bridgeford lathes and a long hone to match.

 

[michiganbuck]

My Grandfather was a lathe operator at the Brookland Navy yard
Now I think of all the things he could have told me about history and lathe work..darn.

 

[morsetaper2]

Wonder where those big lathes went to?

 

[Belmont]

Wonder where those big lathes went to?

I bought the middle one, not sure on the others.

 

[SteveEx30]

Pretty cool pic. Wonder what its like running a monster lathe like that.
Lots of walking back and forth I guess!

 

[Overland]

Pretty cool pic. Wonder what its like running a monster lathe like that.
Lots of walking back and forth I guess!

You'd need to make sure your cut was bang on size. Repeating a cut with a bit more off could take days......
Bob

 

[Yan Wo]

I took this picture at the auction around 2000. Philly Naval Shipyard, auctioned back in 2000. Typical government facility, loaded with good ole American iron. What you’re looking at are 3-72” swing x 70’ centers Betts Bridgeford lathes and a long hone to match.

Just what I need for my home shop! (Only one of them, of course.)