Improvements in Lathes or Apparatus for Turning or Shaping Wood and other Materials.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Lathes or Apparatus for Turning or Shaping Wood
and other Materials.
A communication from W. P. PREBLE, of Havemeyer Building, New York,
U.S.A., Patent Expert.
I, JULIUS HERMANN WEISS, of 9, Endsleigh Street, in the County of London,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Owing to the fact that newel posts are much larger in cross-section than much
of the work expected of polygonal lathes, it is found desirable to provide machines
specially adapted for their manufacture and which are known as newel post
lathes.
Now this invention relates to an improved construction of newel post lathe
that is adapted not only to accomplish in work of this class the work performed
by special constructions of baluster and other lathes for which I intend to obtain
Letters Patent, in so far as concerns the production of the desired geometrical
or polygonal outline, but which by reason of peculiar features of the work-chuck,
enabled more artistic effects to be produced than have heretofore been possible in
this class of work.
The improved newel post lathe comprises a framework upon which the moving
parts are mounted. Journalled in brackets projecting from this framework is
a shaft provided with a driving pulley driven by belting from a suitable source
of power. The shaft carries near its outer end a small gear wheel which meshes
with another gear-wheel mounted upon a second shaft which turns in the outer
end of the upper arm of a quadrant or arm pivoted to the framework. This
quadrant is provided with a handle and carries intermediate or change gear which
is adapted to mesh with a driving gear wheel. This driving gear wheel is
mounted upon a cam-shaft and communicates the desired revolution thereto
whenever the quadrant is lowered sufficiently to bring the intermediate gear in
driving connection therewith. By this means, the cam operating mechanism, the
function of which, as is hereafter explained, is to reciprocate the work carrying
bed, can be readily thrown into or out of gear, as desired.
The character of this reciprocation, as will be readily understood, will depend
primarily upon the number of revolutions of the cam-shaft relatively to the
revolution of the driving shaft; and the gear-wheels, except that on the driving
shaft, constitute a system of interchangeable gear by means of which a single
revolution of the driving shaft is converted into as many revolutions of the cam-
shaft as may be desired.
'As is well known, a revolution of the work for every two, three, four or more
reciprocations of the work carrying bed produces oval, triangular, square or many
sided work, inasmuch as by this arrangement, the work during each revolution
is brought within and taken out of the field of the revolving cutter.

page_text: The work carrying bed is caused to reciprocate in unison with the revolution
of the cam-shaft by motion communicated as follows:-
At the inner end of the cam shaft is a cam which revolves with it and by reason
of its irregular surface, swings the lower ends of rocking arms rigidly attached
to a rock-shaft which is journalled in the framework. Each end of this rock-
shaft is provided with short crank arms connected to the under side of the work-
carrying bed upon which the chuck-carriage is mounted. This bed moves back
and forth upon a track secured to the framework in the manner usual to sliding
beds and will obviously receive one to and fro movement for every revolution
of the cam-shaft. If the cam is symmetrical, the to-and-fro movements of the
work carrying bed will be uniform. Variations in the symmetry of the cam
produce variations in the movement of the bed, so that the forward movement
may differ from the backward movement both in speed and distance.
The
Steadiness in the reciprocating work carrying bed and the devices carried
thereby is secured by the following means. On the rock-shaft are two rock-arms
one of which is loose on the shaft while the other is fixed thereto. Each of these
armis carries a roller which bears upon the changing surface of the cam.
free ends of the arms are connected by a coiled spring. The free end of the fixed
arm is further connected with the work carrying bed by another coiled spring.
In this way, the action of one spring compensates for the action of the other and
thereby, the jar naturally incident to a cam driven rock-shaft motion is taken
up by the springs and not communicated to the work carrying bed.
The work-chuck consists primarily of a chuck and a tail-stock mounted upon
the work carrying bed. These devices may be driven positively in unison, or
the chuck may be driven positively and the tail-stock turn freely in unison there-
with by means of the work which consists of a large piece of wood from which the
newel post is to be turned and which is held between the chuck and tail-stock.
Rotation is communicated to the work without interfering with its reciprocation,
by the following means: On the main driving shaft is a bevel gear wheel that
meshes with another bevel gear wheel fixed upon a worm-shaft journalled in
bearings on the framework of the machine. At the rear, this worm-shaft carries
a worm which turns a worm-wheel, fixed upon a shaft journalled in the frame-
work and carrying near its other end a pinion which meshes with a pinion fixed
on the outer end of a shaft which runs along the work carrying bed through
the chuck and carries a second gear wheel. This second gear wheel communi-
cates motion to the chuck gear wheel through an intermediate gear wheel. These
three wheels are preferably mounted in the body of the chuck. From the body
of the chuck projects a wood holding device secured to the chuck gear wheel
and rotating in unison therewith. This work holding device is formed with an
opening somewhat larger than the work to be held thereby and is provided with
say four, holding screws which may be simple screws threaded through the peri-
phery of the holding device and provided at their inner ends with flanges which
press against the work held thereby. Many other forms of clamping device
for holding the work firmly during its rotation might be substituted, if preferred.
The chuck is preferably made so that it can be opened, the upper half being
hinged to the lower half so that it can be raised by a handle, when a holding
nut is removed, for facilitating the removal and replacing of the work before
and after turning.
A hand wheel is provided at one end of the lathe for feeding the cutter carriage
into and out of position. This wheel is mounted upon a shaft I will call A,
which extends under the cutter carriage or bed plate and is provided with two
pinions which engage racks on the lower side of the cutter carriage plate. By
turning the hand-wheel the said shaft can be turned quickly and thereby, the
cutter carriage can be brought rapidly into or out of position at will.
Devices are provided, however, for bringing about a slower and more delicate
motion of the cutter carriage. These devices comprise a hand-wheel mounted
on a shaft journalled in, the framework and carrying a worm which engages a

page_text: worm-wheel on the shaft A. A small cam or equivalent is provided for locking
or releasing the said worm wheel.
For turning or shaping the work, there is provided a series of revolving cutters
fixed. upon a cutter arbor journalled in boxes mounted upon a cutter carriage
or bed plate which is adapted to move on a track under control of the two hand
wheels just above referred to..
A high speed of revolution for the cutting tool is necessary to secure a market-
able product; and this speed is attained by the direct application of belting to
pulleys secured to the cutter arbor shaft. An adjustable stop is provided for the
cutter bed, so that it cannot be moved beyond a predetermined point.
The operation of the lathe is as follows:-
A piece of material of sufficient size to produce the newel post desired being
inserted between the chuck and tail-stock, the operator starts the machine. The
cutters begin to revolve immediately by means of the pulleys on the cutter arbor
shaft, and the work carrying bed begins to reciprocate, alternately carrying the
revolving work toward and away from the cutters, but not sufficiently to produce
contact therewith. The operator, by means of one or other of the two hand-
wheels last referred to gradually brings the revolving cutters within reach of the
work, the depth of cut depending upon the distance to which he moves the cutter
bed. The configuration of the newel post will depend, as herein before stated,
upon the proportion which the number of to and fro movements communicated
to the work carrying bed by the mechanism hercinbefore described for the pur-
pose, bears to the number of revolutions given to the work by the work rotating
mechanism.
Improvements in Lathes or Apparatus for Turning or Shaping Wood
and other Materials.
A communication from W. P. PREBLE, of Havemeyer Building, New York,
U.S.A., Patent Expert..
I, JULIUS HERMANN WEISS, of 9, Endsleigh Street, in the County of London,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
Owing to the fact that newel posts are much larger in cross-section than much
of the work expected of polygonal lathes, it is found desirable to provide machines
specially adapted for their manufacture and which are known as newel post
lathes.
Now this invention relates to an improved construction of newel post lathe
that is adapted not only to accomplish in work of this class the work performed
by special constructions of baluster and other lathes for which I intend to obtain
Letters l'atent, in so far as concerns the production of the desired geometrical
or polygonal outline, but which by reason of peculiar features of the work-chuck,
enables more artistic effects to be produced than have heretofore been possible in
this class of work.

page_text: In the accompanying illustrative drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation, Fig. 2
a rear elevation and Fig. 3 a plan showing the improved newel post lathe. Figs. 4
and 5 are elevations of the respective ends of the lathe. Fig. 6 is a part cross
section on the line A. B of Fig. 2. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 show the work-chuck in end
elevation, side elevation and longitudinal section respectively and to a larger
scale than in the other figures.
The improved newel post lathe comprises a framework a upon which the moving
parts are mounted. Journalled in brackets b projecting from this frame-work
is a shaft c provided with a driving pulley d driven by belting from a suitable
source of power not shown. The shaft c carries near its outer end a small gear
wheel e which meshes with another gear wheel f mounted upon a shaft g which
is fixed to the frame-work and extends through the outer end of the upper arm
of a quadrant or arm which is mounted to turn on the said shaft and is fixed
to the framework at i. The quadrant is provided with a handle & and carries
intermediate or change gear which is adapted to mesh with a driving gear
wheel m.
This gear wheel m is fixed upon a cam shaft n and communicates the
desired revolution thereto whenever the quadrant h is lowered sufficiently to bring
the intermediate or change gear in driving connection therewith. By this
means, the cam operating mechanism, the function of which, as is hereafter
-explained, is to reciprocate the work carrying bed o, can be readily thrown into
or out of gear as desired.
The character of this reciprocation, as will be readily understood, will depend
primarily upon the number of revolutions of the cam shaft n relatively to the
revolution of the driving shaft c; and the gear wheels, except e, constitute a
system of interchangeable gear by means of which a single revolution of the
driving shaft can be converted into as many revolutions of the cam shaft as may
be desired.
As set forth in the Specification of another application for Letters Patent
No. 11281 of 1898, a revolution of the work for every two, three, four or more
reciprocations of the work carrying bed will produce oval, triangular, square
or many sided work, inasmuch as by this arrangement the work during each
such revolution is brought within and taken out of the field of the revolving
cutter.
The work carrying bed o is caused to reciprocate in unison with the revolution
of the cam shaft n by motion communicated as follows:-
At the inner end of the cam shaft is a camp which revolves with it and by
reason of its irregular surface, swings the lower ends of rocking arms 7 and r
one of which viz. q is rigidly attached to a rock-shafts journalled in the frame-
work a.
Each end of this rock-shaft is provided with a short crank arm & con-
nected by a rod u to the under side of the work carrying bed o upon which the
chuck carriage is mounted. This bed moves back and forth upon a track v
secured to the framework a in the manner usual to sliding beds and will obviously
receive one to and fro movement for every revolution of the cam-shaft n. If
the camp is symmetrical, the to-and-fro movements of the work carrying bed o
will be uniform. Variations in the symmetry of the cam will produce variations
in the movement of the bed, so that the forward movement may differ from the
backward movement.
"
Steadiness in the reciprocating work carrying bed o and the devices carried
thereby may be secured by the following means. The rock arm r is loose on the
shafts, or on the extended boss of the other arm which is fixed to the said
shaft s.
Each of these arms carries a roller w that bears upon the changing sur-
face of the camp.
The free ends of the arms are connected by a coiled spring .
The free end of the fixed arm 7 is further connected with the fixed bed Y
carrying the work carrying bed o, by another coiled spring z. In this way, the
action of one spring compensates for the action of the other and thereby the
jar naturally incident to a cam driven rock-shaft motion is taken up by the
springs and not communicated to the work carrying bed.

page_text: The work-chuck consists primarily of a chuck 1 and a tail-stock 2 mounted
upon the work carrying bed o. These devices may be driven positively in unison,
or the chuck 1 may be driven positively and the tail-stock 2 be turned freely in
unison therewith by means of the work 3 which consists of a large piece of wood
from which the newel post is to be turned and which is held between the chuck
and tail-stock.
Rotation is communicated to the work without interfering with its reciproca-
tion, by the following means:-On the main driving shaft c is a bevel gear
wheel 4 that meshes with another bevel gear wheel 5 fixed upon a worm-shaft 6
journaled in bearings 7 one of which is on the framework a of the machine and
the other on the work carrying bed o. At the front, this worm-shaft carries
a worm 8 which turns a worm-wheel 9 fixed upon a shaft 10 journalled in the work
carrying bed o and carrying near its other end a pinion 11 which meshes with
a pinion 12 fixed on the outer end of a shaft 13 which runs along the work
carrying bed o through the chuck 1 and tail stock 2 and carries a gear wheel 14,
which communicates motion to the chuck gear wheel 15 through an intermediate
gear wheel 16. These three wheels 14, 15 and 16 are preferably mounted in the
body of the chuck as shown in Fig. 9. From the body of the chuck projects a
wood holding device 17 secured to the chuck gear wheel 15 and rotating in unison
therewith. This work holding device is formed with an opening somewhat larger
than the work to be held thereby and is provided with, say four, holding screws 18
which may be simple screws threaded through the periphery of the holding device
and provided at their inner ends with flanges 19 which press against the work 3
held between them. Many other forms of clamping device for holding the work
firmly during its rotation might be substituted, if preferred. The tail stock 2
in the example shown, is constructed and operated in a similar manner to the
chuck 1.
The chuck and tail stock are preferably each made so that it can be opened,
the upper front half being hinged at 20 to the lower and rear half so that it can
be raised by a handle 21, when a holding nut 22 is removed, for facilitating the
putting of the work 3 with holding device 17 and gear wheels 15, in the chuck and
tail stock before turning, and the removal thereof after turning.
A hand wheel 23 is provided at one end of the lathe for feeding the cutter
carriage 23 into and out of position. The wheel is mounted upon a shaft 24,
which extends under the cutter carriage or bed plate 23 and is provided with two
pinions 25 which engage racks 26 on the lower side of the cutter carriage or bed
plate. By turning the hand-wheel 23, the said shaft can be turned quickly and
thereby the cutter carriage can be brought rapidly into or out of position at will.
Devices are provided, however, whereby a slower and more delicate motion
of the cutter carriage can be obtained when desired. These devices comprise a
hand-wheel 27 fixed on a shaft 28 journalled in the framework and carrying a
worm 29 which engages a worm-wheel 30 loose on the shaft 24. A wedge operated
by a screw 31, or equivalent means, is provided for locking the said worm wheel
to or releasing it from a wheel 32 fast on the shaft 24.
For turning or shaping the work, there is provided a series of revolving cutters
carried by cutter holders 33 fixed upon a cutter arbor 34 journalled in boxes 35
mounted upon the cutter carriage or bed plate 23 which is adapted to move on a
track 36 under control of the two hand wheels 20 and 27.
A high speed of revolution for the cutting tool is necessary to secure a market-
able product: this speed is attained by the direct application of belting to
pulleys 37 secured to the cutter arbor 34. An adjustable stop 38 is provided for
the cutter bed so that it cannot be moved beyond a predetermined point.
The operation of the lathe is as follows:
A piece 3 of material of sufficient size to produce the newel post desired being
inserted within the chuck 1 and tail-stock 2, the operator starts the machine. The
cutters begin to revolve immediately by means of the pulleys 37 on the cutter
arbor 34, and the work carrying bed o begins to reciprocate, alternately carrying

page_text: the revolving work 3 toward and away from the cutters but not sufficiently to
produce contact therewith. The operator, by means of one or other of the two
hand-wheels 23 or 27 gradually brings the revolving cutters within reach of the
work, the depth of cut depending upon the distance to which he moves the cutter
carriage or bed plate 23. The configuration of the newel post in cross section
will depend, as herein before stated, upon the proportion which the number of to
and fro movements communicated to the work carrying bed o from the shaft c
by the mechanism hereinbefore described for the purpose, bears to the number of
revolutions given to the work from the said shaft a by the work rotating
mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
:
1. A lathe for turning newel posts comprising a reciprocating work-carrying
bed, means for rotating the work without interfering with its reciprocation,
means for imparting to the work carrying bed a reciprocation which bears any
desired ratio to the revolution of the work, revolving cutters and their operating
mechanism, and means for inserting the work in the work carrying chuck, holding
the same therein, and removing the same therefrom, substantially as described.
2. The improved newel post lathe constructed, arranged and operating sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in the drawings
annexed.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.