PRYIBIL MACHINE CO.
NEW YORK, N.Y.
NEW YORK, N.Y.
I found this lathe manufactured by the Pryibil Machine Co. of New York City about 25 years ago. The Pryibil Machine Co.
operated in lower Manhattan starting in about 1850.
Massive lathes, such as this, were primarily used in the pattern making trade. Patterns of all kinds were used in the fabrication
of cast metal. It is driven by leather belts which attach to a motor drive mounted to the back of the machine. This lathe was
designed to be used in a factory that had power shafts mounted on the ceiling and were powered by water,steam or one large
electric motor. The motor drive, which was not made by Pryibil, allowed the lathe to use its own electric motor. I have a
Oneway Manufacturing 9" faceplate mounted on the lathe, and had the adapter made between the faceplate and the 1 3/4"
threads on the spindle. I can turn 26" pedestal table tops on the lathe with no vibration. Because there is no provision for
outboard turning this is the limit for my table tops. Over the years I have turned some huge pieces of wet wood on this machine
with no trouble at all. I believe that the lathe dates from the early 1900's and weighs about 2000 pounds. The few times I had to
move this machine, I had to totally take it apart. It took four men to lift the cast iron I-beam that the solid cast iron head and tail
stock are mounted on.
operated in lower Manhattan starting in about 1850.
Massive lathes, such as this, were primarily used in the pattern making trade. Patterns of all kinds were used in the fabrication
of cast metal. It is driven by leather belts which attach to a motor drive mounted to the back of the machine. This lathe was
designed to be used in a factory that had power shafts mounted on the ceiling and were powered by water,steam or one large
electric motor. The motor drive, which was not made by Pryibil, allowed the lathe to use its own electric motor. I have a
Oneway Manufacturing 9" faceplate mounted on the lathe, and had the adapter made between the faceplate and the 1 3/4"
threads on the spindle. I can turn 26" pedestal table tops on the lathe with no vibration. Because there is no provision for
outboard turning this is the limit for my table tops. Over the years I have turned some huge pieces of wet wood on this machine
with no trouble at all. I believe that the lathe dates from the early 1900's and weighs about 2000 pounds. The few times I had to
move this machine, I had to totally take it apart. It took four men to lift the cast iron I-beam that the solid cast iron head and tail
stock are mounted on.
On the right is an ad from the 1870's, with a picture
at the bottom, of a lathe much like mine.
at the bottom, of a lathe much like mine.
Here is a 26" chestnut pedestal table
top which has just been turned.
top which has just been turned.
