old lathe parts

[Vermonter]

Crash, can you post a pic of it? Should be fairly easy to figure out who made it and at least narrow the manufacture date to within a couple of years. LIve or turning centers should be easy as has been mentioned, its only when you need a replacement cast part that things get real dicey. Also take a measurement so you know the length it could turn.

added later-Crash on most tools, esp from that period, there would have been a metal Craftsman logo tag attached to the machine in some prominent spot. The model/serial number would usually be on another metal tag attached out of the way. On my machine the Craftsman logo is front and dead center on the cast base while the other tag is attached in the back. Sometimes the Craftsman logo would be applied with a glue on decal to painted cast but its real rare that the model/serial number wanst attached on a metal tag or plate.