G. Plant Straight Line Engine Turning Guilloche Lathe

For Sale G. Plant Straight Line Engine Turning Guilloche Lathe

This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a Plant Straight Line Engine Turning Guilloche Lathe. The lathe is a magnificent later example, in excellent condition, and comes with a huge range of tooling, workholding, and pattern bars.

All cross slides and ways move freely about their lead screws and show only minor wear. The vertical slide (around 12” travel) is a joy to operate and permits cutting against the tool and guide when the work is held in one of the many workholding chucks included. The advancing ratchet and pawl on the tool carriage slide (travel 8”) show some wear but are usable. A replacement hasn’t been required as yet for the infrequent, light duty work I have undertaken. In any case, the slide can be set independently of their engagement by hand.

The pattern bars (various makers, up to 15” in size and many original G. Plant) are varied and offer a huge range of possibilities for engraving. Many of the chucks can be independently offset. All can be rotated about the centre of the work via a worm-driven, stepped adjustment of the spindle nose, enabling complex moire patterning. Some of the accessories are extremely rare, including a beautiful Link Chuck and Pen Chuck. All accessories are usable with Plant Rose Engines should any prospective buyers already own one.

A non-exhaustive list of the tooling is shown below but please refer to the photographs for a detailed inventory of all that is included.

• Goniostat (indispensable for tool sharpening)
• Pen Chuck (5” between centres, possible up to 6” with custom chucking)
• Link Chuck (independent jaws and offsetable)
• 5 Adjustable 9” Two-Jaw Independent Chucks (various condition including one rare offsetable chuck, one set of extension jaws)
• 1 Box Chuck
• 2 Three Jaw Chucks (reversible jaws)
• 4 Self Centering Chucks (allow for soft jaws)
• 2 Tins of Guides, mostly London, two Birmingham
• Various Rubbers
• Lots of tool steel
• Spare belt guide wheel

All in all, a truly comprehensive machine that will be ideal for dial making, case making, jewellery making, box decoration, pen barrel decoration and the like.

Buyer collects; help with loading will be provided. A tail-lift will be required as the lathe casting is very heavy. It can be dismantled into sections. Combined weight is ~400kg.

This is a private sale and only serious offers that reflect the condition of the lathe and its rarity will be considered.

Please contact William at plantenginelathe@proton.me stating your interest and best offer. Once a price is agreed, payment is to be made by bank transfer in advance of collection.