Sidney 20″ Engine Lathe

Sidney 20″ Engine Lathe – Heavy Duty Manual Lathe

Manufacturer: Sidney Machine Tool Co., Sidney, Ohio, USA
Model: 20″ Swing Engine Lathe
Serial No.: 7032 (c. 1942–45, WWII-era production)

What It Does

The Sidney 20″ Engine Lathe is a heavy-duty manual machine tool built for precision turning, facing, threading, boring, and tapering large metal workpieces. Known for rugged American construction, these machines were used extensively in shipyards, railroads, and heavy industry.

Key Specifications

• Swing over bed: 20″
• Swing over cross slide: ~12″
• Distance between centers: ~96″–120″ (approx. 10 ft)
• Spindle bore: ~2″
• Spindle speeds: Approx. 15 – 1200 RPM (geared headstock)
• Motor: 7.5 – 15 HP, 3-phase
• Weight: ~8,000 – 12,000 lbs
• Bed: Extra-wide, heavy ribbed cast iron for rigidity

Functions & Capabilities

• Turning & Facing large shafts, rollers, and housings
• Thread Cutting: 3 – 72 TPI via quick-change gearbox
• Feeds Per Revolution: 0.010″ – 0.722″ (fine finishing to heavy stock removal)
• Boring & Drilling with tailstock support
• Taper Turning using compound or attachment
• Rough & Finish Cuts on heavy steel, forgings, and cast iron

Machine Features

• Heavy cast iron frame for stability & long life
• Hardened and ground bedways
• Quick-change feed & threading gearbox
• Wide spindle speed range
• Manual and power feed controls
• Heavy-duty tailstock for large drills and long work support

Ideal Applications

• Machining large shafts, couplings, bushings, and gears
• Fabrication and repair of oversized industrial parts
• Heavy-duty maintenance & repair work
• Precision turning on long steel or cast iron components

Industries That Use It

• Shipbuilding & Marine Repair
• Railroad & Transportation
• Oil & Gas Equipment
• Steel Mills & Foundries
• Power Generation / Turbine Shops
• General Heavy Machine Shops

Summary Description

This Sidney 20″ Engine Lathe (Serial 7032) is a WWII-era American-built lathe designed for machining large, heavy workpieces with precision. With a 20″ swing, up to 10′ between centers, and a robust quick-change gearbox offering threading from 3 to 72 TPI and feeds from 0.010″ to 0.722″ per revolution, it is equally suited for fine finishing or heavy stock removal. Built for shipyards, railroads, and industrial repair, Sidney lathes are renowned for their strength, durability, and versatility  a workhorse machine for any heavy machining environment.

*****Note on Condition*****

The lathe is in working order. The clutch has come slightly out of adjustment but simply needs to be reset. Once adjusted, the machine operates as intended.