Mind interpreting mine for me? Mine is an 8187-RN 10L x 4 1/2 102 headstock 102 DIC 102-5C 100 for most everything else. 13-3/4" spindle. SP. Hole 1-3 It was sent to the Ruritan, NJ Arsenal 10/14/41, as a toolroom lathe, so 80 years ago yesterday. I got two 5C collet closers with it, and both regular and turret tailstocks, as well as a taper attachment. It lived in a leaky barn for five years after Bill Hinkle got it, and he sold it to me because he was about the same age as the lathe, and didn't think he was going to get to restore it himself. He didn't get to see me restore it, either. COVID-19 interrupted us both. Thanks for whatever you can tell me.

Bill in OKC

William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion,
butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance
accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders,
give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new
problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight
efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
LAZARUS LONG (Robert A. Heinlein)

I've attached a copy of my serial number card, as well, so we can compare them, I note that Tony's has the same 102-5C for the DIC, as well, though his spindle is slightly different, at 13=28/32 or maybe that's a 25/32nds. It was 1941, and there was a war on. that might not have been significant at the time, though it would flunk a part in my class. ;) I do have the 2-1/4-8 spindle nose, as well.

I guess I got lucky on the parts with mine, in most ways, though I have the single tumbler gearbox, and I think Tony's is a double tumbler. The handle is broken off mine, but the broken piece is there so can be brazed back on, and I have the skills and tools to do that. I also have an apparently complete spare single tumbler gear box. I was told that Bill H hunted for a while to get the Turret tailstock, so I know it isn't original with my lathe, but it's possible most of the rest of the stuff is. Though there is that spare 5C collet closer, too. ;) I got it for $950 as is, on one of the more modern (like 1939) steel-tubing benches. It's missing two of the drawers, so one of these days I'll be venturing back into the sheet-metal working realm. Making drawers instead of armour will be something new and different for me. ;)

Bill in OKC

William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)


A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion,
butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance
accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders,
give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new
problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight
efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
LAZARUS LONG (Robert A. Heinlein)

Bill, my machine is definitely a single tumbler machine. I have measured nearly 0.0015" wear on the ways near the headstock but I can live with that. There are no dents or dings anywhere on the ways. I have to modify the full-length chip guard on the rear to give clearance to fit the taper attachment. I took a lot of attachments off it to get the weight down for the move to our current location 4 years back. Did the move - no drama, but the house has caused a lot of drama through poor construction, so haven't yet reassembled the lathe as there may be another move coming up. We shall see.

Cheers, Tony.

Bill, I was also pleasantly surprised to see the Gosiger Tool Co is still operational - listed on my Serial Card as the original agent. I spent a bit of time on their website tonight.

Cheers, Tony