We illustrate a foot lathe constructed by the Britannia Manufacturing
Company, of Colchester, and specially designed for use on board ships.
These lathes, says _Engineering_, are treble geared, in order that
work which cannot usually be done without steam power may be
accomplished by foot. For instance, they will turn a 24 inch wheel or
plate, or take a half-inch cut off a 3 inch shaft, much heavier work
than can ordinarily be done by such tools. They have 6 inch centers,
gaps 7½ inches wide and 6½ inches deep, beds 4 feet 6 inches long by
8¾ inches on the face and 6 inches in depth, and weigh 14 cwt. There
are three speeds on the cone pulley, 9 inches, 6 inches, and 4 inches
in diameter and 1½ inches wide. The gear wheels are 9/16 inch pitch
and 1½ inches wide on face. The steel leading screw is 1½ inches in
diameter by ¼ inch pitch. Smaller sizes are made for torpedo boats and
for places where space is limited.
[Illustration: LATHE FOR USE ON SHIPBOARD.]
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