New patternmaking lathe

[Jeff Singleton]

Well it's from 1968 but it is new to me. The vitals are: Zimmermann DZ2000, made in West Germany, 32" swing over bed, remove the gap block and the swing is 54". Between centers is around 8', 9' bed and 11 1/2' total lenght, 6 1/2hp, two speed motor with the most complicated starter I have ever seen, made by AEG, reversing, with a range of 0-1000 rpm and 1000-2000rpm with a VDO tach that register 0-2000 in forward and reverse. The tach is mechanical and is not working, need help, anyone know VDO tachs or someone to repair this one? Every handwheel has a degree dial and there are 6 stop buttons and 1 on button. The stops are, start button, hit once to start and again to stop. The lever on the headstock is the brake, when you push it towards the tailstock it activates a stop switch inside the headstock, there is a stop button at the end of the bed and there is also a remote stop with a 25' cord so you can use it on the outboard side or anywhere. There are two switches near the bottom of the headstock, one is a motor on/off switch and the other is to change the motor speed from low to high and yes they had to throw an off position on that switch. The compound is different then an Oliver in that it has one more axis and is much heavier and more reach. The tailstock pivots so you can turn tapers with the compound, the tailstock throw is half as long as my old Oliver 20B. The tool rest base is really long to accomidate the 54" swing. The spindle is 3" diameter or metric equivelent and there is a degree dial there also.The spindle also has an extension of 8", with it on you can move the compound or tool rest behind the faceplate and turn from the backside. The faceplates on the floor are 16", 26", 36", and a solid steel 24" with slots that weighs 65 lbs. by itself. The lathe weighs in at around 2 tons and the lathe rests on cast steel platforms, one under the headstock and one under the end of the bed, they are 4" thick and if I did the math right the 30"x30"x4" headstock platform weighs 1029 lbs. This lathe was not at all fun to move. I sold my Oliver 20B to get this and as much as I loved my Oliver the Zimmeramnn is bigger, longer, and heavier and just as welcome in my shop as the Oliver was. I grew up using a Oliver 26 so a lathe this size is average to me. There is also an outboard floorplate, that is not in the 2 ton weight, that holds a column stand that you attach the compound to so you can use the compound outboard as well, the floorstand is not visible. When turning outboard you reverse the spindle direction and turn on the left as you would inboard. Faceplates fit either side and they have locking collars so a heavy brake or God forbid a nasty grab will not unscrew the faceplates. The spindle and tailstock tapers are number 4. The lathe aslo has a bed shelf to hold tool, coffee, or your lunch. You can see some of the original cutters sitting on the compound and the long boring bar that holds all the cutters, the reach of the bar is unreal, solid 1 1/8"x 1 1/8" bar about 16" long. I have a couple patterns to turn and quite a few walnut stumps that I want to make some lamp base out of. If anyone has ever seen a Zimmermann lathe let me know. There is a much smaller Zimm at another pattern shop in Akron, same as mine but much smaller, just shrunk down. Let me know what evryone think and if anyone is interested in seeing it.

Jeff Singleton
Singleton's Woodworking & Pattern Works
Barberton, OH:rolleyes:

[Jim Becker]

Wow! That's a hunk o' iron, Jeff. It looks like it's in wonderful condition, too. Congrats on a nice addition to your shop.

[Brad Schmid]

Wow Jeff, that is awesome. Congrats!

[John Miliunas]

Hmmmm...Just a bit overkill for turning pens, ain't it, Jeff???:confused: OTOH, you'll have plenty of stability for turning them big Euro style ones! :D Man, that is really one honkin' machine! Can't wait to see that 54" salad bowl!!! Congrats! Awesome unit!:) :cool:

[Bernie Weishapl]

WOW!!:eek: That is one hunk of iron. Ok I want to see one those big turkey platters. That is one awesome piece of machinery.

[Andy Hoyt]

Iron envy, I tell ya. Got it wicked bad.

[Jim Dunn]

And Andy, you with the "white wire"

Jeff I really gotta agree with Andy on this one, much to my chagrine.

[Ernie Nyvall]

Wow!! Congrats Jeff. That aught to do.

Ernie

[Earl Eyre]

You certainly will be able to turn a big bowl! Looks wonderful. Have you tried it yet? Smooth as silk?

Earl

[Alan Turner]

Zimmermann of W. Germany made woodworking tools almost exclusively for hte patttern trade, I am told. They are still in business, but make only mills, CNC's, and the like, I believe. There is a US rep. in Southern California, and perhaps if you track him down he can assist with the Tachometer.

My used tool dealer says that Zimmermann tools are fabulous, and the several I have seen are just that. I have their 800 mm bandsaw and would not trade it for anything. The US rep says the company will still service it. I have also seen their profile sanders,a nd double disk sanders. Very good machining, and pretty simple, straightforward designs. Only becuase it was so inexpensive, I also bought a used overarm router that is a Zimmermann, but have not used it yet. I tried to get a manual for it but could not. The US rep., an old pattermaker himself, offered to buy it from me, but I declined, at least so far.

Have fun with your new toy.

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

My goodness Jeff, you can turn the whole world with that machine!

VERY nice, I do not envy you moving it in there!

Is the floor strong enough? :eek: :D

I think you part of town might have settled a bit since you brought that bad boy home!!

54" swing, man the amount of ice cream you could get in that bowl boggles the mind!!:D

One thing about the tach, if it is mechanical, I bet you could find another mechanical tach and make it work.

Do you want to keep it all stock?

You could retrofit a digital one?

Again, that is one nice BIG piece of iron!

Cheers!

[Karl Laustrup]

WOW! That's one big honkin chunk o' iron. I bet that it'll be sweet turning on that puppy.

Hey Ken, that's your next lathe!! :eek: :D Just think of the "Salmon Bonker" you'll be able to turn with that.

Karl

[John Hart]

WOW! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! It would look mighty nice in my new shop. Only half of it would fit in my current shop though. Very nice!

[Jim Ketron]

:eek: :eek: :eek: Monster Lathe!
Congrats on that big piece of machinery.

[Sparky Paessler]

:eek: Now that is one monster lathe!! I think you win!

[Chris Giles]

Jeff,
Now that is one beautiful old lathe! One could definitley build a business around fine machine like that. Any chance the one it replaced is available?

[Mike Wilkins]

Very nice find. You should not have any problems with this machine moving around under the weight of a heavy tree stump turning around.
As for info and possible service. I just read in WoodShop News that the company that makes this machine, Zimmerman, is now in the process of marketing their lathes in the US through the Martin Woodworking machinery company out of Charlotte, NC. These are mostly pattern lathes used for making multiples such as balusters and newel posts.
Give them a call and see if they can help.
Good luck and have fun.

[Kurt Forbes]

I shudder to think how far you would be launched if you had a catch with that puppy.
With that much power please be extra safe. It could be deadly.

Otherwise WOW awesome lathe

[Bart Leetch]

You'd like to take the world for a spin in 2 point harmony & tilt the tail stock to keep the seasons & make sure of gravity.:D

[Tom Jones III]

So, you never mentioned are you going to build a table underneath and add some sand bags? That is a huge lathe! Those faceplates crack me up, they are just enormous.

What is a lathe like that commonly used for? I assume by the name and the reference you made about patterns that it is used to duplicate parts?

[Rich Stewart]

JUMPIN' JEHOSEPHAT!!! Whatta lathe!!

[tod evans]

i like it jeff! pretty cool....02 tod

[Bruce Page]

Very nice!

[Jeff Singleton]

Wow, what great responces, you all are way to kind. I will be looking for a lot of turning advice when it comes to turkey platters and hot tubs and you guys are the ones to ask. As a patternmaker I really don't get to make any neat or fun stuff or for myself or family. Pattern turning is very different then decorative turning, dimensions must be held and there is no tolerance and you have to make two piece patterns that match up with no difference in diameters. It will be fun to forget about dimensions and draft and turn something that I actually know what it is. In patternmaking you make a small piece of a much bigger picture so you never really know what you are making or what the final application is. I really doubt that I will ever find anything to fit this lathe such a Stronghold chuck or even a steady rest, let alone faceplates. I will make a pattern for a very small faceplate and have it machined to fit a chuck. As someone mentioned it is a slight overkill for pens and pulls but who knows someone might want a 8' pen 2' in diameter. This lathe came out of the pattern shop that I used to work at so there had to be a screwy deal to get it. He listed it on ebay and got no bids, I called him the next day and went in to see it. We talked for 3 hour about everything and anything. I ask how much, he said what did I want to pay for it. I made him a offer and he took it and then he said he was downsizing his machine inventory. He was moving his shop south and wanted smaller stuff, I mentioned I had a Rockwell wedgebed planer and a Porter "B" 12" jointer for sale. I rebuilt both and wanted to sell them. He said lets trade. I told him what I am asking for my two machines and he offered me the lathe, a Master 24" disc sander and a 20" State disc sander. We both walked away with a very fair deal. I need to sell the State and the Master has been sold to a friend because no one should have two Masters in a one man shop. I put my beloved Oliver 20B on woodweb and received at least 35 responces in email form and it sold very quickly. One sad note, when I was at the patternshop he said he sold the Oliver 26 lathe that I basically grew up turning on. I had over 3000 hours turning on that bueatiful 9000 lb. beast. I was a great friend and only bit me a couple times and scared me a few more. Talk about a lathe with capacities, that baby had them. If I can find some pic's of what I turn on the 26 I will post them. Thanks to everyone who posted a responce.

Sincerely,
Jeff Singleton:rolleyes:

[Joe Melton]

Jeff, would you make a video of a 54" bowl bouncing around the room?:)
Joe