For all you OLD machine afficionados

[Nancy Laird]

As part of our vacation, we are touring the Western slope in Colorado, and came across Grand Mesa today - 10,800-plus feet at the summit. On the south side of the Mesa is a little town of Cedaredge, which contains a replica town called Pioneer Town. The blacksmith shop contains these two machines, which I thought would be of considerable interest to you Creekers:

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This lathe has to be at least 10 feet long! I couldn't get close enough to measure, but I think those are 2x12s on the floor in front of it.

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Look at the size of the bit in this drill press! It's probably 1-1/4" or more.

Both are powered by a belt drive with an electric motor driving it. It was fascinating.

Nancy

[Andrew Williams]

imagine spending the day handplaning boards to thickness at 10,000 feet elevation!

[Jude Kingery]

Nancy,

That's a neat post and pictures/history of the lathe and drill press. Also am glad you're enjoying the western slope - you did it up right - most folks just go to the front range. There is much to enjoy in Colorado once you get onto the western slope. Have a good time and safe travels!

Jude