Maker
William Mills, Clerkenwell, London - To my knowledge, one of only a few
Mills rose engine machines in existence. I have checked with several people
in the US and two sources in the UK who are writing books on ornamental
turning machines (both of whom requested to have pictures of this lathe for
their book). One is the owner of the second known Mills lathe (which was
auctioned at Christies in 1992). He writes, "I am very pleased to hear of
your Mills. I have never heard of another".
Date
According to one auction catalogue, "Wm. Mills was the successor to Bowman
and took over his work in the 1830's, but was at the address Woobridge Road,
Clerkenwell engraved on the machine only in the year 1856, according to the
London Trade Directories of the time. We can only conclude that the engine
dates from that year." The above mention of Bowman is likely actually John
Bower. Turners.org in discussing the Bower rose engine states, "It appears
Bower started business in London between 1827 and 1832 and continued until
1849 when his apprentice William Mills took over." Perhaps a more
authoritative source is Ted Crom's book "Horological Shop Tools 1700-1900"
USA, 1980, which notes, "John Bower, of 13 King Street, Clerkenwell, London,
was a high-class maker of horological wheel-cutting engines, rose engines
and the like. He is known to have been working in the period 1830-1856, and
possibly outside those dates." So even though 1830 was the date placed on
the machine from the previous owner, my research has revealed that 1849 to
1856 is likely to be closer to the actual date of production.
Includes
Slide rest for guilloche work (21" length!)
Original sheep gut belts (2)
Leather belts (2)
Straightline chuck (original)
Cage chuck (modern)
Spindle adaptor (to 1-1/4"x8tpi)
Specs
Center height: 7" (Swing: 14", though has cutout to accommodate larger work)
Main barrel pulley: 12" in diameter
Flywheel: 25.5" in diameter
Straightline chuck: extends 14" above center height
Slide rest: 21" long
Rosette patterns: 14 rosettes containing 13 patterns for lateral motion, 2
patterns for forward motion, and 15 patterns for straightline operation
(with 3 specific only for straightline work).
Table top: 3" mahogany
Frame: mahogany
Bench height: 35"
Overall dimensions: 43"W x 27"D x 48"H
This rare machine is in very nice condition for its age, works perfectly, and is capable of producing professional results - even by today's standards - in wood, metal, ivory, etc. Does round and straight work equally well.
Examples of Straightline Turning
Items with Ornamental Turning
