revtothelimit - motorbike forum

So got given a lathe. No idea on lathes and one is a box of bits. Can't find any info on it as it pre dates life as we know it. I believe it's 1920's as the only thing I can find relating to the maker is one leaflet. It's a Carson made in Halifax Canada.
No idea if it's all there think it might be missing the feet. If anyone knows anything about it or could help with info it would be very much appreciated. Can post a photo if someone can tell me how. Astonishing to find the motor made by Canadian general electric company actually works all 1)4 HP of it. The lathe is very rusty but everything moves just needs a good clean. My citric acid and baking soda just arrived so it will be getting a derust bath shortly.
Looks very similar to the Carson one on this Page
https://www.lathes.co.uk/carson/

Good fortunes with the rust removal, I’ve just finished ridding my jointer from surface rust, mostly with wet & dry lubicated with WD40, but I did the cutter block with Jenolite Rust Remover which appeared to do a good job although the worst third still stands out compared to the others.

It would be good to see photos of your progress

So turns out the lathe was a bitsa head and tail stocks of a prism lathe and bits and pieces cobbled together. I donated it to a chap who can use some of the parts gear wheels etc. For rust cleaning I found a recipe on YouTube which worked extremely well. 1L water 100g citric acid 63g of baking soda after 45 minutes and a swipe with a wire brush everything cleaned up like new.
Hopefully the chap who took it can get some use out of the parts

maccecht wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2025 2:39 pm For rust cleaning I found a recipe on YouTube which worked extremely well. 1L water 100g citric acid 63g of baking soda after 45 minutes and a swipe with a wire brush everything cleaned up like new.

Is that a case of adding the Baking Soda 45minutes after you've made the citric mix, or do you leave the complete solution on for 45 minutes before wire brushing?

mangocrazy wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2025 4:04 pm

maccecht wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2025 2:39 pm For rust cleaning I found a recipe on YouTube which worked extremely well. 1L water 100g citric acid 63g of baking soda after 45 minutes and a swipe with a wire brush everything cleaned up like new.

Is that a case of adding the Baking Soda 45minutes after you've made the citric mix, or do you leave the complete solution on for 45 minutes before wire brushing?

Just mix it up it fizzes quite nicely then chuck your bits in for 45 minutes. It is corrosive so don't leave them in too long not overnight anyway. Heavier rust I gave it an hour.