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The lathe below, a Sebastian 15" (circa 1910 - 1926) was described by the makers as the Utility School, Garage and Repair-shop Lathe. It was the Company's cheapest lathe and, in its basic form, lacked a compound slide rest, the tailstock did not set over for taper turning and there was no gap in the bed. However, a friction-type countershaft unit was included in the price as well as a tool post, faceplate, drive plate, changewheels for screwcutting and a small tool kit.
Although this model was reduced to the fundamentals required for a useable, screwcutting centre (engine) lathe it was still reasonably specified. It had a true swing of 15.25", was properly backgeared and screwcutting was through a conventional tumble-reverse mechanism which allowed both left and right-hand powered movement to the carriage by altering the position of just one lever. As standard it accepted 40" between centres, but any capacity could be ordered, in foot intervals, up to a maximum of 88" - when it is hoped that a central bed support was included ……
The spindle, which ran in white-metal bearings, had a useful 15/8" hole and a No.3 Morse taper centre.
Some models appear to have had the leadscrew clasp-nut lever on the right-hand side of the apron, whilst on others it was positioned to the left.
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