The Ward Production plain-turning lathe No. 94/98 EC continued the firm's tradition of manufacturing fine-quality small lathes. The swing over the bed was 9" and the distance between centres 15". It was made in two versions which differed only in their collet capacity and speed ranges: the Model 94 EC took collets with a maximum bore size of  11/16", whilst the Large-spindle Model 98 EC accepted ones with a capacity up to 21/4" - a significant difference. When new the Model 94 could be ordered with a spindle to accept either the classic Wade No.8 collet, or the well-known and almost standard-issue 5C Type. The Wade collet was longer - and had a stronger, more reliable buttress-form thread - but if your shop was already fitted out with several sets of the 5C Type, it was obvious which was going to be the more sensible choice.
Both lathes were fitted with the same variable-speed drive unit powered by a 1.5 hp motor; it ran the Model 94 spindle at speeds from 140 to 3500 rpm and that of the Model 98 from 80 to 2000 rpm.
The tailstock barrel had a No. 2 Morse taper and 3.5" of travel.
Two special models, the 94 VR and 94 VS, set up for Finishing or Second-operation work, were also produced. These were mechanically identical to the other models in the range but employed a simplified drive system. The VR retained push-button speed control, but had a 2:1 high/low speed ratio in place of the helically-geared electric-clutch machine's 5:1 - and was fitted with a hand-operated clutch and brake activated by a lever protruding through the front face of the stand - immediately in line with the headstock. The even cheaper VS lost the high/low ratio provision, and had a spindle-speed range from 300 to 300 rpm.
The drive system of the lathe was designed to allow the operator to vary the speed instantly by pushing buttons marked Slower and  Faster. The spindle, which could be stopped within 0.25 seconds, was controlled through the action of expanding and contracting (variable pitch) pulleys which drove on the side faces of a Gilmer Timing Belt of the "cogged" pattern. The drive from the pulleys was directed into a box containing three "countershafts" on which were mounted heat-treated and shaved helical gears, one double electric clutch for low spindle speeds (in a ratio of 5:1 to the higher speeds) and a single electrical clutch for reverse. Because the motor ran at constant speed, in one direction, it was claimed that cooler running and greater reliability could be expected.
The mechanism within the box (the helical gears ran in an oil bath) was controlled from a lever on the front face of the headstock and the spindle could be stopped, started and reversed without stopping the motor.
The net result of this relatively complicated drive was that, for any setting of the variable speed drive, a clutch could instantly engage either the higher or lower speed range and the spindle could be instantly stopped, or reversed. The operator thus had complete and immediate control of the spindle speed and could set it to the optimum figure for the particular machining operation being undertaken - and then instantly change it again should the next operation required it.
The clutches which performed the speed changes were of the electro-mechanical type (a similar design was used on the slightly larger English  Raglan Five-inch capstan lathe) and made by the I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company of Philadelphia. They were amazingly compact units, smaller for a given torque rating than a mechanical clutch, with the largest being only 3.74" in diameter and 1.43" long and capable of handling a torque rating of 36 lb-ft (48.8 Nm). The clutches for the Wade were amongst the smallest of a wide range of sizes made by I-T-E and, not only were they used in a variety of other machine tools, but found numerous applications in conveyor systems, welders, test equipment, steel mills and process machinery.
The standard collet closer supplied with the lathe was a three-finger, ball-bearing type, ruggedly built and with fine adjustment of the collet-closing range by means of a large handwheel.
The flame-hardened and ground bed was massively built, fastened to the stand at three points - and of very deep section; it was of traditional "Bench" precision-lathe cross section, having two symmetrically bevelled sides on the top surface which ensured that the compound slide rest, turret, tailstock and other accessories were always maintained in perfect alignment by a compressive clamping force.
A small range of accessories was available to further extend the capabilities of the lathe.

Wade lathe No. 94 E.C fitted as a precision plain-turning lathe with a very robust compound slide rest and a conventional tailstock.

Wade No. 94 stand showing the substantial variable-speed drive unit in the left-hand compartment, coolant pump in the centre on a hinge-out door and a collet storage rack (made of aluminium) mounted on the inside face of the right-hand door.
The stand was constructed from heavy-gauge sheet metal, reinforced and welded for rigidity and built into the top was a removable chip drawer - on ball-bearing runners.

Headstock detail showing the two push buttons by which the spindle speed could be increased or decreased and the face-mounted control handle for operating the electrical clutches which could selected both the high and low speed ranges, and reverse, without stopping the motor.
Later lathes had a headstock consul with six push buttons.

Wade described the No. 94 Compound Slide as their "Super Slide Rest". Unlike the same type unit fitted to their Precision Bench Lathe and No. 8A Screwcutting lathes, the cross slide base was fully covered and the micrometer dials - at last on a precision bench lathe of any make - pleasingly large.

The Wade 94 Headstock Spindle ran in precision, anti-friction, heavy-duty, double-row, cylindrical roller SKF bearings set under a light preload.
The thrust load was taken on a matched pair of angular contact races mounted at the rear of the spindle.
The spindle was made from an SAE 52100 steel forging, of the same type of steel as used in the manufacture of ball bearings. It was hardened to approximately 60 to 62 Rockwell C on the bearing surfaces and then ground and fitted to master gauges.
The nose fitting was beautifully made and involved a clamping ring to draw the faceplate or chuck up against a taper and the flat face of the spindle end.