New Machine for the Shop: Rivett 1020S Tool Room Lathe

[@TomokosEnterprize]

5 years later, oh how I would love to have this old beauty in my shop. Great set of tooling and all the right things that come with it. Thanks Keith. Nice post !

[@michaelflood6774]

I worked on a Rivett for two years rebuilding Transmission parts. I made fixtures and jigs. I even offset a lathe fixture to hold pumps so I could face the rotor area. Then skim cut the face. Then touch off a tool post grinder that was mounted directly to the cross slide. The finish on the face of the pumps looked Blanchard ground. Yay great tool room lathe. This one had droop in it also.

[@carlislesmachineshop431]

Hi Keith , My name is Bob an I am the proud owner of a 1020S also serial 123 date 1949 it is a great machine, I was told mine came from the Navy also it has a lot of accessories and special cabinet for storage.

[@aserta]

If it has its own cabinet, then it's likely it did. Since they had to pack those tight.

[@carlislesmachineshop431]

@@aserta about 2 ft square 4 ft tall rotary collet index in top fully loaded with rivett tooling.

[@southjerseysound7340]

Just about every ship in the Navy had a machine shop,so thanks to them there are tons of ex Navy machines out there. Most of my HS metal shop was purchased from Philly Navy yard and I was lucky enough to go to one of the sales.

[@Larry1942Will]

I was based on an aircraft carrier. Our machine shop had huge equipment. I'm sure they built the carrier around it. Kieth, I don't think leveling is going to make any difference to a machine with that much iron. My PM1440HD has dials on the carriage and tail stock, metric/Imperial but not as easy to read as your machine.

[@Billdonley]

I’ve been using my Rivett 1020S for ten plus years. I gather a large set of Rivett collets for this lathe and built a manual draw bar. I also installed a DRO. This machine keeps running perfectly. Unlike my Harding HLV this large lathe can remove stock quickly with ease then take a final finish pass and hit the mark. To operate this lathe you use the push buttons to start stop or reverse. The lower to buttons raise or lower spindle rpm. The open belt and back gear lever is what you to start or stop the spindle. You never turn the motor on to control the spindle. The motor runs with or without the spindle turning.

[@petero2693]

These tools are works of art. The precision.. the ability to fabricate.. old school tricks...

[@davecarl2312]

Hi Keith, I'm very fortunate to own a 1954 1020 S. I've operated several lathes and none of them comes close to the dead nuts accuracy of the Rivet. The machine was purchased new by DuPont for the Experimental Station. (the machine was never used!) I purchase the machine from a tool maker that worked at DuPont his entire career. Every so often DuPont management would offer. Old or obsolete tooling and equipment to employees as a silent auction. That is how the gentleman came to own the machine. To the best of my knowledge the machine has every option available for the model. Yes it is my Pride and Joy. If u still need info on the tachometer I'd be happy to look thru my manuals for info and if necessary could open mine up to see what's involved. From your video it loos like a typical speedometer cable set up. If I can help let me know. Dave

[@neilyeag]

Keith I am always amazed at your incredible in depth knowledge of all of these different machines. I get it that someone can become very familiar with one or two machines because of years of using it ect. But it seems that no matter what it is, you just seem to always have a complete command of all aspects of the machine. I find all of your content fascinating and so well presented.

[@calevel]

Are you running a shelter to home good ole neglected and unappreciated great piece of machinery? now I call that a noble and giving heart. Thumbs way up Sir!!

[@Phantomthecat]

Hi, my name’s Keith and I have a Lathe problem.... ‘Hi Keith!’.

[@bradlilly8603]

LOA lathe owners anonymous.

[@Phantomthecat]

Brad Lilly it’s a bad disease - incurable I think. I just bought another one myself today - 20” swing over bed and 60” between centres. Only wanted one slightly larger than my home workshop lathe but this one followed me home. No idea where I’m going to put it yet either as I’ve got a mill coming too! 😇

[@neillsmart213]

Iron deficiency :)

[@hilltopmachineworks2131]

Craigslist is evil and forces you to buy more.......:)

[@andypughtube]

I have the same problem, to the extent that my Rivett 608 has to live on my living room, the workshop is full....

[@tobyw9573]

In auto speedos and tachs there is a magnet or set that rotates and a steel cup that rotates the needle assy against a clock spring. The ones that I worked on would wear the bearing that supported the shaft with the magnets. There was some adjustment on the magnets (depth in cup? ) that made up for weakened magnets.

[@argee55]

Great addition to the shop. I recently had the opportunity to bid on a Hardinge HLV but. Unfortunately the guy that bought it had deeper pockets than I did.

[@danmetzger5583]

Very nice video Keith! I guess I need to try and stop by again and check out the new toys....someday I hope.

[@johnapel2856]

Very neat! Never heard of Rivett. Interesting features. Looking forward to watching you use it. And "Meow" to the shop cat. Thanks.

[@mealex303]

Wow very nice ild love that thing it looks supper ridgid and strong

[@dananelson5434]

That's a neat score Keith, the lathe and the tooling. Like the drive. Thanks for sharing.

[@ron827]

It appears Keith may have a magnetic personality which attracts older machines in need of adoption. This Rivett is a class act!!!!!

[@dannyl2598]

Very nice Keith. That tachometer looks like what I see on a lot of army surplus stuff. Thanks for the schooling especially that drive system.

[@kimber1958]

And congratulations on your new purchase

[@cmonster6]

That thing is sweet!i love the speed adjustment and the fact that it has a collet chuck

[@PhilGoldblum]

Congrats on the Rivett. Great looking machine. Looking forward to seeing some parts come off the chuck.

[@TraditionalToolworks]

Now we're talkin Rucker! I could be biased, but I think you made a great choice! Welcome to the select owners of these fine lathes! PS - I have the physical drawings which are also online, but if you need any of the actual drawings I might be able to copy something for you. No measurements on the drawings, unfortunately.

[@richardandrews6754]

hi Keith you forgot two others DS&G (DEAN SMITH & GRACE) The Rolls Royce of tool room lathes and the Smart & Brown. the 1024 is a joy to use and built like a tank the top slide is something in the order of 10" long never wear it out. I guess I am biased being from the old Country LOL stay safe love you work

[@railfan439]

Keith: I agree with what was said below that the tachometer is a standard mechanical aircraft type, but with a custom faceplate for the Rivett. A qualified aircraft instrument repair shop can overhaul it and even put on a new glass. If you were pressure washing it and water got in, you might have to consider that option. See you at the Bar-Z. Jon

[@jtkilroy]

Nice addition! You no longer need the basket case 10EE, you can sell that on Ebay. My 1020f is dated 1968, and is the newest one I have ever heard of. It is an additional inch of swing. I'd love some detail on those risers you have on there, never thought of doing that but seems like a good idea now. If you put the back gear / direct drive selector knob in the middle it releases and puts it in neutral. Call me when you have a chance and I'll tell you how to fix your tachometer.

[@phildcrow]

Yeah, or he could just have me come pick it up.

[@tom18181]

Such a cool old lathe. Love it and I love its speed control

[@fartzinacan]

20:20 my Jet BD920N has a depth scale on the tail stock handle. Unfortunately, I think it's more of a suggestion more than anything that's accurate. The reference point for the engraved scale is just riveted to the tailstock.

[@AllThingsMech]

Awesome machine, Keith. My little Logan 1815 was built in 1953 as well. Nowhere near the same class as the Rivett, but machines of that era are a dream to run. I learned on a 10EE and spent many years in front of one, so if you ever want to ditch the basket case let me know. I'll come scoop her up and handle the overhaul. Might take me a while, but it'll get done properly.

[@jacilynns6330]

older snowmobiles use a very short 1/8 speedo cable to go from the angled speedo head to driven shaft for track. They are about two inches long and are available quite easily. The spring twist of cable is there so that when you start or stop the machine it doesnt shear off the key. Straight metal does not work, ive tried.

[@ssboot5663]

If memory serves me,70's/80"s/ arctic cat brand snowmobiles used a short piece of square ended speedometer cable between the track drive shaft and the angle gears box mechanism to drive it the box..It was a flexible part.Perhaps something similar could be found to drive the Tach.

[@12370ts]

YES www.denniskirk.com/sports-parts-inc/speedometer-drive-link-12-163.p4001918.prd/4001918.sku?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn-Px_s314QIVGrbACh1s3AiFEAQYBSABEgIL1fD_BwE

[@mabmachine]

The 4th lathe in that list would be the Hendey Tool & Gauge lathe. But like the Rivett the Hendey T&G are much harder to find than a Hardinge or Monarch. Only a few hundred were built.

[@aserta]

Just like with Rivett, the Hendey was also priced high (if memory serves me) and nobody crowded to buy these when Monarch had the "cheapo", when compared, 10ee. They made killing at those prices.

[@wlc7176]

I wish you would show the loading/moving/unloading of these machines. That is one of the more daunting tasks for those of us who want to bring a machine home.

[@melgross]

The speed change is very similar to my South Bend FOURTEEN. Also uses that motor for the speed change. Though mine has a lever operated transmission.

[@kevinfaulkner8801]

Hi Keith, I have a selection of parts used to make up spedo cables. I don't have any cable but the square ends that are crimped on the ends of the cable. My guess is that it doesn't use cable but a pease of rod that goes into a driven gear in the head stock. Let me know if you can use any of the parts that I have.

[@rtkville]

Very nice! One of my wood lathes has that same type variable speed drive which makes it so much more enjoyable to use, I reelly do like it. I think you have a great new addition to the shop! Enjoy it!

[@TheJoyofPrecision]

Incredible! The 1020 is one of my absolute favorites. I had the opportunity to play around with one once and the mass combined with the effortless, silky operation of the carriage and slides is like nothing else I've felt. Congratulations Keith! Hey maybe you should come on the podcast some day and talk about it. 🙂

[@davidellenbaum1229]

the drive is used today in cvt trans with steel drive belt

[@pauljoseph8338]

Would love to see a tour of the inside of that machine. If you do some disassembly for painting, maybe you could show us the drive mechanism and the head’s gear train. Thanks!

[@forbesmathews89]

Hi Again Keith, Rivett is the old school pinnacle of precision!! You are going to love that lathe ! I had one back in the stone age. Incredibly rigid and accurate. Mine had drive problems and I wound up trading it for a better equipped Hardinge HLV.... LOL...Be sure to keep that drive greased !! When they are good they are very good but when bad...They are ugly $$$ My first tool room lathe was a Rivett 608 that was said to be the most precision lathe ever built .... Old man Rivett stated he "would not sell to or let an unskilled machinist touch a 608 for they might soil his reputation". WW2 changed all that....... Forbes

[@jimc4731]

The drive should be periodically run up and down through its full range to keep it lubricated. JIM

[@johneverson354]

A little scraping and a little paint ... Good as new

[@spnynorman5519]

There goes Shop Cat trying to steal the show. Neat machine. I thought something was wrong as soon as you fired it up . . . it runs already without having to be rebuilt ! You have enough projects - it's nice to just get something that works. Regards -

[@Nf6xNet]

That one chuck key is twisted into a pretzel! That looks like a really neat lathe. I’m looking forward to seeing it more.

[@JustJimWillDo]

A 5 HP motor, collet chuck that would hold a (small) telegraph pole and includes a collet to hold 1/16" stock. That's a lathe that is proud of its accuracy, precision and sensitivity!

[@oregonexpat]

Well Kieth, you have probably heard what the navy unofficial motto was; “If it moves, salute it, if it don’t, paint it!”

[@mikerickert5242]

I always heard the Army motto was "If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, pick it up. If you can't pick it up, paint it."

[@EngineeringVignettes]

Variable speed drive is the same as is used in snowmobiles, Subaru CVTs and little Tooks. Cool.

[@JohnDavidDunlap]

Where I live in the north east there's very little available on Craigslist or FB Marketplace that isn't a very old, very worn atlas or south bend that comes with little to no tooling. And they're still listed for $2500. Unless a screaming deal comes along, I've pretty much decided that my next lathe upgrade will be a brand new Precision Matthews. Once I replaced all the missing tooling on one of those old lathes I'd be at almost the same money and have a worn out lathe.

[@MikeBramm]

Very cool addition to the shop. That tachometer looks like it's something for an aircraft. Maybe Rivett did some war work and that's a surplus model.

[@richardhamelin2671]

I think this is going to be your favorite lathe.

[@unpob]

I have three of the 608 and was keen on finding that 1020. Best of luck with yours

[@russkepler]

You might want to check the maximum speed on that Sjogren chuck, I expect it might be easy to exceed it with the drive in open belt.

[@benalexander7388]

You forgot to mention the Hendey 9x24 Tool and Gauge makers lathe! Great looking lathe you got there. It has a similar style to the Monarch and Hendey. I have a Hendey T&G that came from the navy as well. It still has its serialized government plaque.

[@andreturnbull1259]

I would love to find such a good lathe for my shop. Unfortunately, these are very rare down under. The Reeves drive is very interesting and surprising that the belts are still good. The cat also appreciates you adding the scratching mat accessory.

[@kevinbyrne4538]

25:49 -- I like the way that Josie the Cat saunters into frame and steals the scene. "Don't pretend that you can't see me."

[@tonybaggett1984]

Happy you got a great lathe. Sad we won’t see the 10EE redone. With all your other projects I can’t see how you’ll have time to work on it and with having virtually the same lathe but better it sounds like the 10EE would be better at a new home. Gonna be awesome to see all the lathes in that area working.

[@ROBRENZ]

Very nice machine Keith! The HLVH is a lighter duty machine than the Rivett but has the saddle graduated dial in 0.010" divisions and also the graduated quill and dial on the tailstock. For smaller work the HLVH is probably more nimble but for medium and larger work the Rivett looks great. ATB, Robin

[@NoelBarlau]

Awesome, Keith! I've been pining for one of those for years.

[@scottlange3548]

Very nice, a little green with envy, enjoy!

[@apfyts]

Uh, That lever with the round knob on the lower left that switches from direct drive to back gear is the clutch lever. You can start and stop the spindle without stopping the motor.

[@metalworksmachineshop]

Very nice lathe, Torque Inverter is another name for the drive. My tail stock spindle has metric and Imperial on it, and the hand wheel is also graduated like yours.

[@vaalrus]

A “small” lathe with a big snowmobile clutch… I can dig it.

[@tommybewick]

Beautiful machine, i don't know anything about them, but I love your videos and will enjoy seeing you use this in the future.

[@torque350hp]

That looks like a nicely made lathe.

[@gojoe36]

Great find...congrats

[@mikeslayer5926]

hello im late posting as im sure you know by now spedometer cable replacement kits are available at all auto parts stores under 10 bucks,...measure ten times and cut once,...mike

[@WillyBemis]

What a great machine! I still hope you restore the Monarch 10EE because I bought one to follow along with you.

[@druidnoibn7218]

Hi Keith, Nice new project - looking forward to the process and success. As for the speed indicator - check out the folks at your local bicycle repair shop, they may have the some parts for the older speedometers. Just a thought.

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

If it came from a gentleman in Idaho, and was originally a Navy machine, then I'm betting it came from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA., or one of the other naval installations close by. It most likely was surveyed out and sent to disposal in the 80s or 90s, and then purchased from the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DROMO).

[@mongolike513]

Dear Mr Keith this is an outrageous example of tool envy promotion! Cat among pigeons, sir. This piece of kit is the equivalent of the quake that results in a tsunami, that’s a lot of responsibility to take on board. Best wishes to you but I think that you have started something quite unstoppable.

[@adco]

This video was really well done as always. Thx

[@PorcineJim]

That tach is almost certainly a standard aircraft tach with a Rivett dial. Even the RPM range is right. There are plenty of small airplanes that still use mechanical tachs. Just Google "Aircraft instrument shops in Georgia", I'll bet you'll find one really nearby. The southeast has many aircraft salvage outfits and people who know how to service these old instruments.

[@charlescompton4495]

Hey Keith, look in your sock drawer; there is several pairs in there and not all are the same. Different jobs require different tools so...why not? Hope you get the tach fixed; maybe the drawings could give an answer to the mystery. Maybe the connection is what is making the noise. It could have fallen into the brake mechanism. Hope you find the taper attachment. Thanks for sharing, Greg.

[@bcbloc02]

Looks like you got yourself a winner!! Those look like a really nice machine.

[@ALSomthin]

Wow this looks like a real stout lathe.

[@lukerickert5203]

Nice machine, sounds like it is closer in design to the European toolroom lathes such as Schaublin 135 etc in terms of setup with the drive, brake, etc than the other American toolroom machines. Good call on the toolpost, you need something stouter than the little AXA for a 5hp lathe.

[@shortribslongbow5312]

Whoa very impressive lathe thanks for sharing.

[@jimhumphrey]

Not disappointed but surprised. But a different style lathe is always good. I've never heard of the Rivett Lathe. I've worked on Reeves drives on wood lathes but I would like to see the belts and pulleys on this lathe.( I should have watched to the end before making comments :) I expect them to be more robust than a wood lathe.

[@ellieprice363]

Variable speed Bridgeport’s have a Reeves type drive in the head that powers the high and low speed spindle.

[@BigRalphSmith]

The tach looks like it was manufactured by one of the WWII aircraft gauge makers, possibly Grumman or one of the other makers.

[@MrJohnnaz]

Maybe Stewart-Warner?

[@BigRalphSmith]

@@MrJohnnaz Hard to tell. I need to go back and see if I can get a better look at the face of the gauge. There's some text in the middle of the face but I couldn't make it out. Or just ask Keith to tell us who made it. :)

[@TheMetalButcher]

I would highly recommend checking out the Reeves drive. They can have issues if the pulleys don't have proper lubrication and it can cause rapidly accelerated wear, especially when when motor pushed.

[@phildeeds8238]

Sounds like a winner, good luck with it!

[@matthewhelton1725]

Make sure that Lathe isn't radioactive... the Navy has the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho... :)

[@Hotrodelectric]

Aha- that's how the Idaho potato farmers were able to come up with that colossal potato they've been touring the country with. :)

[@johncollins719]

That thought crossed my mind as well...

[@crankyjew2d2]

super cool lathes. picking up a little bit of dismissal of Hardinge machines, what's that about?

[@richardvoyles4005]

I have one of these. I acquired it several years ago and have stored it. Mine is the 1020S as well and it has one of those cabinets that came with it to store tooling. It came with a set of collets that are proprietary to Rivett. I also have a follow rest, but have not verified that it fits this lathe. I am in the process of moving it and will store it again until I build a shop to put it in. I did run power to it enough to see it run, but have never used it. Very much looking forward to having it to use. Thanks for the video, lots of good info. Do you still need some one to pull the tach to see what is missing?

[@adamb2619]

"Why does Keith need another lathe?" That would be a great quote for some merchandise :)

[@richardfrisbie6069]

What an excellent machine!

[@kimber1958]

Sorry I thought this was a new video.It seemed awful familiar if you still happen to have those tool holders I’ll Buy them. I’m sure there long gone .I just ordered four of them from a little machine shop they were on sale for $12 each so I’m good have a great day thank you Keith

[@jamescrombie2320]

The Lodge & Shipley 2596 I used to run had graduations on the handwheel for the carriage. Can't quite remember the units but I think it was maybe 0.010" per line.

[@jonka1]

That speed indicator looks to be the same pattern as aircraft cockpit instruments from the same era as the lathe. I have several wartime units identical in shape to this.

[@astro1218]

You got a treasure keith !

[@kurtkrause7151]

Hendy also comes to mind. Hardinge as well.

[@63256325N]

Great find. Thanks for the video.

[@chennemeyer]

Wonderfull lathe! What a score

[@mikerickert5242]

Love the cameo of the shop cat.

[@horkinyorkin]

you have a follower rest! All us Rivett 10-20 owners are looking for one.

[@tron7404]

started watching your videos and they are very interesting

[@ThunderDog]

Nice score, Keith!! That pulley system is similar to the older MTD riding lawnmowers with High/Low and 6 change speeds. As long as the belts aren't worn out, it's actually effective and stupid simple to work on.

[@rays2877]

We called them VPS, variable pitch sheave. They were used on machines before DC power, or as they were converted over, AC VFD.

[@RinoaL]

Oh, that 10" chuck you plan to get rid of would work for my pipe welding machine im planning to build for my rocket engine. just need something to grip a pipe while it turns at about 1 or 2 RPM and the machine welds around it. i guess i'll have to send you an email! :D

[@meyawabdulaziz3863]

sweeet stuff the reeves drive pulley is kinda the vintage version of new CVT transmissions found in Nissan cars

[@rennkafer13]

basically a really overbuilt version of my Logan... I like it Keith!

[@loydsa]

Looks like a nice new "toy" Keith I look forward to seeing the work you will do on it :-) Regards Sarah

[@greaser5691]

25:54 : "Dad, get another mat, this one's no good for doing my claws on..." Always one of the critters are scene stealers :)

[@JoelHudson]

Nice visit by THE Shop Foreman!

[@MoondyneJoe]

Doesnt Keith have a shop dog ? or did the Cat get a promotion ?

[@aserta]

There's a wood shop side and a metal shop side. The dog's on the wood side, cat's on the metal side.

[@MoondyneJoe]

But the dog used to be in the metal side esp when the shop was being built Like good Supers /. foremen cats Are natural born bosses, remember "Dogs have owners, cats have staff" More of the Cat Please Keith !!! your Thumbs up clicks will escalate immensely grin! Tony from Western Australia

[@Patriot1776]

Shop kitties are wubly! ^^