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This is an idea that came to mind after going over various threads on this Canadian classic. There are several threads with lots of good information, but not a single one that has it all together. My intent is to have a timeline and approximate manufacturing dates for these machines. To help with future searches looking for information, I'd also like to include serial numbers and photos (a 3400 registry of sorts), outlining the changes that were made to the model over the years. I'm far from an expert on these and I'm counting on the more experienced members to fill in more details (and correct any errors) as the thread grows.
If this turns out to be a bad idea, well, just let the thread die...
So I'll start off with a brief history of the 3400 as gathered from the experienced posters here (Steve, Leo, etc), along with some information on the two 3400's that I have:
The model started off as being from the Callander Foundry, with a "Beaver" badge. The earliest ones had a MT2 taper in the headstock, that had a MT2 to MT1 adapter (held by a drawbolt) that had a threaded 7/8" x 14 tpi tip, onto which the spur drive screwed on. The tailstock had a solid dead center. Let's refer to this as the "Callander" version. Later on the tailstock was modified to have a MT1 taper, allowing the use of accessories such as a live center, drill chuck, etc. The serial number tag was at the bottom, outside end of the headstock, showing the model number and serial number:
Then around 1954 Rockwell acquired the Beaver product line. The 3400 continued to be made as-is, still identified as Beaver, but with a modified badge that indicated that it was now made by Rockwell Manufacturing. The serial number tag was moved to the bottom, left end of the bed and along with the model and serial numbers, also showed the Rockwell name, with the old lower case "r" logo. Serial numbers also appear to have made a jump to a higher range. Let's call these the "old Rockwell" model The earliest ones continued to feature the MT2 taper in the headstock and MT1 in the tailstock. After that, the headstock spindle was simplified to a solid spindle with just the 7/8" x 14 tpi threaded tip:
Later on, the appearance and colours were changed. The name became "Beaver / Rockwell". The badge was changed to the round "peace sign" logo that Rockwell was now using, and the name went to a label on the bed. The headstock lost the three "art deco" feature stripes that Beaver was known for. Let's call these the "new Rockwell" model:
(photo taken from another thread)
Lastly, Rockwell became part of Delta and the model was again modified, with the model becoming the 3401A, up until it was dropped altogether, as Delta already had lathe models of their own. The headstock logo was dropped, and had was identified as "Rockwell" with the logo on the bed label, although the serial number tag indicated "Beaver - Delta". The number range also made a jump and now had 6 digits. The bed was also modified to a 2 part design. The tailstock design and locking mechanism were changed. Let's call this one the "Delta" model.
(photos from another thread)
Variations:
The one question that often comes up is if a particular lathe has the MT taper in the head and/or tail stock. Having the taper instead of just a solid spindle is generally more desirable because other accessories can then be used. Visually identifying this is actually quite easy. A solid headstock spindle will just have a solid, closed shaft on the outboard side, while a spindle with the MT2 taper will either show the head of the drawbolt, or the hole for it, if it has been removed:
drawbolt head:
Similarly, a tailstock with a MT1 taper will show the knockout rod, or the hole for it:
Other differences: The lockdown bolts for the banjo and tailstock and the wrench for them) appear to have had at least two different sizes. The original Beaver model appears to have had a large bolt size and a forged wrench, while the old Rockwell model had smaller bolts and a flat wrench. Here is a pic of the two side by side (left: Beaver, right: old Rockwell). The 3rd, smallest hole of the Beaver wrench fits the drawbolt for the headstock spindle.
Please, feel free to add other information or corrections!
If this turns out to be a bad idea, well, just let the thread die...
So I'll start off with a brief history of the 3400 as gathered from the experienced posters here (Steve, Leo, etc), along with some information on the two 3400's that I have:
The model started off as being from the Callander Foundry, with a "Beaver" badge. The earliest ones had a MT2 taper in the headstock, that had a MT2 to MT1 adapter (held by a drawbolt) that had a threaded 7/8" x 14 tpi tip, onto which the spur drive screwed on. The tailstock had a solid dead center. Let's refer to this as the "Callander" version. Later on the tailstock was modified to have a MT1 taper, allowing the use of accessories such as a live center, drill chuck, etc. The serial number tag was at the bottom, outside end of the headstock, showing the model number and serial number:
Then around 1954 Rockwell acquired the Beaver product line. The 3400 continued to be made as-is, still identified as Beaver, but with a modified badge that indicated that it was now made by Rockwell Manufacturing. The serial number tag was moved to the bottom, left end of the bed and along with the model and serial numbers, also showed the Rockwell name, with the old lower case "r" logo. Serial numbers also appear to have made a jump to a higher range. Let's call these the "old Rockwell" model The earliest ones continued to feature the MT2 taper in the headstock and MT1 in the tailstock. After that, the headstock spindle was simplified to a solid spindle with just the 7/8" x 14 tpi threaded tip:
Later on, the appearance and colours were changed. The name became "Beaver / Rockwell". The badge was changed to the round "peace sign" logo that Rockwell was now using, and the name went to a label on the bed. The headstock lost the three "art deco" feature stripes that Beaver was known for. Let's call these the "new Rockwell" model:
(photo taken from another thread)
Lastly, Rockwell became part of Delta and the model was again modified, with the model becoming the 3401A, up until it was dropped altogether, as Delta already had lathe models of their own. The headstock logo was dropped, and had was identified as "Rockwell" with the logo on the bed label, although the serial number tag indicated "Beaver - Delta". The number range also made a jump and now had 6 digits. The bed was also modified to a 2 part design. The tailstock design and locking mechanism were changed. Let's call this one the "Delta" model.
(photos from another thread)
Variations:
The one question that often comes up is if a particular lathe has the MT taper in the head and/or tail stock. Having the taper instead of just a solid spindle is generally more desirable because other accessories can then be used. Visually identifying this is actually quite easy. A solid headstock spindle will just have a solid, closed shaft on the outboard side, while a spindle with the MT2 taper will either show the head of the drawbolt, or the hole for it, if it has been removed:
drawbolt head:
Similarly, a tailstock with a MT1 taper will show the knockout rod, or the hole for it:
Other differences: The lockdown bolts for the banjo and tailstock and the wrench for them) appear to have had at least two different sizes. The original Beaver model appears to have had a large bolt size and a forged wrench, while the old Rockwell model had smaller bolts and a flat wrench. Here is a pic of the two side by side (left: Beaver, right: old Rockwell). The 3rd, smallest hole of the Beaver wrench fits the drawbolt for the headstock spindle.
Please, feel free to add other information or corrections!
Attached Files
): Do you have rough dates for when the when the old Rockwell became the new Rockwell, and when it ultimately became the Delta? Also, you mention having rebuilt and upgraded the spindles to MT on several lathes. Where did the parts come from? And what did you do with the old solid spindles? I'm guessing that in some cases two lathes were possibly combined to make one with both MT tapers and another one with none, or just parted out?
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