shame too see such degradation to that machine it would be a decent thing otherwise, it wouldnt be worth restoring with the heavy rust. and the vertical head almost certainly has a spoiled taper real shame
Not if it's had a holder in it this whole time. Sadly can't see from the pics.
It's worth a look if the price is right, it's only a small machine so if the way is shot a half decent machine shop would be able to re cut it if you're up for a rebuild. Obviously it depends what the rest of the machine is like but for a home workshop it's probably savable.
Then youd have to remove a rusted load rust
It would have to be in pretty severe conditions for a matched taper to corrode beyond use. It's pretty sealed.
My latest acquisition, a coronet major had heavy rusting on all bare surfaces, but because it had a tool in both the head and tailstock both the tapers were perfect.
It's like when changing a bearing in a very rusty housing or shaft, generally the mating face is pretty clean.
Any idea what the little white oval badge on the headstock says?