Resources
Photo Protocol
A photo protocol for South African workshop machines, showing the views needed for listings, inspections, and buyer review.
How Photo Protocol documents used lathes on the floor
Photo Protocol lists the views needed to document a machine properly before sale, inspection, or transport. That includes overall shots, control panels, bed or table condition, tooling, nameplates, and any visible wear or damage.
Begin with the machine standing still and fully visible. For a lathe, boring machine or valve grinder, the photo set should record the whole machine, the working area, the controls and the maker's plate before any covers or tooling are moved. In South Africa it also helps to show where the machine is positioned, because cramped access, dust and storage conditions can matter as much as the model name.
Take the overall views first, then move closer in a fixed order. A simple sequence on your phone or printed sheet stops important details being missed, especially chuck condition, slide wear, guards, loose tooling and electrical panels. That makes the image pack easier to use for listings, workshop checks and buyer review.
Essential views for each machine
A proper photo set should cover front, rear and both sides, followed by close shots of controls, serial plates, bed or table surfaces, lubrication points and any visible damage. Include accessories laid out separately if they are part of the sale. Clear identification saves time when similar machines are standing together in the Crown Mines stock area.
Before loading or inspection, match the photos to the machine exactly as it stands, with loose items counted and pictured. Add one image of any fault, missing guard or worn section that needs attention. That gives a cleaner record than a mixed gallery taken over several days.
- Full machine views from all sides
- Close shots of wear and tooling
- Nameplates, controls and electrical details
Workshop conditions worth showing
Photographs should show more than paint and general shape. Include the area around the machine if access is tight, if lifting will be difficult, or if parts are stored separately from the main unit. On used equipment in Johannesburg workshops, buyers often need to judge condition from practical signs such as swarf build-up, staining, missing handles and improvised repairs.
Lighting, dust and surface rust can hide important detail, so wipe only what is needed and avoid heavy editing. Inland grime on slideways, coastal corrosion on bare steel and faded labels on older controls should be visible in the set. If the machine can be powered safely, one or two photos with the panel lit can also help identify the configuration.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Using this protocol on site
Keep the camera square to the machine where possible and take the identification plate sharply enough to read. Photograph chucks, steadies, tailstocks, boring heads, wheel guards or valve tooling separately rather than leaving them half hidden on the machine. If damage is present, include one wider view and one close view for context.
Use the same checklist for sales listings, pre-purchase inspections and collection records. A complete image set is useful when a buyer in Durban or Cape Town cannot view the machine in person. It also helps workshop staff confirm what was present before transport or storage.