What Should I offer on this Lathe?

[Rocketcoffin]

So one of the guys I work with has a PowrKraft 64TLC-2130 lathe that he is looking to get rid of. It was his dads, and he knows nothing about it or what its worth, and I cant seem to find any info on it as far as value goes. Whats this thing worth? Is Powerkraft a decent manufacturer? Is there a standard rule of thumb when buying old machine tools? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Zeke]

I gave 350 for an old Atlas 10" with some tooling. Some said it was worth 600.

 

[premierplayer]

PowerKraft, Montgomery Wards me thinks.
Here ya go, http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=11214

Google a bit, you should come up with a ballpark $.
Weigh that with what it's woorth to you and your budget.
Consider, if it breaks you'll be needing to make your own parts.
These old tools are very cool but also a labor of love.

 

[Warrenator]

I have a very similar lathe, mine is a Logan 200, I think similar size but older, I paid $800 and thought I got a smokin' deal. I did get quite a bit (200 pounds or more) of tooling with it.

Logan made a very good lathe, sold them as Powr-Kraft at Montgomery Wards. The gears are steel rather than the Zamak (pot metal) that you get on the Atlas lathes. Parts are available from Logan Actuator, and ebay, I bought a missing gear for $19.

Price depends on what you can justify spending, if it is a great lathe woth $500 but you can't offer more than $200 because that's all the hobby money you have available, offer the $200 and say it's cash, no hassle, you will pick it up and he doesn't have to deal with craigslist flakes, shipping, crating, or anything.

 

[rsanter]

from the pictures I saw of them on the net I would say its a decent home use machine.

depending on condition, whats with it...etc
I would be offering in the range if $300 to $600 if its an operable machine or one that could be made operable with little work
if it takes a bunch of work and any parts to get running then cut that range in half

bob

 

[Rocketcoffin]

I think after I check it out and make sure it is complete and in working order, 450.00 would be a fair offer.

 

[brownbagg]

i got an atlas 12, if somebody gave me $500 for it, they would have to beat me away from their tailgate, loading it for them. lathes are worth the money but not many people want them so resale value not high.

 

[larry_g]

Like warren said that is a rebadged logan lathe. Logan is still supporting the lathe at http://www.lathe.com/. I have had a couple of those lathes and they are a good basic lathe. Price could be all over the map depending on what and how much 'kit' you get with it. A lathe with no motor or anything else could be a couple of hundred. If it is operating and has all the change gears, steadies and on a good bench then $800. If it has a taper then add another 250. Chucks and collets also add on the price. Do you know enough about a lathe to search the shop to find all the accessories that should go with it? So many times in a deal like this parts could be scattered all over the shop and if you do not know what belongs to the lathe then it gets left behind and when you figure out its missing it costs an arm and a leg to acquire.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Thruxton]

Based on my limited, non-professional experience, whether this lathe is good for you depends a lot on what materials you plan to machine and what tolerances you need to machine them to. Holding a tenth on stainless is a lot different from holding a thou on aluminum or brass.

 

[rickairmedic]

i got an atlas 12, if somebody gave me $500 for it, they would have to beat me away from their tailgate, loading it for them. lathes are worth the money but not many people want them so resale value not high.

Brwonbag if I was any closer I might take you up on that .


Rick

 

[Rocketcoffin]

I plan on using it on various automotive projects - turning down a wheel spacer, making busing inserts, tapping and threading, etc. Nothing indutrial or needing super high tolerances - basically just a hobby machine.

Think this would be an a decent setup?

 

[ibedayank]

the cost of the lathe is one thing its the tooling and chucks where you spend the big bucks.

The more tooling that is included the better of a deal it will be

 

[redrunner]

I got my 10" Atlas for $100 with tooling and many other parts/rests/supports and so on. It had never turned a piece of metal. It was used to rewind armatures by the guy. He died and his kid just wanted it gone....I was happy to make it gone for him!

 

[Steevo]

For a hobbiest use and home shop purposes, it should be a good unit, if the ways are true and in good condition, and if it comes with basic tooling including chucks, tool post, tool bits, etc.
For threading, it may be challenging, since this model does not have a quick change gear box, which means it should also come with a set of gears to change threading pitches, etc.
It is made by Logan, and is a good quality machine.
It should look like this:

Made in about 1946
Value is probably between $200 and $400, more if excellent to mint condition.
For a couple hundred more, you can find a good 12x36 1970's vintage lathe with a QCGB.