Whats this Lathe worth?
- Thread starter t4runner
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WILD-BILL
Well-known member
No way that is worth $1000.
LOTW
Well-known member
I would say no , it depends on the area and what's available.
tdkkart
Well-known member
6"x18" Atlas/Craftsman, well regarded lathe, much better quality than the similar sized imports. In they right market they bring some decent money, but typically not on the east coast. If all the tooling is there, and it's in really nice condition, I MIGHT give $500 for it on a good day.
I have been looking for a while and there are plenty of Jet lathes that are bigger [ still good size for the home shop ] that go for around $700-1000 depending on what come with it but very few Atlas or Craftsman. I made him an offer of $300, maybe thats to much but lets see what he comes back with.
Steinmetz
Well-known member
Zamak gearing, plastic gibs, a barely adequate tailstock, no quick change gearbox…need I continue?
BigMike782
Well-known member
It's better than no lathe but not by much. I sold mine last fall and IIRC I got about 300.00
rsanter
Well-known member
A lot of the value is in the tooling. What tooling comes with it?
As it sits alone if in good shape,I'm thinking $600 tops. With tooling it could be $1000 depending on what is with it
Bob
As it sits alone if in good shape,I'm thinking $600 tops. With tooling it could be $1000 depending on what is with it
Bob
paulsomlo
Well-known member
That's part of an estate sale. The people selling it have no idea of it's value and they're shooting in the dark. I don't see any change gears anywhere and without those, you won't be doing much threading. Maybe $300, especially in the northeast, where the streets are literally paved with lathes, if you're willing to drive.
tdkkart
Well-known member
This is key, location, location, location. Seems like lathes grow on trees on the east coast, a look at Craigslist in almost any large-ish city is almost guaranteed to find a decent lathe. Around here on the other hand is a machinery blackhole.
Any decent lathe, when they come up is gone within hours. 2 years ago I sold a clapped-out Atlas 12" lathe for my asking price in less than 4hrs and could have sold 3 more if I had them.
Supply and demand, when the supply is low the prices tend to be considerably higher.
JoeFin
Well-known member
As many have said it depends on your location and I can see your in NY. Given that - if the Kennedy Box is included full of inspection tools and change gears, plus a 4 jaw chuck laying around - for your area $600 - 750
That being said
Lathes were all over Craigs List here in Calif Bay area - UNTIL the housing market rebounded. Now they are slim pickens to none.
Reality is - all the working shops that are still around have changed over to CNC or gone out of business. And those that have them in their home shops are not letting go of them. So now what I see on CL are lathes like that without tooling going for $800. People asking over $3000 for Jet lathes that 2 years ago would not fetch $1200.
Point is - if your thinking of it, you need to get it done
That being said
Lathes were all over Craigs List here in Calif Bay area - UNTIL the housing market rebounded. Now they are slim pickens to none.
Reality is - all the working shops that are still around have changed over to CNC or gone out of business. And those that have them in their home shops are not letting go of them. So now what I see on CL are lathes like that without tooling going for $800. People asking over $3000 for Jet lathes that 2 years ago would not fetch $1200.
Point is - if your thinking of it, you need to get it done
John in OH
Well-known member
This is a small lathe, very light-weight, no quick-change gearbox, flat ways, lantern-style toolpost, very small (if any) spindle bore, etc. so $1,000 is way too much. As others have suggested, location and associated tooling included definitely makes a difference, but $300 is probably about right PROVIDED the change gears for the headstock are included! Without the change gears it is definitely limited in its use. This price also assumes the ways are not worn.
For comparison, a few years ago in Ohio I bought a small Logan lathe, 9" x 24", no change gears, no tooling, one chuck, 120v motor, kind of grubby, but not worn out, and paid $125.
For comparison, a few years ago in Ohio I bought a small Logan lathe, 9" x 24", no change gears, no tooling, one chuck, 120v motor, kind of grubby, but not worn out, and paid $125.
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Deskmechanic
Well-known member
I sold an identical Atlas last year with a nice custom-made stand, tons of tooling, a bench grinder, two chucks and stacks of threading gears for $700 including delivery. It was in excellent working condition.
I imagine this is worth the same at top dollar. Average 'estate sale' price would be closer to $500 - that is unknown condition/support/tooling.
I imagine this is worth the same at top dollar. Average 'estate sale' price would be closer to $500 - that is unknown condition/support/tooling.
paranoid56
Well-known member
i know around here i could easily sell that for 1000-1200 bucks. just depends on where you live
Deskmechanic
Well-known member
You really think so? I have been watching OC and San Diego CL for a few months now because I have been thinking of buying another lathe. I have seen more than a few nice South Bends (which are a far superior machine) go for my $500-$1000 price point.
sasquatch12
Well-known member
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Lathe looks real good. Again as posted it is LOCATION, and TOOLING.
If it is complete with the change gears , and other tooling around here it would sell for $700-800.
There is a BIG following of these lathes, the 618 yahoo groups is a major one, and tons of parts are available used.
Used within it's capacity they are great, some top notch builders have them and won't part with them.
If it is complete with the change gears , and other tooling around here it would sell for $700-800.
There is a BIG following of these lathes, the 618 yahoo groups is a major one, and tons of parts are available used.
Used within it's capacity they are great, some top notch builders have them and won't part with them.
Steinmetz
Well-known member
Collets, and a six-jaw chuck? The motor is a minimal expense. Move on it.
Check the gearing for missing teeth. You'll need an inspection mirror and a flashlight to inspect the quick-change gearbox. Also, if you have a dial indicator (or a test gage) and a magnetic base, check the spindle runout.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
Much Better.
That's a SB 9A, looks like a 3 foot bed with large dials, three chucks included (one keyless), and a set of collets. Somewhere in that mess, there's probably a handwheel type collet closer.
Not to worry about belts and motors - single phase motors are cheap. Just about any 1/2 hp 56 frame motor with the right shaft size will do and belts are readily available. Use the belt/motor as a bargaining chip, say $100.
Depending on condition, the price is very reasonable. You may find cheaper, but you'll wait a while. The two things to look for in a used lathe are the condition of the bed and the spindle bearings. For the spindle bearings, if you can remove the chuck (careful not to drop it on the bed), check for side to side play, then turn it by hand, listening for grinding noises. As far as the bed, look at the picture below. These lathes tend to wear at the location of the arrow, just below the top of the carriage V-ways, due to how the carriage contacts the bed. Look at this point on both front and back of both ways that the carriage rides on. You're looking for a "ridge". Anything up to 0.005" is probably OK (a piece of paper is about 0.003" thick).
If you have more questions, post them here, or feel free to PM me, I can even give you a phone number and we can chat - I own two of these lathes.
Paul
That's a SB 9A, looks like a 3 foot bed with large dials, three chucks included (one keyless), and a set of collets. Somewhere in that mess, there's probably a handwheel type collet closer.
Not to worry about belts and motors - single phase motors are cheap. Just about any 1/2 hp 56 frame motor with the right shaft size will do and belts are readily available. Use the belt/motor as a bargaining chip, say $100.
Depending on condition, the price is very reasonable. You may find cheaper, but you'll wait a while. The two things to look for in a used lathe are the condition of the bed and the spindle bearings. For the spindle bearings, if you can remove the chuck (careful not to drop it on the bed), check for side to side play, then turn it by hand, listening for grinding noises. As far as the bed, look at the picture below. These lathes tend to wear at the location of the arrow, just below the top of the carriage V-ways, due to how the carriage contacts the bed. Look at this point on both front and back of both ways that the carriage rides on. You're looking for a "ridge". Anything up to 0.005" is probably OK (a piece of paper is about 0.003" thick).
If you have more questions, post them here, or feel free to PM me, I can even give you a phone number and we can chat - I own two of these lathes.
Paul
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WILD-BILL
Well-known member
That is a much better lathe and a much better deal. Any Idea of the swing and center to center distance?
Steinmetz
Well-known member
It has a quick-change gearbox. There is no need for gear changing.
The suggestion for a variable speed motor is a good one. My Colchester has 3 speed ranges and a VFD (factory setup), which makes it very convenient to tweak the speed especially when turning a wide diameter change.