Craftsman atlas lathe

[bagged89s10]

6in lathe for sale in my area. How much is fair to pay for it? He said its restored.




~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

Buyer said feed not working needs a new half nut.


~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

Model 101007007. Buyer says $350 right now

edit: It's actually a 101.21400

~Veeps

 

[rsanter]

Seems like a very nice unit. I think the price it at the top of the scale considering it still needs something. If it was $200 I would say grab it. Anything between that and the a king price is on a scale of how good of a deal

Bob

 

[Zeke]

No tooling, that's only a fair price. But you need to see and check the ways before you spring for it. If it's been well taken care of and not used a ton, that would be a good price here.

 

[Man Cave]

I have the same lathe only with a longer bed. A half nut shouldn't be to hard to find for it. Wave some cash around and bring it home. Put a cheap quick change tool holder on it and start making chips. Spindle hole is small but you can still do quite a bit with the machine for cheap. Don't expect any love for this lathe on the machine shop forums. There are many hate threads on the atlas. Still a better machine that a chinese brand.

 

[bagged89s10]

No tooling, that's only a fair price. But you need to see and check the ways before you spring for it. If it's been well taken care of and not used a ton, that would be a good price here.

He says some tooling but not much

I don't know anything about lathes other than when I used one in machine class in high school a long tim ago. How do I check the ways?


~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

I have the same lathe only with a longer bed. A half nut shouldn't be to hard to find for it. Wave some cash around and bring it home. Put a cheap quick change tool holder on it and start making chips. Spindle hole is small but you can still do quite a bit with the machine for cheap. Don't expect any love for this lathe on the machine shop forums. There are many hate threads on the atlas. Still a better machine that a chinese brand.

Yeah I'm hoping he will give it to me for $300.
We will see. I have to start low though.


~Veeps

 

[paulsomlo]

Any change gears? If not, you may not have to worry about half nuts.

My advice is walk away - lathes are not exactly rare in your neck of the woods. Look for a 9" South Bend or a small Logan with a quick change gearbox.

 

[bagged89s10]

Any change gears? If not, you may not have to worry about half nuts.

My advice is walk away - lathes are not exactly rare in your neck of the woods. Look for a 9" South Bend or a small Logan with a quick change gearbox.

Yea I'm gonna go check it out anyway but I don't think it's a great buy. Especially if it doesn't have a lot of tooling.
Edit: but I do want a lathe to be able to machine small parts without spending a ton of money on one.


~Veeps

 

[Zeke]

If this is in time, one method for checking ways is to feel for the cross slide backlash way down at the end where the tailstock sits. Then move it near the chuck and check it. If there is more backlash the ways are worn. You can live with this making small parts but making long parts with a consistent diameter will be tough.

The other way is to adjust the gibs tight with the slide near the chuck and if it binds when moving to the other end, the ways are worn.

 

[bagged89s10]

If this is in time, one method for checking ways is to feel for the cross slide backlash way down at the end where the tailstock sits. Then move it near the chuck and check it. If there is more backlash the ways are worn. You can live with this making small parts but making long parts with a consistent diameter will be tough.

The other way is to adjust the gibs tight with the slide near the chuck and if it binds when moving to the other end, the ways are worn.

Thanks. I actually just went to look at it and there is no play. The seller did a nice job restoring it. No extra set of gears but has enough tooling for me.
$300 and he's bringing it to my house. It's on a wheeled cart so that's a plus for my small garage.





~Veeps

 

[Boilerhouse]

I have a 10 inch Atlas. I bought it last year ($400) and it came with a lot of tooling. Tooling is important as you can spend a lot of money acquiring it. I had no previous experience with lathes. So far, I have made several parts and pieces with it. I will likely continue learning on it, then perhaps upgrade to something heavier.
Check out Tony's site for advise on buying a used lathe;

http://www.lathes.co.uk/

 

[Steevo]

That does look like a nice restoration. The ways appear to have been resurfaced, too.
You may find that it vibrates a bit on that lightweight cart, but bolting it to a stationary cabinet would fix that.
Sweet deal for $300

New half nuts can be found on Ebay

 

[scw1991]

you can still buy these half nuts through Sears. They are about $50 last time I checked.

 

[bagged89s10]

That does look like a nice restoration. The ways appear to have been resurfaced, too.
You may find that it vibrates a bit on that lightweight cart, but bolting it to a stationary cabinet would fix that.
Sweet deal for $300

New half nuts can be found on Ebay

Yes he resurfaced it. Yes the cart might be too light but I'm going to leave it on the cart for now.
I have to finish up my workbench and my wife's kitchen pantry first.


~Veeps

 

[bigcaddy]

I picked up a similar lathe thats a bit earlier fr 75.00 but it was nowhere near as clean as that one and my "base" was a log. No kidding, the guy mounted it to a chunk of wood and was dumbfounded that it was really hard to operate\use.

Victor machinery in NY will have the correct no.0 Morse taper items you will need to get it up and turning parts. You can also look at little machine shop.com for more. I think I bought a Jacobs drill chuck and some live centers from one f the two I mentioned. Victor might of been cheaper ad they are much closer to you then CA

 

[bagged89s10]

Well got a friend with a truck to come pick it up with me so I don't have to wait. Driving now





~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

The seller was really nice. He sprayed it with anti rust oil and wrapped it up so it wouldn't rust. It was snowing.

In my garage now.

Now I have to learn how to properly use it.




~Veeps

 

[bigcaddy]

The seller was really nice. He sprayed it with anti rust oil and wrapped it up so it wouldn't rust. It was snowing.

In my garage now.

Now I have to learn how to properly use it.




~Veeps

That's a nice knurling toll in the pile. Those are pretty handy when you need it!

 

[bagged89s10]

That's a nice knurling toll in the pile. Those are pretty handy when you need it!

Yes it is. I just need a large tool holder for it. I think


~Veeps

 

[justanengineer]

There's a lot of info online. South Bend's HTRAL (link below) is one of the classic intro booklets that most everyone has read. You might also check at your local library or college library for books on the basics of operating machine tools. Once you understand the basic operations and controls for that lathe, get out the bench grinder and grind a tool bit, chuck up some aluminum stock, and have fun but be safe. It may take a bit but watching how the machine cuts and experimenting a bit with your grinding will help you improve.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1617/3789.pdf

Definitely looks like an interesting machine, the PO obviously hit the ways with a flaker and I'd be curious to see some close-ups just bc those machines werent scraped nor flaked originally, only ground.

 

[rslaback]

You should probably be told that this is made of gold.

It is also the intended weakest link if the carriage is run into the headstock (or in my case the chuck key that was balanced between the ways). It will shear off to prevent damage.

If it breaks, do this.

 

[bagged89s10]

There's a lot of info online. South Bend's HTRAL (link below) is one of the classic intro booklets that most everyone has read. You might also check at your local library or college library for books on the basics of operating machine tools. Once you understand the basic operations and controls for that lathe, get out the bench grinder and grind a tool bit, chuck up some aluminum stock, and have fun but be safe. It may take a bit but watching how the machine cuts and experimenting a bit with your grinding will help you improve.



http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1617/3789.pdf



Definitely looks like an interesting machine, the PO obviously hit the ways with a flaker and I'd be curious to see some close-ups just bc those machines werent scraped nor flaked originally, only ground.

Yea I will definitely do some reading to freshen up on the basics because the last time I used a lathe was a long time ago in highschool. The previous owner restored it and he said he scraped the ways. I'll grab a pic later tonight or tomorrow.


~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

You should probably be told that this is made of gold.

It is also the intended weakest link if the carriage is run into the headstock (or in my case the chuck key that was balanced between the ways). It will shear off to prevent damage.



If it breaks, do this.

Thanks for that information.


~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

There's a lot of info online. South Bend's HTRAL (link below) is one of the classic intro booklets that most everyone has read. You might also check at your local library or college library for books on the basics of operating machine tools. Once you understand the basic operations and controls for that lathe, get out the bench grinder and grind a tool bit, chuck up some aluminum stock, and have fun but be safe. It may take a bit but watching how the machine cuts and experimenting a bit with your grinding will help you improve.



http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1617/3789.pdf



Definitely looks like an interesting machine, the PO obviously hit the ways with a flaker and I'd be curious to see some close-ups just bc those machines werent scraped nor flaked originally, only ground.

Here is the scraped ways done by the previous owner.


~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

Messed with the lathe for a few minutes this morning. I've been saving these cool looking coffee cans. Since I have a lathe, decided to chuck one up and give it a quick sanding and wire brushed finish. How didn't live without one of these?





~Veeps

 

[nine4gmc]

Good score, I have the 12" Craftsman now and wonder how I lived so long without one...they are fun!

 

[justanengineer]

It wasnt evident in the pics but do yourself a favor if youre sanding/polishing on the lathe if you arent already, lay a rag over the ways to keep grit and **** off of them.

Thanks for the pics of the ways. I'm a bit of a sucker for scraping and flaking, to me its more beautiful than engine turning, polishing, or a lot of other decorative work.

 

[zkling]

It wasnt evident in the pics but do yourself a favor if youre sanding/polishing on the lathe if you arent already, lay a rag over the ways to keep grit and **** off of them.

Thanks for the pics of the ways. I'm a bit of a sucker for scraping and flaking, to me its more beautiful than engine turning, polishing, or a lot of other decorative work.

I too am curious on the scraping. If it was actually done on a freshly ground bend with care or just for decoration on a worn surface. The fact that he PO sold it as "restored" with a bad half nut is a bit questionable. Like a restored car with a worn out differential.

 

[bagged89s10]

I too am curious on the scraping. If it was actually done on a freshly ground bend with care or just for decoration on a worn surface. The fact that he PO sold it as "restored" with a bad half nut is a bit questionable. Like a restored car with a worn out differential.

Yeah I don't know. Originally he had it listed on CL for $400. Then he said he just found out the feed stopped working so he took $50 off right off the bat. He said he was going to use it himself but he was moving and didn't have room. He seemed pretty legit vs other sellers I've come across but you never know. The ways seem pretty tight without any play.


~Veeps

 

[Doug Arthurs]

The frustrating thing about something broken on your lathe is that you could make the part if only you had a working lathe.

 

[bagged89s10]

The frustrating thing about something broken on your lathe is that you could make the part if only you had a working lathe.

Haha true. I need to take it apart and hopefully it is only the half nut. I want to be able to cut threads.


~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

Got some change gears off eBay for $40. Beats paying $350 from sears parts.



~Veeps

 

[dovco]

NOS or old gears are probably old and brittle. You can adapt some better gears if you can find them in the right sizes. I've had several Atlas/Craftsman lathes, 6 and 12 inch. They are OK but not very stout when compared to a South Bend or a modern lathe with inverted V ways. It's a capable machine, though.
I have a few manual pdfs I can send if you message me an email address. http://www.lathes.co.uk/ is a good source.
This page is good, too, as many of the minilathe tools and ideas can be applied toward your machine:
http://www.varmintal.com/alath.htm

 

[dovco]

You might find some TAIG stuff useful.
Taigtools.com
littlemachineshop.com
lathemaster.com

The TAIG milling attachment, while small, will allow you to mill things with a milling cutter mounted in the lathe chuck.

If/when you're ready to upgrade two important things are hardened inverted V ways and the diameter of the hole through the headstock.

 

[56FordGuy]

Most of the parts for your lathe are available brand new from Clausing. They bought Atlas somewhere along the line and still support the older stuff. I bought brand new parts for my 10" Atlas for less than what used parts would've cost on eBay.

 

[tiggi]

In my garage now.

Now I have to learn how to properly use it.

~Veeps

Congrats, I got my first lathe 6 mo ago and I know how excited I was and still am everytime I use it.

 

[bagged89s10]

NOS or old gears are probably old and brittle. You can adapt some better gears if you can find them in the right sizes. I've had several Atlas/Craftsman lathes, 6 and 12 inch. They are OK but not very stout when compared to a South Bend or a modern lathe with inverted V ways. It's a capable machine, though.
I have a few manual pdfs I can send if you message me an email address. http://www.lathes.co.uk/ is a good source.
This page is good, too, as many of the minilathe tools and ideas can be applied toward your machine:
http://www.varmintal.com/alath.htm

Thanks for the help. I sent you a message.

You might find some TAIG stuff useful.
Taigtools.com
littlemachineshop.com
lathemaster.com

The TAIG milling attachment, while small, will allow you to mill things with a milling cutter mounted in the lathe chuck.

If/when you're ready to upgrade two important things are hardened inverted V ways and the diameter of the hole through the headstock.

Thanks, I'll check out those links. Down the road I will definitely get a milling attachment. Just not in the budget right now.

Most of the parts for your lathe are available brand new from Clausing. They bought Atlas somewhere along the line and still support the older stuff. I bought brand new parts for my 10" Atlas for less than what used parts would've cost on eBay.

That's good to know. Thanks

Congrats, I got my first lathe 6 mo ago and I know how excited I was and still am everytime I use it.

Thanks, any new tool is exciting but a lathe can do so much. I'm looking forward to learning how to do everything I can on this lathe.



~Veeps

 

[dovco]

These are very good:

http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/142-machine-shop-1