Lathe - keep it or get rid of it?

[Jlbc212]

I have a Logan screw cutting and turret lathe that I received from my nephew two years ago. He gave it to me in exchange for something I gave him (I can't remember what I gave him). The lathe has been taking up valuable space in my garage. I'm not a machinist. I am a lifelong shade tree mechanic. I'm hard-pressed to think of when I could have used a lathe. I've thought about moving it to my basement where maybe someday when I have nothing else to do (hasn't happened yet since I got married 45 years ago) I would teach myself how to do something useful with it. So, do I keep it or get rid of it? What is it worth?

 

[My Old Tools]

It's worth what someone in your area will give. I would keep it and learn to use it. That's a Logzn 210. Parte are still available from Logan Actuator. Scott Logan runs it. I hope you got the change gears with it if you ever need to cut threads.

 

[Maui]

Do you have all of the necessary components to operate the lathe? I don't see the motor or drive belt in the photos. Do you have any of the tools bits? Do you have a grinder to dress the tool bits?

Maui

 

[Old Man Roger]

If you don't have the want, or the need, get rid of it.
They're a great tool if you use it, but they do take up a lot of space. If you do a lot of custom fabricating, they are invaluable.

 

[royesses]

That is a very desirable lathe. You can go to
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/forums/
and ask there for the approximate value and will most likely find some who are interested in purchasing it. Many would rather have that lathe than a new Asian lathe.

Roy

 

[Jlbc212]

Do you have all of the necessary components to operate the lathe? I don't see the motor or drive belt in the photos. Do you have any of the tools bits? Do you have a grinder to dress the tool bits?

Maui

I have all the necessary components to operate the lathe including the gear change carts. My father-in-law (long ago deceased) was a tool designer and I have several of his tool bits, some taps, dies and a grinder. I also have my FIL's original "Shop Theory" training manual of the Henry Ford Trade School, copyright 1934, revised 1941. All I need is more time, more work space and a need.

 

[Packard V8]

It's good you're on the wrong coast, otherwise I'd be telling you it's junk and coming by with my truck to take it away.

As mentioned, that completely equipped Logan is a dream for some of us.

I am a lifelong shade tree mechanic. I'm hard-pressed to think of when I could have used a lathe.

The real question is how a life-long shadetree has never had a need for a lathe. I'm of the same persuasion and need one all the time. I definitely need more talent and tooling, as I still have to farm out some work.

jack vines

 

[crguy]

Realistically, if you haven't found a need for it yet, you never will.

Better to sell it and free up the space. Looks to still be in good condition, putting it into storage may be the death of it.

You don't just "pick up" how to run a lathe overnight.

It's a decent basic home shop lathe, not rare or high value.

 

[Maui]

I would recommend keeping it then. It looks to be in very good shape, and once you start using it you will be surprised at how useful it can be. A good place to start would be by reading through the book "How To Run A Lathe" by South Bend. You can download the 1928 version here:

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=5795

And to give you an idea how a lathe can be a practical, useful tool to have around, here is what I made on mine recently to solve an aggravating problem (post #149):

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158532&highlight=maui+gas&page=8

Maui

 

[paulsomlo]

In your neck of the woods, where you can't walk down the street without tripping over a 9" South Bend - might bring $500 (if all the change gears are present).

The day after you sell it, you'll need a lathe. When you have one, you start to realize how many things are circular in nature.

 

[In The Doghouse]

I want it. I call dibs if you want to move it. Wish I was closer though.

 

[Jlbc212]

I would recommend keeping it then. It looks to be in very good shape, and once you start using it you will be surprised at how useful it can be. A good place to start would be by reading through the book "How To Run A Lathe" by South Bend. You can download the 1928 version here:

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=5795

And to give you an idea how a lathe can be a practical, useful tool to have around, here is what I made on mine recently to solve an aggravating problem (post #149):

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158532&highlight=maui+gas&page=8

Maui

Thanks for the South Bend link and nice work solving that aggravating problem!
I really need to find a space for the lathe and to make time to learn to use it.

 

[unknownroad]

I chased a 9" South Bend around my garage for about 8 years thinking I would get around to cleaning it up and learning to use it, before finally unloading it this year. I'd vote sell. Price is really going to depend on your local market since they're too heavy to stick in a priority flat rate box... may want to keep an eye on Craigslist for a while and see if anything comparable shows up.

 

[D45]

looks really clean...…...I would love to own one and learn how to use it

 

[crguy]

looks really clean...…...I would love to own one and learn how to use it

What's holding you back then? Lathes are easy to find.

 

[D45]

Having spare money to justify the purchase

Have other priorities