Atlas 10 inch lathe question

[poppinjohnnies]

Are there any Atlas lathe experts out there? I have an old Atlas 10” lathe that I bought a few years ago. It came with a load of parts and accessories, including a milling attachment. I’d like to use the milling attachment for some small projects, but it seems that I’m missing parts from the tool holder. This holder has a 1/4” threaded rod that attaches to the tool holder on one end and has bare threads on the other. The threads stick out of the shaft about 3/8”. What am I missing on this thing?

 

[larry_g]

NO expert but that seems to be a MT taper tool holder. The screw in rod is the drawbar that holds it in the spindle and on the other end of the spindle should be a nut and maybe a centering washer that is tightened to pull the tool holder into the spindle and hold it as many milling operations tend to pull the cutter into the work and the tool holder out of the spindle. Also missing seems to be a thread protector that threads on the spindle before installing the tool holder and it protects the spindle threads from damage and may also be used to eject the tool holder.
Google search; Atlas milling tool holder drawbar ,and you will see some images of a hand wheel that threads onto the drawbar.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Atl...HnvLYAhVF6WMKHSWwDCsQsAQIwQE&biw=1280&bih=633



lg
no neat sig line

 

[matt_i]

As Larry indicates, the threaded rod is to hold the collet tight. The MT2 or 3 (forgot used to own one similar way back when) is not sufficient to self-hold under milling side-loads. But, with the drawbar in place the cutter will keep tight.

You could run with either collets or endmill holders. There could be some "new" morse taper collets being made but you might have to look for good-used. The original Bridgeport model had an MT2 collet system in it, before graduating to R8.

I think you will eventually want to build the nose-thread protector referenced above as well as a "knockout bar" for the collet, as the collet will be tight into the taper. It has to be rapped out from behind. Along those lines, use medium torque to tighten the collet, there is a lot of wedge there and I've had to unstick a really really tight one once and it was not fun....

 

[poppinjohnnies]

Thanks guys. I suppose I can just measure and build a spacer on the lathe and just use a nut on the end to hold it. matt, good idea on the thread protector. I'll try to build one of those too. Now I have to teach myself how to operate this thing!

 

[MShaw]

If you make a thread protector, make it with a "lip" that will engage the shoulder on the end mill adapter. That way you can "jack" the adapter out of the spindle without pounding on the spindle. Much better for the spindle bearings.

 

[VocaTexas]

Go here and register: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/forums/

They've got a beginner's section and an Atlas specific section. Some great folks over there.

 

[HanShotFirst]

This is the normal setup: https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATLAS-CRAF...769863?hash=item2397ced4c7:g:0LoAAOSwJJVZuHZX