maxpower_hd
Well-known member
I just got this old Atlas Lathe and am setting it up at work. It's model 111, sn 9532. I can't seem to find much info online about the age. It seems to be fully operational and has tooling, chucks, etc. 
Atlas Lath
- Thread starter maxpower_hd
- Start date
skeer
Well-known member
Nice! If your headstock has Timken bearings then there's a decent chance the mfg/assembly date is inscribed on the outer race. The unit I used to have was 1939, before they used the metal serial/model tags. With that different styled apron, and your headstock pulley cover I'm placing a $2 bet its around 1948-1950
RTM
Well-known member
Might this help? Guess not too many dates there.
This is light on details
thewhittlingguide.com
Maybe here, this has lots of entries.
This is light on details
What Year Is My Atlas Lathe - The Whittling Guide
It is often difficult to identify the year of an Atlas lathe, given its vintage nature. This problem is common for consumers who purchase secondhand options
thewhittlingguide.com
Maybe here, this has lots of entries.
Atlas/Craftsman Serial Numbers and Bearing Dates (if applicable) For Database Entries
Edited with title change 20200627 In the combined machine database (742 entries to date) there are 180 10" entries, 21 of which show no serial numbers. There are 113 Craftsman entries, 19 or which show no serial numbers. Plus we only have 30 10" and 22 12" bearing dates for Timken equipped...
www.hobby-machinist.com
Look that particular lathe up under Clausing.
OP
maxpower_hd
Well-known member
I did look at both those links and wasn't able to find mine. I'll look at the bearings next.Might this help? Guess not too many dates there.
This is light on details
What Year Is My Atlas Lathe - The Whittling Guide
It is often difficult to identify the year of an Atlas lathe, given its vintage nature. This problem is common for consumers who purchase secondhand options
Maybe here, this has lots of entries.
Atlas/Craftsman Serial Numbers and Bearing Dates (if applicable) For Database Entries
Edited with title change 20200627 In the combined machine database (742 entries to date) there are 180 10" entries, 21 of which show no serial numbers. There are 113 Craftsman entries, 19 or which show no serial numbers. Plus we only have 30 10" and 22 12" bearing dates for Timken equipped...www.hobby-machinist.com
skeer
Well-known member
I think it's this one: http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=39608
OP
maxpower_hd
Well-known member
It does look very much like that one. Mine is model 111 serial 9532. It has the tag on the right side. I could not readily see the bearings without taking some things apart.
OP
maxpower_hd
Well-known member
Actually now that I am on lunch I was able to easily take off the chuck and the nut behind it. The bearing says 10-17-50. So apparently it is a 1950. Thanks guys for the help. Now I just need to learn how to use it! Not bad for FREE.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
Apparently Atlas records were either not that great or they got tossed out over the years. Unlike some brands that kept very good records (Logan was able to tell me when my lathe was built, as well as the reseller they sold it to) most serial number references for Atlas machines are based off of finding one near your number where it is known when it was sold. There are fewer and fewer of those original owners of the older machines still with us to provide that information.
Apparently one major way to determine approximate age is the bed thickness, the Craftsman lathes went to a thicker 1/2" bed way vs 3/8" around 1950-52. In the late 50s, there was a significant redesign of the lathe. Atlas dropped their 10" lathe for a new 12". This later model 12" was also sold by Sears as a Craftsman until the 1980s.
Apparently one major way to determine approximate age is the bed thickness, the Craftsman lathes went to a thicker 1/2" bed way vs 3/8" around 1950-52. In the late 50s, there was a significant redesign of the lathe. Atlas dropped their 10" lathe for a new 12". This later model 12" was also sold by Sears as a Craftsman until the 1980s.