Atlas lathe question

[WhoWhatNow]

I have been thinking about getting a metal lathe for a while now. I don't really have any specific use for it right now but I want to learn. I'm not in any real hurry, but of I find a deal I am going to jump on it. Which brings me to my question. I found a Atlas lathe on CraigsList for pretty cheap. I called the guy and asked about it. He doesn't have any tooling or a chuck and he said it needs to be cleaned up. He also said it was "a little loose." What could that mean exactly? Is it just set screws and shims or wear on parts that would require replacement? I'm going to look at it tomorrow. What should I look for exactly? Thanks!

 

[larry_g]

If it is a couple hundred bucks and runs get it. Consider it a textbook that you learn from. Once you get it running and learn some you will have a minimal investment in an education. If you don't like that idea then take someone along with you that does know something about machine tools. No tooling, chucks, and a little loose probably means a money pit that will get you a lightweight lathe.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I'm kind of afraid of it being a money pit. He has it priced at 100. I figured for that price even if I need to buy tooling I may make out OK. Atlas tooling seems to be plentiful on eBay. I'm just worried about the loose comment. What would I look at to figure out what it will need?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Found the ad:

He is selling it for a relative.

May be worth $100 for scrap or parts if it is too far gone.

Chris

 

[NC Fabricator25]

Hi, first post to the site. I think PA and that part of the country has lathes (and all other machinery related goodies) in more quantity and at cheaper prices that other regions, but a $100 seems like an absolute steal to me. Around here (NC), older 10" / 11" benchtop lathes in fair running condition with no tooling sell very quickly for +/- $500. I assume it has a single phase motor with it, and unless you note some sort of significant failure with the machine, I would scoop it up at that price. Like another poster said, it would be a good machine to learn on and you could always sell it when you are ready to upgrade, and probably get more $.

Here's a site with some advice on how to evaluate a lathe quickly and with limited resources that may be useful to you:

http://www.mermac.com/advicenew.html

Good luck and get pictures if you buy it!

PS: my advice might be a little different if you find out that it is one of the tiny 6" swing benchtop machines that appear to weight about 60lbs.....I think Atlast and Craftsman both sold them. It might be fine for what you need, but I don't have much knowledge of pricing on those little lathes.

 

[NC Fabricator25]

OK, looks like Shadowdog500 just posted a pic a minute or so before my previous post. With that picture to look at I'd say $100 is about right. I see it in pieces with a lot of rust, no way to really evaluate a lathe like that for wear, but I would assume it has seen it's better days.

I'd offer that it depends on your budget and preferences. I like buying basket cases and have limited funding, so I might bite on that one. But if you have a higher budget and want to get right into working with the lathe, you may want to pass.

Good luck! David

 

[Jack Burton]

WhoWhatNow, you said you wanted a lathe, not a year long project. In that state, it's gonna be hard to tell what is and isn't there and what's worn or not. If the ways have anything more than paper thin surface rust, I'd pass on that heap.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Here is a well tooled good looking Logan lathe near you for $850.

You'll probably have more than that just in in blood sweat and tears in the Atlas.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/2660146706.html

 

[eyeboltman]

I would pass Don't work need chuck and tail stock plus a drill chuck And you are new to it ?Best to try to get one with all the tooling 300-500 Larger is better .the 850$ one looks good pricey but IT's all there ? Thanks , Sorry the 850 $ is all there and a fair price !

 

[Shadowdog500]

..the 850 one looks good pricey but all there ?

Whats missing??
Looks all there to me.

Chris

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Chris- thanks for posting the picture. Power is out here and I'm posting from my iPhone while carving pumpkins before it gets dark.

Dave - the is an awesome site. Thanks for posting it. Gives me a little confidence I will be able to tell if it is junk or not.

I don't mind a project, I just want to know i will have a chance of turning it into a working machine. If I can do it on the cheap even better!

I saw the Logan and it is really nice but it is out of my price range. Of course that may just mean I should hold off until I can swing $850!

This will be the first one I actually go to look at and I'm not in a rush. We'll see. Hope the bad weather keeps others away until I get there!

 

[John in OH]

The Atlas lathes, also sold by Sears under Craftsman name (not to be confused with very small 6" Craftsman lathes that were junk), were pretty low end lathes. This is not to say that an Atlas lathe in good condition can not do good work, I'm just saying they were an economy lathe ... for instance, you'll note that the ways on the bed are perfectly flat, not "V" style as on South Bends, Logans, or Sheldons (which are all better homeowner lathes).

Considering the condition of this lathe as shown in Shadowdog500's photo and the seller's term that the lathe is " a little loose" (read badly worn!!) and I think you should pass on this machine. Typically, "looseness" can not be adjusted out of a low-end lathe. The pile of junk in the photo is NOT worth $100. Don't spend your money on a junk machine tool ... you will experience no end of frustration. Save your $100, add a few more $$ to it, and buy something decent.

NC Fabricator25 is right on regarding the availability of older machine tools in the PA-OH-MI area ... there are LOTS of old machines available in the Cleveland-Akron-Youngstown-Pittsburgh region if you take some time and look around. You will probably have to spend more than $100, but you should be able to find a small, older lathe that is complete, not worn out, and not a rust bucket, for around $250-800.

Study the http://www.mermac.com/advicenew.html site so that you will be able to evaluate and identify a good lathe when you find it.

 

[Thedroid]

I would hold off until you can afford something usable since you are just starting to learn. Once you have the basics down, and are comfortable using the lathe in different operations, you'll have an idea what you want. I don't care much for Atlas lathes, and most will be loose due to the flat ways.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Oh, If you need parts or tooling you may want to try Cooks machine in Williamstown NJ. http://www.cooktoolandmachine.com/ They have a **** load of old machine shop stuff. The inventory lists are not always kept current.
While in the area stop in Fazzios.

Chris

 

[Mmfh]

What about offering him $50. If he takes it than you have something to screw around with. New toy to learn from. If it takes to much to bring it back just scrap it and get your money back?

 

[blue95glide]

I've owned a bunch of those old atlas lathes. From the picture its missing the tailstock and the change gears along with the chuck. All those parts are available on ebay, but not worth the time and effort to make it whole. As Mmfh suggested if you can get for $50 it would be worth it and you would know what you are looking at if another pops up. I used to live in Delaware county and the machines are around up there. get a copy of the tradin times and in January is the Cabin Fever Expo in York and it is a great place to find machines. On friday they have an auction that runs all day.

 

[chief ben]

I would Pass on it, and i know a lot about lathes & milling machines,
you can tie up a lot of money tring to fix old machines,
Save your money up and buy a Good machine,
and take some one with you when you buy a used one that knows something about used machines, Good Luck The Old Chief

 

[fomocoforrester]

I would definately agree with those who say pass. You'd spend too much time learning about cleaning rusty metal, rather than getting on with the buisness of making chips.

Bed wear is the hardest thing to fix on a lathe and it's quite difficult to do a quick assessment on a flat way bed. Whereas with a V way bed like a South Bend, where the carriage rides on the V ways and the tailstock rides on a V way and a flat way, it's much easier to do a quick check.

Simply set up a dial gauge on the carriage to read off the tailstock. Then wind both the carriage and the tailstock together along the bed with the carriage wheel and if you get more than, say, a 15-20 thou. reading on the gauge - then it's probably seriously worn.

 

[larry_g]

After seeing the picture of the Atlas I'd say again that your buying an education there. To bring that Atlas to the condition of the Logan there you would easily have the same money into it. I would venture that the second picture of all the parts in the Logan pictures would sell for near $400 if parted out. You are going to have to buy all that for the Atlas plus more. That Logan is the same machine that I had for my second lathe, the first was a 6" Atlas. Moving from the 6" Atlas to the Logan was a huge jump in capabilities of the machine. I've now moved up to the pair of Sheldons in my build thread and the move from the Logan To Sheldon was another leap in capabilities. I think that I may have 2 or 3 leaps yet to make.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ridemc64]

Did you see this one? http://delaware.craigslist.org/tls/2675417078.html
It's in De county Pa. The guy says he'll deliver if your serious.
Good luck!

 

[Zeke]

That thing was put outside to die. Let it die.

That is unless you have a lot of time and want to explore. But when you're done, you'll have a 600 dollar lathe on a good day. Consider what it's gonna take ($) to actually turn out a part before you jump in.

I'd give 50 bucks for an old Atlas drill press looking like that. Or an old cast iron table saw. These are very useful tools for anyone every day.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Well??

How did it look in person?

Or were you too buried in snow to look at it?

Chris

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I meant to post on Monday morning but never got the chance. I decided to pass on this lathe. I have a lot of projects right now and I don’t think I would get this one done anytime soon. Also, I took a look at the link Chris posted for Cook Tool and Machinery and it looks like they have two Southbends for $650. It sounds like I would be into this project for pretty close to that and still not have as capable as a lathe. I think I will wait until I have the funds for something in better shape. There is not shortage of lathes on Craigslist around here. Thanks to all who replied. If I happen on to a deal I will post it here.

 

[Shadowdog500]

IMHO you made the right move. Put some money aside and wait. Good lathes seem to be for sale on a fairly regular basis. If you can get one with all the tooling you will be ready to run it from the start.

The cooks website is not updated as often as it should be so there is no guarantee that those two lathes will be there. However, they have a ton of stuff that rotates on a regular basis. You could probably go there every week and see different stuff every week.

Chris

 

[ar2stp48]

Atlas: Could have been a good learning experience for buying another lathe at a later time; you would have understood what to look at closely. The wear was most likely in the cross slide and compound----both adjustable with the gibbs Both brass nuts could have been replaced for $50. As long as you are satisfied, all is well; get to know the parts of a lathe and your next shopping venture will be more comfortable

Logan: No way. Too high and look at that stack of gears. My Atlas was sold and replaced with a Southbend to get a quick change gearbox.

 

[fomocoforrester]

..... The wear was most likely in the cross slide and compound----both adjustable with the gibbs

The gibbs will only allow you to adjust the slides at the point of least wear. The rest of the travel will still have play that can only be eliminated by scraping or recutting the dovetails.

.....Both brass nuts could have been replaced for $50.

But you are still left with the screw wear and consequent backlash.

 

[eyeboltman]

Whats missing??
Looks all there to me.

Chris

The 850$ machine looks great I meant. the 100 $ machine Is Rough I had .3 small lathes over the years Found one 3 jaw chuck for 5$ after I clean it I found the body was crack ! The 850$ machine looks great and you could get pointers from the guy'