Atlas QC54 Lathe

[Maui]

I've got an atlas QC54 lathe that is in good working condition. It is a 10" bench lathe with 36" between centers, and has a quick change gear box. I bought it from the son of the previous owner, who apparently got it from his father. The lathe was built between 1948 and 1958. I just moved, and realize that I have to downsize my tool collection (how wrong does that sound?), so I'm not going to keep this lathe. I know that I could part it out on Ebay to make more from it, but that is sacrilege to me. Why part out a good working lathe? My problem is I have no idea what it is worth.

Can anybody give me an idea of what it may be worth? I know that you will probably want to see some pictures so I've added a few from my cell phone. They're not great quality but will give you an idea of what condition it's in. Right now it's still sitting in the trailer disassembled for transport. Any input would be welcome. Thanks.

 

[Tim338]

What part of the country are you in? That would help determine value. I am in Michigan and that lathe around here is worth $600 or so depending on what's included as far as tooling, etc.......

 

[Maui]

Thanks for the reply. I'm located in upstate New York. I have not seen very many of these lathes around here, especially in this condition. When you do find them they're usually covered in rust, or not working. This one is in good working condition. It comes with some tooling including the steady rest shown in the picture, a drill chuck, face plate, three jaw chuck, and a bunch of tool bits.

 

[1982fxr]

about 800-1200 out here since it has quick change box. but this is an old tool wasteland out west. Nothing around.

 

[Tim338]

Check Craigslist and other similar listings for a lathe about like this one and see what there selling for you might get an idea on its value locally. You could also try the big "E -b%@" auction site I have seen lathes like this sell for crazy money lately.

 

[Maui]

I did look at Craigslist and on EBay - no luck. There weren 't any for sale that I could find that were the same as mine.

 

[2oolhound]

I have the exact same lathe. I got it from a guy who "inherited" it in a house he just bought. 3 +4 jaw chucks, steady rest and some surface rust that cleaned up easily for $325. After cleaning it up I think it is worth $7 - 800. I think you will loose points for having it dis-assembled. Newbies especialy would like to see demo of it running.

 

[Maui]

It was disassembled because I am in the process of moving to a new house. I'll put it back together and get it up and running again at my new house before listing it for sale.

 

[zkling]

Need better pics, accurate assessment of condition, and list of tooling or "extras" that will be included.

What number do you have in your head?

 

[juwasco]

Looks kinda worn out...Hows about $50 and you cover shipping?

 

[Provincial]

Paint is the best investment you can make in a resale item like this. If it was a specialized collector item, it would be different, but these lathes are pretty common.

I have a QC42 that I rebuilt/restored. I see similar ones no were near as nice as yours asking about $1,000.00, but small lathes are in short supply around here. You have enough tooling for yours to make it turn-key, so you can ask a price near the high end of your local scale.

 

[malibulvr]

I'm in NY, I don't think you could get much more than $800. Good luck

This one has been around for awhile.

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/tls/4650002964.html

 

[Fretters]

Paint is the best investment you can make in a resale item like this.

Only if you want to instantly lose a portion of potential buyers. A fresh paint job is like a red warning flag. Occasionally done well for a restoration, but mostly done badly and/or hiding something. Leaving something as is and letting the new owner do with it as they will is by far the safer and more appealing option.

 

[back2class]

Back in CT a decade ago they were around for $300-400ish. Here in GA now more like $700-800 but not a ton of them or buyers here so that can vary a lot. I would guess upstate NY in the $500 range.

 

[Maui]

The number that I was thinking was around $750.00, which seems to fall in the middle (more or less) of where everyone here seems to say it could be priced.

 

[Maui]

Well, I sold the lathe a few weeks ago to a retired machinist. He was happy to find it, and was surprised at the condition it was in. His wife actually asked me why I didn't list it for $1,200, and I told her that I could have but decided against it. I didn't want to do the negotiating dance back and forth and just put what I thought was a reasonable price on it instead. I wanted $850.00. After looking the lathe over carefully and trying it out on a piece of brass he didn't even negotiate. He just paid the asking price. Thanks everyone for your help on this.

Maui