Craftsman lathe value

[fairlane1320]

Long time listener, first time caller...

My father passed away recently, and we are cleaning out his garage. Can anyone give me an idea on what this lathe is worth?

Thanks Ron

 

[organ]

That thing is in great shape! Is that the original chipping I see?

 

[nine4gmc]

How long is the bed and how much swing, looks like a 12x36 or maybe a 10"

The accessories are what gets expensive, that tool post grinder is probably worth as much or more than the lathe itself. Are there any other tooling parts laying around that you can get pics of?

 

[nine4gmc]

And do you have the change gears? That lathe does not have the gearbox.

 

[organ]

And my condolences about your father...

 

[Troutsqueezer]

There's a good chance it was made by Atlas. Not a bad machine but not a heavyweight. Good for hobbyists. Since it isn't as solid as some, there may be some tweaking on parts that should be rigid. Tooling does add value.

 

[56FordGuy]

Craftsman lathes were made by Atlas, they were the first 'consumer' lathes that were intended for a home shop. Yours looks to be in great shape. Like nine4gmc said, the size and any additional tooling/ accessories like chucks or faceplates, a steady rest, the change gears, cutting/ threading/ turning tools, etc will all have an effect on the value.

 

[zkling]

It is worth what someone is willing to pay. Put it on ebay and call it a day. Gather up all the associated tooling and sell it as one lot. Keep shipping in mind.

 

[organ]

That thing's gonna be a real headache to ship...

 

[sasquatch12]

I believe the "Tool post grinder" is a Mica undercutter for armatures is it not?
The value of that lathe and tooling flucuates like crazy depending on your'e location.
In some areas it would sell for maybe $600.00,, but in other areas they would sell easily for twice that or more depending on what tooling came with it.
It appears in pretty nice clean condition.

 

[Outlawmws]

Craftsman lathes were made by Atlas, they were the first 'consumer' lathes that were intended for a home shop. Yours looks to be in great shape. Like nine4gmc said, the size and any additional tooling/ accessories like chucks or faceplates, a steady rest, the change gears, cutting/ threading/ turning tools, etc will all have an effect on the value.

Not all Craftsman lathes were made by Atlas. However I'm 99.9% certain that one was. Check the model No. and see if it starts with "101". if so, it's an Atlas. That one is probably late 30's maybe mid 40's

As mentioned, it's worth what someone is wiling to pay. also as mentioned, Tooling is EVERYTHING.

That one is old enough that it has another detraction: It uses manual change gears for speeds and feeds and thread pitch, not a quick change gear box; so the value takes a hit compared to an equivalent one with the QC.

It is in very nice cosmetic condition, but that does not mean its not worn heavily. Another major factor for value.

Sorry, but too many unknowns for anyone to place an accurate price on it which would also be geographically dependent as mentioned.

 

[larry_g]

You have $500 to $2000 setting there. As said a lot depends on what is included in the deal. The lathe as pictured not so much, add in that special chuck in the tail stock, and the undercutter and things start to climb. Now you have teased us with some things hanging on the wall just out of the picture, show them then dollars start to add. You need someone knowledgeable to come in and help you identify all the small bits that help make that lathe a usable tool. Its those small bits that move the package toward the high end of my estimate.

Your seeking out the hobbiest/collector to buy that lathe as it is no longer commercially a viable tool. You just missed one of the largest shows in the country, http://www.namesexposition.com/expo.htm , in your state. You might still contact them and see if anyone in your area would be willing to help evaluate what you have.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[fairlane1320]

And my condolences about your father...

Thank you, he was a great man. I was very lucky to have him around for 49 years! He rebuilt heavy truck alternators and starters for almost 60 years, and always took care of his tools and equipment. I'm guessing he last used it about two years ago.

Thanks for all the responses, I knew you guys would be a big help. I will get over there this week and get more info and pictures. Shipping this thing isn't really something we want to deal with.

Where would I look for the model number?

 

[Outlawmws]

Mod. No. plates tended to move around on the Atlas lathes but mostly I've seen them on the tailstock end of the main way near the legs. It could be in the back or the end, but if it's not there, keep looking...

 

[jakemac]

I think the model number is on the back of the gear head near the bottom, on a metal plate. Or, it might be on the side under the hinged cover. I can't remember.

 

[56FordGuy]

I would check near the tailstock end of the bed, often times the model tag could be found there. Can you take a picture of the area right behind the chuck? If this is an Atlas lathe, which I believe it is, it may be either babbit bearings in the headstock or roller bearings.

A measurement of the swing and length of the bed would be good as well. It looks nearly identical to my Atlas.

 

[Zeke]

That is a 6" chuck so it's a 12" swing. Pretty sure the work length is 36". I sold that exact lathe early in 2013 and managed a pretty quick $1100 with min tooling. Prices in SoCal tend to run higher. I wouldn't take less than $750 bare bones.

Find out what else there is that goes with it. A few drawers of lathe tools and you may be up to $1500. Or maybe not. That's South Bend territory.

 

[WWIIjeep]

I believe the "Tool post grinder" is a Mica undercutter for armatures is it not?

Yes, it is, and it's probably almost as valuable to some people as the bare lathe is by itself.

 

[Outlawmws]

It appears to be this one from the 1938 catalog:

 

[rsanter]

For what I see there I am thinking the range of $400 to $600
If you have other parts or accessories then the price can go up from there.

If you really want max bucks you can take the armature cutter ( that is what it is) and sell it seperatly as most people do not want them but a few people do. And that part is easy to ship.
With the lathe the cutter adds perhaps $50 to $75 bucks
Apart from the lathe you may get $100 to $150

Bob

 

[mr overdunne]

If it truly was your dads its priceless. You will understand that 10 years from now.

 

[Tim338]

Where are you at in Mid Michigan?
Although Atlas lathes are fairly common around here the one you have is really clean, I would think the value is $600 or so with out any change gears or tooling. If you have the change gears and/or tooling I would ask $750-$800. Atlas lathes don't have the greatest reputation but if you use them knowing there limitations they are decent little machines.

 

[Steinmetz]

A bit harsh, methinks. He's only saying, (though I'll admit it's a bit poorly worded), that the lathe likely has far more sentimental value than monetary value, and that it would be lovely to have on display.

Duckface had an embarrassing lapse of decorum and personal sensitivity. He shouldn't require an interpretation of his sentiments from you.

 

[organ]

It appears to be this one from the 1938 catalog:

$77? Sold!

 

[Outlawmws]

Since the original comment you're arguing about has been deleted, it's probably best to simply drop it.

I'll go further: since the offending post was edited, everyone involved do a little self moderating and delete or edit your posts on the topic. Its done.

From another thread where things got out of hand. Not exactly the same but clarifies the position of the mods:

OK, guys. EVERYONE clean it up, and drop the arguments and drama.

Let's talk about our tool finds at yard sales, etc, and NOTHING else on this thread. If you disagree with someone else's opinion, either do so politely, or don't respond at all. No need for aggressive arguments here.

Ok, I've just deleted all those posts with senseless arguments back and forth. I intended to leave them and let well enough alone, until I saw that it had gotten even worse, and Ryan himself stepped in and deleted some of them.

So here is the deal...DO NOT ENGAGE in arguments or verbal drama here, or you will find yourself on the outside looking in at Garage Journal. We all have different points of view, different levels of expertise, different areas of special knowledge, etc. It's ok to disagree, but only in a polite and friendly-sounding manner.

PERIOD.

Now, back to tools we found at yard sales, auctions, etc.

And BTW the usual MO for issues like this is either the thread gets locked or deleted... (and sometimes people get banned...)

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmmm seems to be happening already...

 

[drivesitfar]

Fairlane:i'm not sure anybody can say this enough, but that lathe looks great for a 70+ year old machine. I don't even know how to use one (yet) and i'd like to buy it.

i know it takes up a lot of room and god knows it might take the rest of your life to learn how to use it as well as your Gramps, but if you can find a spot to put it where you can gaze at it and start to learn you might be happier in the long run. i'm thinking it is a great machine to learn on and if you are a member of GJ very long i'm sure you will find help when needed if you have any questions.

 

[uniballer]

He rebuilt heavy truck alternators and starters for almost 60 years.QUOTE]


I thought some of the attachments look familiar, I have a small lathe for turning armatures. I paid 100 for mine in pieces, yours with attachments should go to 1000!

 

[Rust]

wow.

Sorry 'bout your dad.

 

[fairlane1320]

If it truly was your dads its priceless. You will understand that 10 years from now.

I understand that now. Other than his parts inventory, this is the only thing in the garage that we have considered selling. We don't need to sell it, he took care of mom. None of us really have any use for it. It might just stay put. Every thing else stays and will be used by the family. I built my first car in this garage and now have the opportunity to re-do the same car (and my sons car) in there again. That's priceless to me.

I honestly know very little about lathes. The overall length is about 48 inches. What attachments should I be looking for? These maybe?.....

 

[fairlane1320]

I could only get one of my three cars in their at a time!...

 

[nine4gmc]

Those definitely go with the lathe, looks like a home made steady rest on the left, live center in the middle, possibly a tail stock tool holder 3rd and a tool post tool holder far right(looks like a thread cutter or possibly cutoff tool holder, hard to see with plastic).

 

[drivesitfar]

Great choice Fairlane!! also looks like you can add on to the side of that garage if you need to. i love those big sliding doors.

thanks for sharing your thoughts and best of luck learning about your lathe.

check out this thread where another member is asking about information on a metal lathe and there are some links in it where you can do some more research so you can learn how to use yours.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243529


i don't own one yet, but all i hear from the members that do own them is how many things you can make or fix if you use them.

 

[fairlane1320]

I needed room to do **** like this. He sure put up with a lot from his boys!

 

[Outlawmws]

Those definitely go with the lathe, looks like a home made steady rest on the left, live center in the middle, possibly a tail stock tool holder 3rd and a tool post tool holder far right(looks like a thread cutter or possibly cutoff tool holder, hard to see with plastic).

Nine got most of it right: Steady rest, live center, another live center for specialized use (probably the armature shafts...) and I think the far right might be a knurler; are there a couple of grooved wheels on it?

Probably a lot more kicking around in boxes and what not.

 

[WVBrady]

A guy who goes by the name of tubalcain has some excellent videos on u-tube concerning machining, with several of them about lathes. Here is one:

 

[callcoy]

I have the same lathe and thru a unusual situation 45 years ago I was able to bring home the same tooling you have shown. I do not have a steady rest, hope to some day however. My lathe came with a collect adaptation at the head stock and a turret tailstock that takes 6 keyed chucks. Earlier this year we were moving and I thought it would be cheaper to sell it and replace it after we got to Tenn. Started to look at pricing for the same in the San Francisco Bay area and found that the same lathe with simple tooling was bringing $800.00 to $1000.00. That is in a area that has a large population and also a lot of equipt. offered for sale, your sale if you do, most likely be dictated by supply and demand. Personally if it was mine and it is a 12" I would not take less than $1000.00 for the lathe. Most people will not have any use for the generator/starter tooling, however there is a large vintage car following and a lot of guys would give their left arm to have that tooling. I never have seen the collect or turret tailstock offered any place, I am glad I didn't sell the lathe. Your lathe is beautiful, you may want to reconsider parting with it right now. I lucked out a few weeks ago when I had a little free time and went to a barn sale, there on the floor was an Atlas Tool Post Grinder, did a little rewiring and it ran but it has noisy bearings so they said I could have it for $10.00. There is no way that I will ever part with my Lathe now!

 

[bulletpruf]

Ok, I need to hear more about the Fairlanes and Torinos. Care to share some details on what's seen (and what's not) in the pictures? I'm fond of the '66-'67 models myself; only later one I had was a 69 Cobra that I parted out (428 CJ, C6 on column, 3.25 peg leg) - tree fell on it.

Scott