Is this lathe worth this?
- Thread starter xtremek
- Start date
crguy
Well-known member
If it's in good condition that's not a bad price for a basic home shop lathe. I've never seen one that wasn't 110.
rsanter
Well-known member
That age and size, I would be at $250, $300 at most.
That is unless it has a bunch of tooling
Bob
That is unless it has a bunch of tooling
Bob
woody 73
Well-known member
$400 is not out of line in my area, the smaller ones go for big money. If you think about it how many people have the room to store a monster lathe, have three phase power, the means to move the lathe (or pay movers), and the much needed space in their man caves.
So the average Joe would have the single phase power, the room and not need any help in moving any small lathes, which in turn why the higher prices that they can go for.
So the average Joe would have the single phase power, the room and not need any help in moving any small lathes, which in turn why the higher prices that they can go for.
Maui
Well-known member
You might be able to negotiate a little bit depending on what (if any) tooling comes with it. What is the swing and the distance between centers? This is not a quick change model, so be sure that it comes with ALL of the change gears. If it doesn't, then you will be looking for the ones you don't have on Ebay, and they will not be cheap.
Maui
Maui
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Yep...see what tooling comes with it first, then you'll have to see how much backlash is in the lathe. If it's excessive, you may want to look for something else. If it doesn't have any tooling, then I would talk it down. I sold one a couple of years ago that was super nice with all of the gears, a bunch of tooling, and a nice table to set it on for $600.
Your not goingto get hurt at $400. If this is a first lathe then look at it an investment in a training aid. Once you have learned to operate the machine and found it's limits then you will know what to look for in your next lathe. Even if you sell it for $200 you still have a cheap education. Most likely when you outgrow the machine you will be able to pass it on for what you have in in.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
This one doeshave some, but not all the gears. It didn't seem to have much tooling. It's been on CL for a few months now. I've worked a lathe before, but I've never had one of my own. I'm thinking it wouldn't get a ton of use, so that's why I'm not looking for anything big, just bushings and inserts for suspension stuff.
bubinga
Well-known member
what size is it?
is it a 10" or the little 6" (618)?
is it a 10" or the little 6" (618)?
Provincial
Well-known member
This is an early lathe, probably 9 inch Metalmaster. It would not have roller bearings in the headstock.
More information here:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/craftsman/page2.html
More information here:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/craftsman/page2.html
tombell572
Well-known member
Provincial is correct--its a 9" atlas. This is the first model lathe sold by Atlas and is somewhat rare. I'll echo the above comments and say that $400 is a fair price if wear is minimal and some basic tooling is included. I'd want a 3 and 4 jaw chuck, faceplate and dog driver at least. Change gears are available on Ebay-check the thread chart that should be on the lathe and see which gears are present and which one you will have to find. I've also seen user's manuals on eBay.
Its a light duty machine but functional if light cuts are taken. It has plain bearings in the headstock and will require oiling before each use.
Tom B.
Its a light duty machine but functional if light cuts are taken. It has plain bearings in the headstock and will require oiling before each use.
Tom B.
partsproduction
Well-known member
Atlas machine tools were marketed towards amateurs who don't know yet how better lathes are made. An example, Zamak gears and handles. I don't want to irritate Atlas owners, after all the first lathe I ever ran was my dad's Atlas. As a boy of 13 I knew even then that real lathes don't have flat beds (Excepting very large lathes).
If you can get one cheap enough you can figure out how to make it stay in adjustment and sell it for what you paid for it when you decide to buy a better lathe. But any lathe is far FAR better than no lathe at all. I'd save up for a better one though.
If you can get one cheap enough you can figure out how to make it stay in adjustment and sell it for what you paid for it when you decide to buy a better lathe. But any lathe is far FAR better than no lathe at all. I'd save up for a better one though.
Dr Stan
Well-known member
That's your negotiating tool. Low ball him & see what he takes.
It appears to have a DuPont overhaul, so check out the mechanical condition very closely.
In reality its an old low end lathe and was also sold by Montgomery Wards. Cheap cast gears & other parts that do not hold up well.
IMHO it would be best to clean it up and put it on display, under the glass top on a coffee table for example.
So I'd keep looking. A South Bend (my first lathe to run & later own) are fractionally better. A Logan, a Rockwell, or a school shop Clausing would be your best bets. If you can find a Boxford http://www.lathes.co.uk/boxford/index.html or a manual Emco-Maier http://www.lathes.co.uk/emco/ in good or better condition you'll be the envy of the forum.
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ez-duzit
Well-known member
Avoid bare lathes at all cost, especially antiques. Look for one that comes with a bunch of tooling.
My Old Tools
Well-known member
Oh please. A South Bend is a huge step up from an Atlas and on par with Logans of similar size. Tons of serious work is performed on SBs today and in the past. Rockwells are nice but you'll never find parts and gearboxes are subject to damage. Clausings are nice but several suffer from drive issues. Sheldons are rock solid, heavier and more rigid than SBs in the same size. Avoid the Chinese 9" lathes at all cost. Getting a lathe with tooling is nice, but you'll still pay for it if the owner knows anything. Otherwise the owner can just part out the tooling so why give it away.
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bubinga
Well-known member
I'm sure his wife would want that lathe on the coffee table.
To me the most important question is if you have room for a larger lathe? I've seen quite a few decent lathes around here over the last year for little more than what you're talking about now. I scored one for $150 with a bunch of tooling, so it pays to keep looking.
crguy
Well-known member
Atlas lathes were sold by Sears. Wards sold Logan lathes.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
As everyone has said.. get some tooling, at least a tool holder, drill chuck, and a 3 jaw chuck. Too bad the change gears are not with it. I'm guessing they'll be hard to find... but someone certainly could make them if needed....
partsproduction
Well-known member
I always wondered why every home doesn't have a small lathe on it's coffee table. We have a small display case in the front room with a Super Adept lathe, several vises and a miniature high speed drill press in it. The nice thing is it doesn't
attract thieves whereas a gun display is an invitation to them.
Here's the ad, https://flint.craigslist.org/tls/5922893312.html. I'm going to look at it today, I hope. How much backlash on the cross slide(?) is acceptable. Same for the carriage? I hope that's what they're called. I have a dial indicator and mag base and I know how to use them. So be afraid, very afraid. 
:
:pepi
Well-known member
400 bucks looks like a good buy for what you want it for, your post does read that you want to revisit a tool you once used. Cannot see you getting hurt at all, run it. Maybe take a pice of round bar, have him mount a 3 jaw and take a few cuts. That will tell you the most.
The value is right if you like what you see, as to the gearing ........ ? who knows how much thread cutting are you planing on doing if ever?
A lathe is a great tool for exactly what you are after, bushings, boring, trimming part to fit, do not get all hung up in spec that you may never use.
The only draw back if it were for me is the age. Might make using new age tooling somewhat harder, when adapting it to the machine. Because of that the cost could be unpleasant.
There is a lot of advantaged with the QCTP, the blocks, and tools with carbide inserts. That make a huge difference in finish, and setup, just saying.
You will be pleased and the machine will work great for your needs. You get down the road and really find a need for a more updated lathe, then go for it.
BTW:every machine has back lash .. that is why the DRO is so desired, plus it can be compensated for, that's what a machinist does.
The condition of the way is much more important. Close up by the chuck area, tail stock, and carriage should slide smooth, without a lot of slop over the way.
You mention having an indicator and knowing how to use it. Well good make sure you are not nitpicking a used lathe beyond a realistic expectation of what you have in front of you. Shooting ones self in the foot and walk away from a decent purchase.
Greg
The value is right if you like what you see, as to the gearing ........ ? who knows how much thread cutting are you planing on doing if ever?
A lathe is a great tool for exactly what you are after, bushings, boring, trimming part to fit, do not get all hung up in spec that you may never use.
The only draw back if it were for me is the age. Might make using new age tooling somewhat harder, when adapting it to the machine. Because of that the cost could be unpleasant.
There is a lot of advantaged with the QCTP, the blocks, and tools with carbide inserts. That make a huge difference in finish, and setup, just saying.
You will be pleased and the machine will work great for your needs. You get down the road and really find a need for a more updated lathe, then go for it.
BTW:every machine has back lash .. that is why the DRO is so desired, plus it can be compensated for, that's what a machinist does.
The condition of the way is much more important. Close up by the chuck area, tail stock, and carriage should slide smooth, without a lot of slop over the way.
You mention having an indicator and knowing how to use it. Well good make sure you are not nitpicking a used lathe beyond a realistic expectation of what you have in front of you. Shooting ones self in the foot and walk away from a decent purchase.
Greg
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bczygan
Well-known member
Offer him $300 and settle at $350. Great deal, especially if comes with what's in the cabinet. 4 jaw chuck is a plus and has a thread dial. May be missing only 3 gears.
Careful loading it. Get a modern tool holder for it.
Careful loading it. Get a modern tool holder for it.
The feed screw retainer assembly looks to be home made (tail end). The original apparatus was designed to fail under a certain degree of force to protect other parts in those circumstances. I hope it wasn't beefed up.
Looks like a fair bit of extras thrown in. It seems like a decent deal depending on the condition. He has a dial indicator so you probably don't need to bring one.
Looks like a fair bit of extras thrown in. It seems like a decent deal depending on the condition. He has a dial indicator so you probably don't need to bring one.
bubinga
Well-known member
Don't look bad at all, esp with the stand.
Esp. if you can get it for $300.00, or $350.00
Esp. if you can get it for $300.00, or $350.00
Lahti35
Well-known member
Doug Arthurs
Well-known member
Problem with lathes is they are addictive. I started with a 10" Atlas and am now on my third lathe.
454ragtop
Well-known member
Depends how serious you are and how much space and effort you are willing to dedicate to a lathe. If this is a serious purchase, skip this and go spend a few grand on a 10x more capable lathe. If you just want something to tinker with, and have never ran a lathe before, you will learn lots with minimal investment.
bczygan
Well-known member
I don't see myself using a lathe a bunch, just a few times a year. Also, $1k+ is way out of my price range. $600-$750 is stretching my budget a long way. I'd rather spend the money on a band saw or TIG, which I would use a lot more. Life in the cheap lane.
Why aren't you reporting on how you negotiated and picked this up yet???
I'm only going to give you so much time before I call the seller...
Bill
bczygan
Well-known member
Update:
Just called the guy.
He sold it yesterday.
Anyone here?
Just called the guy.
He sold it yesterday.
Anyone here?
454ragtop
Well-known member
See rule #5. http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=158513
Lahti35
Well-known member
Yeah, he was supposed to get back to me yesterday, but never did. I was going to call him this afternoon, but you saved me the effortBack to the search.
Here's a southbend OBO...
http://southbend.craigslist.org/tls/5936050326.html
Maui
Well-known member
Ragtop,
Who are the Deumling brothers (Rule #16)?
Who are the Deumling brothers (Rule #16)?
454ragtop
Well-known member
Maui, I wasn't at all familiar with that rule, so I did a search, and apparently it refers to 2 brothers on OWWM that have done some nice restorations. Here's a thread by one of the brothers, screen name 9watts, showing how he acquired a Unisaw, brought it home on a trailer behind a bicycle, then formed a cover for the motor out of laminated plywood, pretty neat. http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=163352&p=1107299&hilit=Deumling+brothers#p1107299
bubinga
Well-known member
Offer $500.00.
Nothing to loose.
The SB has a better apron, and a quick change gear box too.
Heaver duty lathe too.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Ditto to that ^.. tell them the bench is not OE... deal breaker. Gotta buy a real one at $350 or some such..... Go For It!!
And don't forget the tooling, chucks, etc.....