Little Craftsman Lathe

[Stillgottimefor1]

May be able to buy this, it looks like a metal lathe but don’t know, have never used one. Any info about it would be helpful.


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[Corndoggeh]

Hard to see what model but yes that is a metal lathe. Arguably worth a lot more than the bigger lathes because its size makes it easy to fit in a garage or shed. Ive seen a few in similar condition go for ~300 at estate sales in the Southwest.

 

[Toold_up]

Craftsman 109 6" lathe

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Thanks folks, If I can get it I may learn to use it, looks like maybe some tool parts there to go with it.


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[leg17]

These little lathes do not have quick change gear box for thread cutting, or any other variations in feed.
The set of change gears is a vital part of the deal.
The gears, and other attachments, is probably a $100 swing in price.
If it is decent condition, AND has the gear set, maybe $300 or more on a good day.
No gears, average condition, maybe $125 or so.
It is a pretty lightweight machine.

 

[TailGunner3000]

That's a very lightweight machine. Useful for aluminum, brass, even plastic. Not very good for steel.
It's really designed for the beginning hobbyist/model maker.

 

[DenisG]

Made by Double A Products, Manchester, MI circa 1950 for Sears:
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=39585

 

[crguy]

Hard to see what model but yes that is a metal lathe. Arguably worth a lot more than the bigger lathes because its size makes it easy to fit in a garage or shed. Ive seen a few in similar condition go for ~300 at estate sales in the Southwest.

Actually, it's more of a toy than a real lathe. A waste of time and money if you really wanted to learn and use a lathe.

 

[csp]

If that were an Atlas made Craftsman (model starts with 101), the value would be higher even at the same size.

I've never had or run one of the Double A lathes, but I've heard that they can be very frustrating to get accurate cuts with.

 

[Provincial]

No feed dials, to you have to guess how much depth of cut you are taking. OK to play around on, but not to do any useful work.

One sold near here for $100.00 with a set of change gears and a few tool holders, and they were lucky to get that for it.

 

[Toold_up]

Look for something bigger and more complete. Even a harbor freight 7" lathe would be better that that machine because of the condition it's in.

If it were free.... You could learn a lot from using a machine like that.

 

[Corndoggeh]

Actually, it's more of a toy than a real lathe. A waste of time and money if you really wanted to learn and use a lathe.

Oh I know. Thats why I don't own one that small let alone a full size. That doesn't stop people from buying them at estate sales & auctions for insane prices down here.

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Has been really educational watching the reactions to this post...everything from “possibly valuable and interesting “, to “isn’t really a lathe or tool”. Wow. Awhile back I posted about a Black and Decker curiosity that amounts to a drill made into a sander and when I suggested it was a “gimmick “ a man who retired from B and D got really pissed and replied that the venerable company never made any gimmicks...now I’m told that the great Craftsman company made this small lathe that is as practical as a Tennis Bracelet!! Thanks all, most entertaining..[emoji106]. Is a Pontiac Aztec an art object or an abomination?


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[2stroke1971]

Hehehe...
I bought a craftsman 109 a month ago for $50. Most of it was there, somewhat apart. I had a motor for it already. I made a rear bushing/bearing for it as well as some spanners for the headstock. I made a little tool holder for replaceable cutting bits, a boring bar, stuff like that. I spun up a steel rod and did just a bit of cutting with it and it seemed to do fine to me with the modern cutting bit. I am still working on it a bit, I want to get a live center for it and a drill chuck.
For someone who has never run a lathe and has great expectations, maybe it will be a letdown. I use a "real" lathe at work quite a bit. I have no care in the world about making aerospace parts at home, or holding some incredible accuracy. My little 109 will make a nice addition to my shop. And Im having a blast working on it.

 

[Mallen]

May be able to buy this, it looks like a metal lathe but don’t know, have never used one. Any info about it would be helpful.


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That's a "109". It's smaller and lighter than the "618" made by Atlas. It should not be confused with the 618 Atlas sourced lathes. The atlas is considered a far better machine. (Although the atlas is considered a "toy" by some as it is unable to machine the massive propeller shafts that drive nuclear powered aircraft carriers. But that's a whole other conversation. ) If it's cheap, or free, it's probably worth getting as a small lathe is handy. A larger lathe is more handy. A full sized toolroom lathe even more so. But money and space are considerations for most of us. If its not really cheap, then I'd pass. Cheap is relative BTW. If it comes with all the tooling, like vs cutters and attachments and stuff, it's worth a lot more than just the are tool. If it does not have a full set of back gears, it's worth far less. But if they want a bunch of money, or even "what it's really worth", pass. They are way over priced these days.

Is it a worthless toy? I wouldn't go that far. Any lathe at all is better than none. For example, you can't get a bushing the size needed to a rebuild a Holley distributor on an IH SV345 engine. That lathe will make one. Will it be as easy as a better machine? No. But you take a small cut, measure the part. Take another. Measure. You COULD actually do it on a drill press. Mount the tool off center to the table. Chuck up a 1/2"ID bushing and make tiny cuts. But a lathe is far better. A good lathe better still. But in reality, we make due with what we have and use it to fix out stuff.

If you want to learn to run a lathe, here's where to start.

South Bend Lathe Works - Publication Reprints - How To Run A Lathe 55th Edition | VintageMachinery.org

 

[larry_g]

That machine can be a good learning tool. Worthless, no, when your done with it you can sell it on down the line and recoup your money. But when you sell it you will be a better educated buyer of the next lathe you buy. You will know the features that you want to have.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[bmwrd0]

I have both that lathe and a larger 618. As others have said, it is more a toy than something you can make accurate parts in a modern way, but you can learn a lot about metalwork in a very small space. And that appeals to a lot of people. This is probably the best site to learn about these machines, and you do have to remember that there are no dials on the feeds so you are on your own as to how much you are taking off of a piece of metal. There is also good information here also. As long as you understand the limitations you will be fine. There is a lot of information on the web, but beware, there is a lot of dislike of these little guys as well.

 

[Walkers]

Biggest problem with that lathe is the spindle is really tiny. If you take too deep a cut you bend the spindle. It has a ‘zero’ Morse taper in the spindle.