looking for a turning lathe

[Dmoen]

Guys... been away for aFAR too long, great to be back!
Opened my own Auto shop back in August of this year, things have been going great. looking for a couple things still to be completely set up on my own. next thing i NEED is a turning lathe. doesnt need to be huge, but does need to large enough to cram a sbc crankshaft on.
main use is building ods and ends. seal drivers, plugs, polishing a crank up from time to time.
Anyways been looking on and off for a couple years locally and NOTHING has come up. budget isnt huge either, around 1000-1500. will travel a ways to pick up too. I live in north dakota, any one sees anything i may be interested let me know? thnks

 

[dr_clyde]

As opposed to a non-turning lathe?

So you want an engine lathe, swinging 13-15" over the bed and at least 3 feet between centers?

You're gonna have a hard time finding something that isn't totally clapped out in your budget where you are.

I'd look for a Clausing Colchester, a LeBlond Regal or any other older US iron. Monarch, Lodge and Shipley, Cincinnati, or even South Bend. Look for something that hasn't been totally hammered. Take a machinist friend with you to inspect things like bed wear, lash in the gears, headstock and tailstock condition, feed and threading rod condition, etc.

You want a 15 x 60, realistically. Pretty compact, but has enough bed to put a crank between centers and still be able to do some work on it.

You may be able to find something just above scrap for that money, but you're looking at 3 grand or so to get something that is reliable and in good shape.

You may not NEED a nice lathe for what you do, I don't really know. I would just hate to spend money on a worn out machine that will frustrate you when you do need some accuracy.

 

[EdT]

North Dakota is a big state and there may not be any of this kind of activity nearby, but oil field machine shops come and go like the wind so maybe something around.