Looking into buying an old lathe.

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Found this old lathe at an auction, if it goes in my price range I may pick it up. Was wondering if anyone recognizes what it is or it its just trash.

 

[DocsMachine]

I don't recognize it directly, but the no-compound cross-slide design says "pre-1900". I'd hazard a guess of 1870-1880, but I could be off a decade or two either way.

With a good deal of care and cleanup, it could be used for actual work, you've got all the basics there- including a taper attachment, which was rather rare back in the day.

But honestly, it'd be 'garage art'. Clean and shine it up more as a display piece than an actual working lathe.

Doc.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

If I win I’d like to get it to a workable state, just to putter around with and make the occasional part for something.

 

[cvairwerks]

It's late enough to have V type ways and it's got a taper attachment. S/N and maker info will probably be stamped on the bed near one end or the other. A photo from the other side would help on identity.

 

[lzenglish]

If I win I’d like to get it to a workable state, just to putter around with and make the occasional part for something.

Good Luck My Friend ! As You May Know, a Good Working Lathe is all about Precision, so Check the Ways, and Bearings for Runout. You have a Lot of Cleanup Ahead, Just To See What You Actually Have!

LZ

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Unfortunately its an online only auction and those are the only pics and there is no preview date…

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Found this image online, looks pretty similar, maybe you can id it from this if you fellas think its the same.

 

[lzenglish]

Unfortunately its an online only auction and those are the only pics and there is no preview date…

Take a Chance Then, "I Would", Depending on the Price ! I hope You Get It, and It Is a Winner!

LZ

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Thanks! Me too!

 

[tom in nh]

That 4 jaw chuck is enormous.
I question if it even fits that lathe.
If not, you can sell it to recoup your cost$$$.....

 

[WisJim]

Looks like a steady rest in the box on the ground, too, so that adds to the value. Just going by the pictures, if it was within a half hour drive, I'd pay $100 to $200, if I wanted a new project that might end up as a usable tool. The various chucks and other parts and the legs might be worth much more than that if it were parted out, if it wasn't usable.

 

[i4ni]

Cast iron legs are worth a couple hundred to the right person

 

[DocsMachine]

The various chucks and other parts and the legs might be worth much more than that if it were parted out, if it wasn't usable.

-That's the potential problem here. The lathe, as a lathe, is only worth about $100-$200. But there could be buyers willing to bid to twice that or more just to get the legs for some fancy table or something.

Doc.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I will buy almost anything. BUT, that lathe is not for a novice. I doubt that the combination of no experience and an old lathe that needs a skilled operator is going to make any "parts" making very difficult.
The cost of finding and making parts for that old blister could break spirit. Walk away. Get a smaller and more modern lathe.
My South Bend is 1945. The Myford Super 7 is less than 50 years old. You will have no regrets if you buy a newer machine.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Most lathes are pretty expensive in my area, and I don’t much money to purchase but all the time in the world to putter with it, I’m hoping it to pick it up for somewhere around $50. If I don’t win in that range I’ll keep looking or do without a lathe.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Most lathes are pretty expensive in my area, and I don’t much money to purchase but all the time in the world to putter with it, I’m hoping it to pick it up for somewhere around $50. If I don’t win in that range I’ll keep looking or do without a lathe.

That is a good price for the unknowns. But I think you would like the challenge if your like me.

 

[isb cornbinder]

That lathe is likely old enough to have Babbitt beatings. I have some experience with babbit and the tools to pour and fit. Guys with this experience are few and far between. I know two guys who are able to do babbit bearings. Keith Rucker and Dave Richards, both of You Tube fame. Check them out. A proper restoration and fix as required can eat through a $1000 really quickly. Make that $2000+ if you have to send it out.
Bigger lathes like my South Bend 16 can be very affordable. I bought my SB for $900 and this included lots of tooling and 4 chucks.
If that lathe does not have a cross-slide, the lathe is almost worthless. Tooling can be expensive. SB made thousands of lathes. Many have survived. Parts are available. SB is a good starter lathe. Every South Bend is a copy of the next size. Look for a SB book called How to run a lathe.

 

[dutchgray]

It's not worth spending much money on getting it fixed, if it's just a clean up job, source a motor, fabricate a frame to hold the drive pulleys and belts then it might be worth the time, but understand the project is fixing it up, not to get a good useful machine.

It's always going to not have a high enough spindle RPM, be too lightly built for carbide and realistically even HSS tooling could beat the machine.

But it appears complete, doesn't appear to be broken anywhere obvious, has a taper attachment and a steady rest.

That 4 jaw chuck is almost certainly too big and is definitely much more modern than the lathe, if the rust isn't too bad on it you'll find it's probably a good 4 jaw and worth a couple hundred on its own.

 

[Nessism]

Unless you need a new (big) project, I'd give that thing a pass. Mind you, for $50, you could part it and bank some cash for a better machine purchase in the future. That's what I would do.

 

[Boogerman]

I've cleaned up and fixed and sold 5 machines this year, and I'd pass on that one if it was free for the taking. I'd pass if it was delivered into my garage, even! That is, if my object was to get a lathe to putter around with and maybe make a few parts. As an object to fix up and make a few dollars on, it would pay so little per hour as to not be in any way worth it, so I definitely wouldn't take it to resell.

If my objective was to get an object to putter around with and occupy my time, I'd take it if it was delivered. If you're into paying for entertaining yourself, $50 for the price of admission isn't too steep. Particularly if loading and transporting it is part of the amusement you want.

If I had to use a lathe like that to make parts, I'd just give up on the idea of making parts and do something else.

Like ISB said, just keep an eye out for a reasonably priced working lathe instead. Buy one right, with tooling, and you'll be money ahead by far from fixing this one up and then needing to buy tooling for it.

Possibly, if you're into reselling, you could make a few dollars selling the legs, the chucks, and the taper attachment. A few days of electrolysis, a bit of time with maroon scotch brite, and you'd have a few items that would bring $25 to $50 plus shipping on ebay, and the legs might sell locally if you're near a metro area where they're desirable.

 

[i4ni]

I bought a decent turret lathe (outward condition wise) for $100 just for the cast iron legs and the chip pan. I could have easily got it running but I had no real use for it and I would rather invest my money in a decent engine lathe. I would save up my money to buy a decent working lathe if I were you. Now if it goes cheap enough parting it out and making a buck on it is something I would entertain. That's just my 2 cents FWIW

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Thanks for all the Input guys, might snap it up if its $10-$20, just for a few pieces, try and flip the base and scrap the rest, but if it goes for more than that, that poor soul can have it.

 

[i4ni]

I've cleaned up and fixed and sold 5 machines this year, and I'd pass on that one if it was free for the taking. I'd pass if it was delivered into my garage, even! That is, if my object was to get a lathe to putter around with and maybe make a few parts. As an object to fix up and make a few dollars on, it would pay so little per hour as to not be in any way worth it, so I definitely wouldn't take it to resell.

If my objective was to get an object to putter around with and occupy my time, I'd take it if it was delivered. If you're into paying for entertaining yourself, $50 for the price of admission isn't too steep. Particularly if loading and transporting it is part of the amusement you want.

If I had to use a lathe like that to make parts, I'd just give up on the idea of making parts and do something else.

Like ISB said, just keep an eye out for a reasonably priced working lathe instead. Buy one right, with tooling, and you'll be money ahead by far from fixing this one up and then needing to buy tooling for it.

Possibly, if you're into reselling, you could make a few dollars selling the legs, the chucks, and the taper attachment. A few days of electrolysis, a bit of time with maroon scotch brite, and you'd have a few items that would bring $25 to $50 plus shipping on ebay, and the legs might sell locally if you're near a metro area where they're desirab

Thanks for all the Input guys, might snap it up if its $10-$20, just for a few pieces, try and flip the base and scrap the rest, but if it goes for more than that, that poor soul can have it.

I'd go $105 on it

 

[bb29510]

its yard art

 

[bmwrd0]

I would start saving my cash for a good, more modern machine that is learner friendly. That is a money pit. Sure, there are some good parts on it, but you could quickly end up over your head and upside down in it.

 

[alfadan]

You'll need a lathe to repair that lathe.

Pass.

 

[rsanter]

That lathe has several downsides to it.
Rust/condition.
Flat belt
No compound
No feed gearbox

The upsides are:
The legs have value. $200 to $400
Taper attachment
It’s a simple lathe so simple to fix up

Grab it if you can. I would not want to pay more than $400-$500 max
Can be a good machine to learn on plus over time if you get into it and buy another lathe you can sell this one or keep it as a second lathe. I have two lathes and it’s a nice luxury

 

[yhprum]

I bought a similar lathe once. It was in nice shape. Then I put a bar under the chuck and levered it upwards and Lo and behold, there was about 1/8 inch of play. That’s when I learned about babbitt bearings on these old machines. I moved it on after that.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Would be good in a blacksmith shop/museum setting.

If you part it, put the parts out there via Ebay, etc... I bet there's a guy or two who would love to have a tail stock, taper attachment etc to finish off a project.

Interesting lathes are spendy in Ohio... I always thought that area was thick with them.

 

[gba2331]

Found this image online, looks pretty similar, maybe you can id it from this if you fellas think its the same.

This looks like a good way to lose finger, limbs, etc. The old timers really had to be careful.

 

[paulsomlo]

Grab it if you can. I would not want to pay more than $400-$500 max
Can be a good machine to learn on plus over time if you get into it and buy another lathe you can sell this one or keep it as a second lathe. I have two lathes and it’s a nice luxury

I wouldn't go over $150

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

That old girl looks a lot like my FE Reed lathe. Not saying it is for sure as there are a few differences but the four V ways, and taper attachment adjusting nuts look right along with the bearing risers and tailstock. That would be my best guess. Ed.

 

[The Cobbler]

I agree that that lathe is probably better served as parting it out than to try to resurrect it . you'd have a lot of time & probably money into it to get it up & usable, and even then, it would be a marginal lathe, in my opinion.
Try to get it for the price you're willing to pay, clean up some of the saleable parts to make them look "pretty", sell them off and save that money for your lathe fund. keep looking for a better, newer lathe.
of course, a lot depends on what you want to do with the lathe, too.
Just my $0.02

 

[rsanter]

I wouldn't go over $150

Price/value is pendant on location
Around here those legs alone would sell for $250 to $400

 

[ez-duzit]

If you're smart you will not even bid on that POS.

Put your money into a functional lathe.

 

[LopezBart]

It looks like a 1920s 16" x 8' Southbend; it's hard to tell from the back. The legs are worth money as others have said; you may well be able to sell the taper attachment as well. You cannot see the lead screw or gearbox; they're on the other side if they're there at all. I would only consider this if you're planning on selling the parts. It's a collection of rusty parts, not a working lathe; it cannot be made working w/o serious machine shop skills.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Its over what I wanna pay, thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Toold_up]

What are you planning on using a lathe for?

 

[Michael_PE2003]

Once you have it and learn how to use it you’ll use it all the time on things you never thought of. At least that was my experience.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Its over what I wanna pay, thanks for all the help guys.

So what did it sell for?