Newbie gets a lathe!

[Walter Z]

Just purchased a new to me Craftsman Atlas 101.21400 lathe. I am totally new to metal work, but excited to learn. Been prowling Craigslist for a while looking for something affordable. Picked this up from the son of a career machinist. It was his home machine.

Was wired up to an old Norge washing machine motor. I had a Dunlap 1750 rpm left over from a band saw part out, so I put that to use. Cleaned it up, mounted to a bench and new link belts. Came with a 3 jaw chuck, and an independent jaw, four jaw, plus some tooling and accessories, for $300.

I had some trouble freeing up the pin that attaches the bull wheel to the spindle pulley. Finally it pulled and now the back gears work for slow speeds. The compound travels up and down the lead screw nicely by hand or by machine. Everything seems tight. I know it's a small machine, but you have to start somewhere. What do you guys think?

All I know about lathes came from mounting this up. I have a ton to learn about the tooling and machine work in general.

Any suggestions for learning are much appreciated!

 

[NJ Marty]

Very nice and it looks real clean also. Im no expert but I think you did well with your first lathe purchase. I have been looking for one myself but just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

[ndnchf]

Looks pretty similar to mine. I've had this one for over 25 years. Within its limitations, its a good lathe. I've made many, many small parts on it. Its not a full size, full service lathe, but its not a toy either. Mine is like an old friend, I hope you learn to use yours and enjoy it as much as I do mine.

 

[zkling]

Congrats, yes everyone starts somewhere, that was a good machine for starters, much better than the 109 I started with. That lathe operation book and the south bend's "How to run a lathe" should get you going and then some.

If you don't already, you will want to pick up a pair of 0-6" calipers, a 0-1" mic and a 1" travel 0.001" graduated dial indicator.

 

[Zeke]

300 bucks??!! I do believe you've earned a 'you ****'. If you're not familiar with YS around here, it's a compliment.

 

[Elginz]

I would also be delighted to find that. I haven't yet, so you are way ahead me and I am a machinist. Enjoy it.

 

[454ragtop]

I think you did very well. Did you get any extra change gears? If not, might ask the seller if he has any hanging around. Son may not realize they go to the lathe.
Jim

 

[Walter Z]

Looks pretty similar to mine. I've had this one for over 25 years. Within its limitations, its a good lathe. I've made many, many small parts on it. Its not a full size, full service lathe, but its not a toy either. Mine is like an old friend, I hope you learn to use yours and enjoy it as much as I do mine.

Hi ndnchf, I plan to retire in 5 years, so the goal between now and then is to accumulate the things I need to keep my interest and the retirement brain going. I'm already having fun learning.

Congrats, yes everyone starts somewhere, that was a good machine for starters, much better than the 109 I started with. That lathe operation book and the south bend's "How to run a lathe" should get you going and then some.

If you don't already, you will want to pick up a pair of 0-6" calipers, a 0-1" mic and a 1" travel 0.001" graduated dial indicator.

Zkling, Thanks for this. I know I need some measuring tools, and I appreciate knowing where to start. I have none of these.

300 bucks??!! I do believe you've earned a 'you ****'. If you're not familiar with YS around here, it's a compliment.

Zeke, that sure makes me feel good!

I would also be delighted to find that. I haven't yet, so you are way ahead me and I am a machinist. Enjoy it.

Thanks Elginz!

I think you did very well. Did you get any extra change gears? If not, might ask the seller if he has any hanging around. Son may not realize they go to the lathe.
Jim

Hi Jim, I'll have to ask. I'm sure he thinks he gave me everything he had, but the guy's basement was stuffed with a lifetime's worth of tools. His Dad restored vintage wooden boats. The son is moving to Georgia this summer, and promise a yard sale. I'll be sure to be there.

Great starter lathe, have fun

Thanks ModelAGuy!

Very nice and it looks real clean also. Im no expert but I think you did well with your first lathe purchase. I have been looking for one myself but just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

NJ Marty, I hope you find yourself a deal.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Looks like you couldn't have picked a better one to start with.

 

[bagged89s10]

Just purchased a new to me Craftsman Atlas 101.21400 lathe. I am totally new to metal work, but excited to learn. Been prowling Craigslist for a while looking for something affordable. Picked this up from the son of a career machinist. It was his home machine.



Was wired up to an old Norge washing machine motor. I had a Dunlap 1750 rpm left over from a band saw part out, so I put that to use. Cleaned it up, mounted to a bench and new link belts. Came with a 3 jaw chuck, and an independent jaw, four jaw, plus some tooling and accessories, for $300.



I had some trouble freeing up the pin that attaches the bull wheel to the spindle pulley. Finally it pulled and now the back gears work for slow speeds. The compound travels up and down the lead screw nicely by hand or by machine. Everything seems tight. I know it's a small machine, but you have to start somewhere. What do you guys think?



All I know about lathes came from mounting this up. I have a ton to learn about the tooling and machine work in general.



Any suggestions for learning are much appreciated!

Nice score! I just bought the same one for $300 sans as many accessories.





~Veeps

 

[Walter Z]

Thanks Veeps. Yours looks good, too. I have looked for a lathe for a long time, so it was great to find it.

I love old craftsman power tools. I have a pretty good collection of vintage woodworking tools, bandsaw, drill press, shaper, belt/disc sander, jointer, block grinder.

Really looking forward to learning some machining now.

 

[bagged89s10]

Thanks Veeps. Yours looks good, too. I have looked for a lathe for a long time, so it was great to find it.

I love old craftsman power tools. I have a pretty good collection of vintage woodworking tools, bandsaw, drill press, shaper, belt/disc sander, jointer, block grinder.

Really looking forward to learning some machining now.

Thanks. Same here on looking for a lathe for a while. I didn't want to spend more and this one popped up on CL at the right time for me. I just sold a wilton vise for the same amount the day before. It couldn't have worked out better


~Veeps

 

[Shadowdog500]

Congradulations! After you work with it for a while and get used to it you will wonder how you ever got along without one. I use mine mostly to bail me out in the middle of a project. I usually need to whip up a part or a specialty tool to get a project done.

Chris

 

[Walter Z]

I think you did very well. Did you get any extra change gears? If not, might ask the seller if he has any hanging around. Son may not realize they go to the lathe.
Jim

Thanks for the advice 454. Just called the son and sure enough, he found a set of nine change gears and a few other items. I owe ya!

 

[bagged89s10]

Thanks for the advice 454. Just called the son and sure enough, he found a set of nine change gears and a few other items. I owe ya!

Nice! Mine has only these gears. So the change gear set includes more gears so I can cut different threads?




~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

Nice! Mine has only these gears. So the change gear set includes more gears so I can cut different threads?




~Veeps

I just found a used change gear set on eBay and got it for $40 shipped. That beats paying $350 from sears parts direct. Part number m6-101



~Veeps

 

[454ragtop]

Thanks for the advice 454. Just called the son and sure enough, he found a set of nine change gears and a few other items. I owe ya!

Awesome. When you go to get the gears, take a pic of a steadyrest and a follow rest, who knows he may have them hanging around somewhere too.
Good luck, Jim

 

[bagged89s10]

Walter, how's the condition of the thread cutting chart on your lathe? If it's clear, can you try to take a good picture and send it to me. Mines somewhat thought to read.


~Veeps

 

[TommyK]

Good job on the bench too!

 

[Walter Z]

Jim, I picked up the changes gears right after work before I saw your post about the steady and follow rests. The guy told me he could have sold the lathe 10 times the day I bought it. I was the first to inquire hours after he posted on Craigslist. He may be having second thoughts about dropping his price from $400 to $300. Might have to give him a few days before I ask about the rests!

Veeps, Here is a link to the thread chart on Vintage Machinery. Lots of other publications applicable to the Craftsman 101/Atlas 618 lathes.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=3443

He did give me the gears and a tool holder, so I'm happy!

 

[bagged89s10]

Jim, I picked up the changes gears right after work before I saw your post about the steady and follow rests. The guy told me he could have sold the lathe 10 times the day I bought it. I was the first to inquire hours after he posted on Craigslist. He may be having second thoughts about dropping his price from $400 to $300. Might have to give him a few days before I ask about the rests!



Veeps, Here is a link to the thread chart on Vintage Machinery. Lots of other publications applicable to the Craftsman 101/Atlas 618 lathes.



http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=3443



He did give me the gears and a tool holder, so I'm happy!

Nice. Yeah you got a killer deal with all the accessories. Thanks for the info.


~Veeps

 

[454ragtop]

Jim, I picked up the changes gears right after work before I saw your post about the steady and follow rests. The guy told me he could have sold the lathe 10 times the day I bought it. I was the first to inquire hours after he posted on Craigslist. He may be having second thoughts about dropping his price from $400 to $300. Might have to give him a few days before I ask about the rests!

Veeps, Here is a link to the thread chart on Vintage Machinery. Lots of other publications applicable to the Craftsman 101/Atlas 618 lathes.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=3443

He did give me the gears and a tool holder, so I'm happy!

Walter, way cool. Could always offer him some more money if he does have either or both of the rests. Besides, he shouldn't feel bad, I bought the same machine in about the same condition, well tooled, even had a steadyrest, for $50. a couple years ago. You can imagine how many calls THAT guy must have got....
Jim

 

[bczygan]

HTRAL

http://www.wswells.com/data/htral/1930_htral.pdf

 

[Walter Z]

Thank's for the link. I definitely have my reading material.

 

[Alchymist]

Nice lookin lathe. When $$$ allows, change the lantern tool holder. Turret similar to the one pictured, on quick change similar to the one in the LMS link. (Just make sure to get one to fit your model lathe).

The lantern style works, but can be a MPITA.

http://littlemachineshop.com/2461

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Congralations! Good buy.

YOU ****!!!!!!!

 

[bagged89s10]

I have to get a chuck for the tail stock on mine.

What size fits this machine?


~Veeps

 

[454ragtop]

Veeps, No. 1 Morse taper (1MT, MT1).
Jim

 

[bagged89s10]

Veeps, No. 1 Morse taper (1MT, MT1).

Jim

Thanks.


~Veeps

 

[bagged89s10]

Veeps, No. 1 Morse taper (1MT, MT1).

Jim

Any idea what the largest size outside diameter chuck will work? I saw a Jacobs chuck with outside diameter of about 2-1/4". It was nice at priced at $25. I'm sure I can get it for $20


~Veeps

 

[454ragtop]

Any idea what the largest size outside diameter chuck will work? I saw a Jacobs chuck with outside diameter of about 2-1/4". It was nice at priced at $25. I'm sure I can get it for $20


~Veeps

Sorry for not answering back sooner, was in CT for the weekend at the Stafford Springs swap meet. That chuck should work fine, length is usually more of a concern on a lathe like that with a short distance between centers.
Jim

 

[bagged89s10]

Sorry for not answering back sooner, was in CT for the weekend at the Stafford Springs swap meet. That chuck should work fine, length is usually more of a concern on a lathe like that with a short distance between centers.

Jim

Thanks.
Man I haven't gone to that swap meet in years. What's the entrance fee these days for non-sellers?


~Veeps

 

[454ragtop]

$11.

 

[redintex]

You ****!!!!!

 

[Alan Douglas]

I would send him an extra fifty bucks for the change gears. You never know what else he might come across, and you still got a super deal.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Cool lathe.. I hate change gears so one day maybe you can land a decent South Bend w/ QC gear box.. Good score and it looks great!

Dennis