Old Craftsman 12x24 lathe ID help

[Dipnetfan]

Well gosh, I went out without adult supervision and came home with an old Craftsman lathe. I thought I will just get the manual and get it running. Alas.
Ive been looking now for days and still haven't seen anything quite the same. There is no plate on the end of the bed on mine. The only number is on right on top of the bed. 8643-s It has a quick change gearbox.
The whole thing was once dark blue. There are lots of pictures from badged ones (Craftsman Commercial. Atlas/Craftsman) but none like mine. Ive tried several sites but just can't turn the corner on this. The guy said it was an Atlas/Craftsman but he also told me the motor ran perfectly and would start it right up. Which it didn't. I do believe the part about setting for 30 years or more! I will put up a pic when i figure out how.
Thanks for any help.

 

[nine4gmc]

That could be from the 40's if I'm not mistaken, awesome find! I have a 12x36 from the Heritage era that came after yours. I think it is an early Atlas but need more pics. Also, look for a plate on the middle of the back side of the bed.

Check for dirt daubers in the motor before attempting to start it again.

 

[Cruzan80]

Lathe seems to date to the 39 or 40 catalog, based on them using the metal tag vs painting on CM (if the ads can be believed). Someone modified either the lathe or the gear box to get them to match up, since it was around the 60's those were introduced.

Earlier CM 12" were Atlas 10's on risers, compared to the later 12" models Atlas (and then once Atlas bought Clausing, A/C) made for Sears.

 

[1982fxr]

I had one similar once. That one is missing the top cover that goes over the area behind the quick change box. Iirc it was an atlas. Or was it south bend? Atlas I think. I think the quick change box came out in like 1953 but could retrofitted. Mine didn't have it, it was a 1950 or '51 I think.

That may be an older one like mine but was retrofitted with the quick change box...

 

[Provincial]

The quick change gearbox was introduced by Atlas in 1947. It was also offered as a retrofit to earlier lathes.

I have an Atlas QC-42 that was built in the late 1940's with the quick change gearbox, hence the QC prefix.

 

[Dipnetfan]

I found it! Craftsman 101.07383. Its and oldie and I hope a goodie. Cant tell til I get it cleaned and running.