Old lathes , which to buy

[2stroke1971]

I am trying to decide between a ratty old Sheldon 12 inch and an Atlas 10f in somewhat better shape. The Atlas does run but needs a going through for sure. The Sheldon does not run. The Sheldon is older than the Atlas by a couple decades I believe.
I know the Sheldon would be a little more robust perhaps. Fixing them up is not an issue, it’s half the fun.
The Atlas can sit on a Benchtop; the Sheldon has legs of course I could take them off. I think the Atlas would have greater support out there and better parts availability.
I use a big Swedish made Summit at work to make things, and I have the craftsman 101 lathe at home which I know people groan about but I got it for $50 and had fun working on it. Point is I know the difference between a big robust lathe and my dinky 101.

I guess what it comes down to is
Whether the Sheldon would be that
Much more capable of a machine to make it worth the somewhat larger price and the fact that it needs more work. The Sheldon does have the quick change transmission, and the Atlas does not. Neither one comes
With much tooling.

Thanks for any input

 

[RoninB4]

I worked for Sheldon (then National Acme, part of Acme Cleveland) in Chicago when they went bankrupt in the early 80's. Choice of either lathe is always about condition, you haven't mentioned the condition of the bed/ways. Almost all other things can be repaired with moderate difficulty/expense but the bed itself is much larger and more expensive project. If the bed has deep wear (thumbnail test), mostly closer to the headstock, then I'd really have to weigh the price and what I expected in accuracy from it. Tooling will be a big ticket but you already know that. A missing tailstock is a deal breaker IMO. A QC gearbox is far better than swapping gears IMO, a 12 beats a 10. There's an active Sheldon owners group out there if you look it up. Atlas was never considered anything but a hobby level lathe, the Sheldon was not a great one but was a true industrial level machine in it's time. If the Sheldon doesn't run you really want to inspect the "bull/back" gear. Often they were used to lock the headstock for chuck removal, often breaking teeth in the process. You'll want back gear when single point threading or cutting/drilling SS with HSS. Inspect the gears in the headstock before deciding. Steady rest is an optional thing. I seldom use mine but sure want it when needed, that depends upon how often you'll want to turn long, vibration prone, shafts.

If all things are equal and in decent shape I'd opt for the Sheldon as it's a better machine (IF ALL things are equal). Hope this helped.

 

[Packard V8]

If you enjoy fixing them, buy both. A cleaned, tuned, running Atlas will sell at a premium on the first day it's listed. They're always in demand. You might make enough profit to pay for the Sheldon.

jack vines