One quick question.

[Rusty_H]

http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-power-tools-Craftsman-lathe-W0QQAdIdZ515478824

I hope this link works for you guys, but I have a basic idea what this lathe is/ can do as far as size of work, but my main question is can this machine be used to cut threads? I understand the right person can cut threads with the most primitive of machines, for example, a file.. But for somebody who has never used any type of metal turning machine, would it be straight forward to learn how/ make this unit cut threads?

Thanks in advance everybody

Brandon.

 

[David W]

I would chuck the rod you are threading up in the chuck and then use a thread dye out of a tap and dye set for thread cutting. Even mild steel cannot be but too deeply on a pass, certainly not deep enough to be a good thread.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Does it have change gears for threading? It looks to have a power feed table, so it should work. You need to have the change gears or speed adjustment of the feeder shaft to be able to cut threads. The feeder shaft needs to turn at the proper speed relative to the rotation of the stock. This is what determines the thread pitch.

 

[Rusty_H]

I know what change gears are, I do not know if this machine has them, judging by the working end of the machine, I would be led to believe that the gearing would be limited. This being said, I was hoping for a firm yes or no from an owner of this machine, before I drop cash.

From what I understand THIS is certainly a unit that would do me well, just feel like it is more machine than I could use considering my abilities/ intended use. Link here: http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...ook-metal-lathe-heavy-duty-W0QQAdIdZ515396870

PLUS its four times the price, I recently moved here to Alberta from Nova Scotia, and as long as my tools are still in NS, I was hoping to drop a few hundred on a decent machine to occupy my free time, and blah blah blah.

 

[zkling]

First off, go buy that NOW. Well worth the money, especially considering the one particular accessory that I spy.

Can it cut threads? Short answer... Yes. HOWEVER you will be limited to the change gears that come with it. Which it looks like they are included and possibly never used in that wooden box with the other special ($$$) accessory.

That is a good, basic machine. Is it the best, no. But it looks to be in good condition, has quite a bit of tooling. AND the price is very right IMHO.

That second machine

Of course it is going to be better. That is like comparing a F350 to a civic. Which one will be better at towing. It is also going to be a real pain to move and ~4x the initial purchase price. Since it is an industrial machine it is more likely to have worn parts that may or may not be hard to obtain and typically very $$$$ to replace components.

 

[Rusty_H]

You are referring to the craftsman zkling?

 

[zkling]

You are referring to the craftsman zkling?

Yes.

If you were familir with lathes, had the space and the larger machine was ~half of what they are asking, I would tell you to go with that. However the craftsman is going to have alot of pluses (in my mind) for someone that just wants to get into turning.

 

[Rusty_H]

I sent you a PM, possibly two, when I looked under "sent messages" it listed nothing, so apologies in advance if you feel pestered.

 

[zkling]

I sent you a PM, possibly two, when I looked under "sent messages" it listed nothing, so apologies in advance if you feel pestered.

No worries man, PMs replied to.

 

[A_Pmech]

Threading is my favorite operation next to forming. Multi-start internal acme to a shoulder is the most fun. It's like playing a video game. All about reflexes!

A Craftsman machine very similar to that was my first lathe. The Craftsman machines are good hobby machines and work well with no ferrous metals. They will also turn steel, so long as the workpiece is under +- 1.5" in diameter. Over that they tend to suffer from a severe lack of rigidity.

 

[Outlawmws]

Assuming the gears are there, yes it will cut threads. That is an earlier version of my lathe, (Mine has the quick change box) and its fine for most hobby work, and a bit above (I used to build race cars and mine built me everything I ever asked of it...).

If you want to do metric threads, that will be a different game altogether. I know guys have made up sets for the old Clausings, for metric threading it's possible that someone knows what gears to do for metric on that one, but I can't recall seeing it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmmm, that's odd, the owners manual they posted says its only a six inch, but it sure looks bigger to me, scaling of other things in the pic. I thought 12" and it's certainly looks like at lesst a 10...

 

[zkling]

Hmmm, that's odd, the owners manual they posted says its only a six inch, but it sure looks bigger to me, scaling of other things in the pic. I thought 12" and it's certainly looks like at lesst a 10...

The older craftsman lathes all look pretty similar. They don't really have any in your face distinguishing features between the sizes to my knowledge. Besides the tiny 109 and then the quick change of the 12" they all look pretty similar

 

[Rusty_H]

One more; is it 110v by chance? It is literally all I have access to for now and the foreseeable future, moving away from home is so depressing.

 

[Dave455]

Bear in mind that any lathe can cut screw threads simply by replacing the tailstock chuck with a simple die holder (from MSC perhaps)!

As to whether it can be used for screw cutting, that depends! If the lathe has a powered lead screw, and it looks like this one has, then it probably can, but screw cutting requires a much higher geared lead screw than turning. Some lathes have a quick change facility for this, but it can still be a fiddle to work out which gears to use for which thread pitch!

The most versatile lathes have a quick change gearbox. You just select the thread pitch you want, engage, and off you go!

 

[zkling]

One more; is it 110v by chance? It is literally all I have access to for now and the foreseeable future, moving away from home is so depressing.

More than likely yes. That is really dependent on which motor it has on it. MOST of the small fractional HP, universal motors like would be on that machine can be wired for 120v and 240v.

 

[scw1991]

I owned a similar 6" Craftsman badged model 101 lathe. They were made by Atlas. Sold it recently for $500 complete with change gears and minimal tooling. it was a hobby lathe for tinkering at best and wasn't too accurate. However it was from the 1940's so I expected some wear and tear. it came standard with a 1/3HP 115v/1ph/60hz motor.

 

[Rusty_H]

Bought this unit last night, got home around 12:30am from picking it up lol.

Asking 500, offered 400, no hesitation, he said yes.
Older gentleman, in his 60's retired looking to sell all of his belongings to move from his farm to a condo. I would've asked to look around, but it would have cost me. hehe

Came with 3 jaw and 4 jaw chuck. And replacement jaws.
Drive plate? And drive arms? And a dead center for the driven end. The accessories to run workpiece with an offset tailstock. Just need a live center for the tailstock. I believe MT2
Steady rest, follow rest.
A good sized bag of tooling. Some brand new carbide tipped tools. Going to look up the numbers I found on them, if nothing turns up, I will inquire about quality etc.
The milling attachment. It is cracked at the corner of the cast holder. Going to have to get it welded, no biggie.
Haven't checked the completeness, but also a set of change gears.
Few other misc items, pictures to come.

The two rests, and the milling attachment were all the same color as the lathe, so I'm assuming original.

 

[zkling]

Steady rest, follow rest, complete set of change gears, milling attachment Great deal.

The drive plate and drive thingy are called a face plate and lathe dog.

 

[Rusty_H]

Awh shoot, I was going to say dog because it was my first instinct, but didn't want to sound silly lol.

Is tailstock at least correct? And I meant I believe MT1.

 

[zkling]

Is tailstock at least correct? And I meant I believe MT1.

Yea, I'm pretty sure that lathe has MT2 in the spindle and a MT1 in the tailstock MT= morse taper.

 

[Outlawmws]

Bought this unit last night, got home around 12:30am from picking it up lol.

Asking 500, offered 400, no hesitation, he said yes.
Older gentleman, in his 60's retired looking to sell all of his belongings to move from his farm to a condo. I would've asked to look around, but it would have cost me. hehe

Came with 3 jaw and 4 jaw chuck. And replacement jaws.
Drive plate? And drive arms? And a dead center for the driven end. The accessories to run workpiece with an offset tailstock. Just need a live center for the tailstock. I believe MT2
Steady rest, follow rest.
A good sized bag of tooling. Some brand new carbide tipped tools. Going to look up the numbers I found on them, if nothing turns up, I will inquire about quality etc.
The milling attachment. It is cracked at the corner of the cast holder. Going to have to get it welded, no biggie.
Haven't checked the completeness, but also a set of change gears.
Few other misc items, pictures to come.

The two rests, and the milling attachment were all the same color as the lathe, so I'm assuming original.

Nice list of tooling! So what size was it? From center to the ways X2? (Roughly)

 

[zkling]

I THINK this is the one he bought.

 

[scw1991]

That's a fair price to pay considering it is complete. You'll have a tough time finding a steady rest for these model 101 lathes. Pretty hard to come by but they do pop up on ebay every great once in a while for some outrageous asking price. Check out Grizzly.com for the lathe tooling as well as live centers. You can't beat the price. here is a link to some additional info on this Atlas lathe re-badged by Craftsman.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/atlas/