Opinions on Sheldon lathes?
- Thread starter Jason280
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454ragtop
Well-known member
Quality should be on par with a SB. Looks to be well tooled, if not badly worn or any other issues, should be a nice machine.
454ragtop
Well-known member
Start here http://www.mermac.com/advicenew.html
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I have two of them, an EXL and a EXM, 10 and 13" swing. The lathe you show is a bit earlier than either of mine. I have no complaints on either of mine. If you look at the carriage feed you will see one is a wheel and one is a lever. The one you show is a wheel. The wheel takes a bit more concentration to stop on a mark. Not bad just different. I also have different cross slides in that one is calibrated 1/2 actual movement. Not wrong just have to pay attention to which lathe I'm on and not dial in the wrong measurement. One thing to look at is the end gears. Some have a non-metallic gear that can strip. That one also looks to have an opening in the end gear cover that I don't recognize.
As for comparison to a SB you have to compare it to a heavy 10 as these Sheldon lathes are a step up from the smaller 1.5" spindle machines. When dealing with machines of this age its condition more than brand name. I'd say if less than $1.5K it could be a deal. There is also a Sheldon use group out there. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Sheldonlathe/info
lg
no neat sig line
I have two of them, an EXL and a EXM, 10 and 13" swing. The lathe you show is a bit earlier than either of mine. I have no complaints on either of mine. If you look at the carriage feed you will see one is a wheel and one is a lever. The one you show is a wheel. The wheel takes a bit more concentration to stop on a mark. Not bad just different. I also have different cross slides in that one is calibrated 1/2 actual movement. Not wrong just have to pay attention to which lathe I'm on and not dial in the wrong measurement. One thing to look at is the end gears. Some have a non-metallic gear that can strip. That one also looks to have an opening in the end gear cover that I don't recognize.
As for comparison to a SB you have to compare it to a heavy 10 as these Sheldon lathes are a step up from the smaller 1.5" spindle machines. When dealing with machines of this age its condition more than brand name. I'd say if less than $1.5K it could be a deal. There is also a Sheldon use group out there. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Sheldonlathe/info
lg
no neat sig line
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DTuck
Well-known member
Yet another Arfcommer. Good lathe you have on your hands there. I recognized your avatar. Haha
tombell572
Well-known member
Sheldon are well-but lathes and while perhaps not on a par with heavy machines such as Monarch or Hendey are certainly comparable to South Bend Heavy 10's. For an all-around machine it should be fine. As stated above, with older machines, condition--in particular, wear is the critical factor. I've had my Sheldon for over 30 years and it has served me well. It came out of Bell Labs in NJ and was never in a production environment. It's similar to the one in your photo but has the optional overhead drive which was available for many years.
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Tom B.
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Tom B.
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Aaron_W
Well-known member
That looks like a nice lathe and the underdrive (motor in the cabinet below the lathe) is much nicer than many of the smaller vintage lathes with a motor hanging off the backside.
Mr Pete 222 has done a few videos to help guide one in buying a used lathe. A series of general information, and two specific to Atlas and Southbend, but other than brand specific issues still covers information applicable to most used lathes.
General info
Atlas
Southbend
Mr Pete 222 has done a few videos to help guide one in buying a used lathe. A series of general information, and two specific to Atlas and Southbend, but other than brand specific issues still covers information applicable to most used lathes.
General info
Atlas
Southbend
dr_clyde
Well-known member
That's the lighter duty series Sheldon made. They are perfectly adequate for a home shop. Every bit as good as a South Bend. Looks reasonably well tooled. I see a genuine Aloris toolpost (not sure on the holders), a Jacobs Superchuck, and a good selection of lathe chucks and rests. What are they asking? In my neck of the woods, that would probably bring $2500 in a private sale, maybe a grand or $1200 in an auction.
Sheldon also made an industrial line of lathes called the "R" series. I had one, they are excellent lathes if you can find one. Every bit as good as Clausing Colchester or LeBlond Regal lathes.
Sheldon also made an industrial line of lathes called the "R" series. I had one, they are excellent lathes if you can find one. Every bit as good as Clausing Colchester or LeBlond Regal lathes.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
That Aloris holder looks like its a size too big for that lathe. If you notice in the pics, the adjustment screw for tool height is all the way out, in an attempt to keep the tool on center. That lathe needs no bigger than a BXA size post, that looks to be a CXA post.
Well, this thread has come full circle.
I ended up passing on the lathe in the original post, but actually snagged an EXL-56B this week. I'll have to post a few pics when I get a chance, but right now its still on the trailer waiting to be unloaded.
I ended up passing on the lathe in the original post, but actually snagged an EXL-56B this week. I'll have to post a few pics when I get a chance, but right now its still on the trailer waiting to be unloaded.