Picked up a Craftsman lathe today!

[gimpyrobb]

While running errands I noticed a listing on fbmp for a Craftsman lathe. I noticed it was missing a chuck in the listing and asked about it. The reply I received was that it was in a house they had bought and they knew nothing about it. I set up a time to go look and loaded up some tools and a flashlight. When I arrived it was longer than appeared in the listing. The gears were in like new condition and it had some change gears that came with it. I looked for a data tag on the end of the bed but didn't see one. Since the gears were in great shape and the bed showed minimal wear, I offered $250 and he accepted. Once I got home I noticed the data tag on the back of the bed. Seems it's a 12x36! I am super happy!

Now I just need to find all the tooling to go with it which im sure will be in the 4 digit arena. Anyhoo, a chuck and some hss should get me going. Ill probably grab a qctp after a bit too.

What opinions do you have on my first chuck? Probably a 4 jaw, but what size? Im thinking 6" but I did see some 12" too.

 

[Aaron_W]

Spindle is 1-1/2"-8 which is super common for chucks, since it was also used by South Bend, Logan and a few other 9-10" lathes.

A 6" chuck is pretty standard for a 12" lathe. The 4 jaw can be the same size or a little larger. Some choose to run a 6" 3 jaw and an 8" 4 jaw, but 6" for both is also common.

I think the tail stock on those take an MT2 for things like centers, drill chuck etc. Also a very common size so easy to find accessories to fit.

You will also want a tool post, an Aloris style quick change, AXA size is popular. A BXA would probably fit but those are not the most rigid of lathes so probably not worth the added cost of the larger tool post and holders unless you found a deal.

$250 seems like a pretty decent price for you and not bad for the seller who presumably had nothing invested in the lathe.