potential tool windfall

[Olinrj]

A family friend enlisted me to help with the demolition of one of their bathrooms that they are getting remodeled. They are actually paying me which is a bonus (I would have done it for free but they are fairly well off and insisted on it). The couple is in their eighties but are very active. While talking to the husband about the work he mentioned that he is planning to downsize his workshop and indicated that if I was interested in any tools he is letting go to speak up.
Now the good part: he has a craftsman 12" lathe, a late 70's craftsman belt and disk sander on the factory stand, and a Dewalt MBF 9" radial arm saw with cabinet that he may give to me. I am very appreciative that he would consider passing these to me as all are on my list of to-get tools.
I have already done a little research on each item and know the dewalt is a top item. My question to the group is regarding the lathe. I will only probably do small work on it as I have access to a full machine shop. The lathe hasn't been used in probably 20 years. Is there anything to specifically focus on when oiling it up to get things loosened?

I am working through uploading photos from my phone and will post as soon as I can. Thanks.

 

[John in OH]

Are you talking about a 12" Cman WOOD lathe?? I didn't know Cman made a 12" metal lathe.

 

[Olinrj]

It is an old craftsman metal lathe. Based on the information I could find on lathes.co.uk, it is from the late 30's. It may only be a 10 inch model. The three jaw unit is smaller, maybe a 6". I believe these are rebranded Atlas lathes. I am having difficulty resizing the photos to post them. Using an android phone and trying to navigate the different apps.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have been looking for a "full size" Craftsman belt/disc sanders for a couple of years !

 

[signcrafter]

I'll be the first to say "YOU ****". Two tools I have wanted for a long time are a metal lathe and a belt/disc sander. I have a craftsman RAS already.

I'm sure one of the lathe guys will be along with advice on getting that lathe back in good running condition.

Nice score.

 

[Olinrj]

Thanks for the preemptive 'you ****' but I haven't sealed the deal yet. I need to talk to him again this week to confirm everything and line up a friend to help haul it out. I will work on the photos on my lunch break and try to get them posted

 

[Olinrj]

Here are a couple photos, one of the sands and one of the saw. I will be able to take the saw and cabinet. It appears the saw is complete, with blade guard. Still working on the lathe photo.

 

[mbatarga]

That does not look like the normal 6x48 belt! Looks more like 10 or 12 width?

 

[Farmall450]

Very nice!

 

[Chandos]

Grab that arbor press if you can. They're handy.

C

 

[bluebolt]

Well I hope you get that arbor press too! Yea that is a USA made 6x48, one of the last. Same basic unit as my 1960's model but more safety stuff and a dust collector. I t may have some adjustment knobs missing or it may have changed slightly by then.

Waiting for lathe pics!

 

[Olinrj]

Here are two photos of the lathe. He also has a box with more gears and tool holders. I already have a 1 ton arbor press, and I believe he still uses it for his projects. Thanks again for the kudos.

I spoke with him today and it is confirmed. I just need to schedule a friend with a truck and clear some room in the garage!

 

[rsanter]

That lathe looks in nice shape
Blow off all the dust
Remove the belt and spin everything over by hand to get a feel for things.
Plug the motor in and run with out the belt.
Reinstall the belt, oil the lube points and fire it up if all felt on

Bob

 

[Olinrj]

After too long of a time, I am glad to report that I brought home the sands and radial arm saw today. It was a struggle as I only had a two hour window to get there and bring it out of te basement but I did it. I was only able to get them dumped into the garage before I had to get on to the next thing on my list today. The saw cabinet had extensions on the legs to bring it up to about 36". These came off to allow me to get it through the door but I had to cut off another 6" to get the cabinet up the stairs and out of the house. I still have no idea how they got it into the basement in the first place. I hope to get back there tomorrow to get the lathe, but he is in no rush to get it out. It may have to sit for another month. Here are some photos of the load and pieces.

 

[7th Kahuna]

Those are some nice tools. Very much worth the effort to get them out of the basement.

 

[Olinrj]

Thanks. I definitely look forward to using the saw to make some shelving and get into more woodworking. I will need to re-mount the saw and give it a tuneup. The cutting surface has some wear but should work for the time being. Now to do some research on getting the most out of it.

 

[walz]

That's nice, and hard to find quality built hand tools, Craftsman screwed up when they start making tools in China, I'm set for life, I just feel bad for the next generation. Growing up, I never appreciated quality built tools, now I regret that I wasn't more mature, I would have done things differently. My father in laws tools date back to the 1920's as well as his guns that I have. I'm thankful for a second chance at quality built tools and I'm more thankful for having a father in law who was a hoarder of tools. If a friend of his died, he would most likely acquire his tool's and that is why my father in law had so many hand tools.

 

[Olinrj]

Now that two of the three tools are home, I have a question for the group: I will need to buy belts and discs for the sander and need advice. I will most likely use the belt for wood and the disc for metal. What material type should I get for each. I am thinking I will get 80 and 120 grit for the belt and 80 for the disc. Should I just get a multipurpose type for both?

 

[McFarmer]

Be careful using a wood sander for metal. Sparks can catch in places that have wood dust and smolder a long time. And no vacuum when doing metal.

I think your grits sound about right, get some high quality ones that will last a long time.