Sheldon lathe: Any good?

[BigE]

I don't really know anything about it other than that. It's built into/onto a white 50's looking desk. Does that ring any bells?

 

[classicJackets]

Did you buy the one off Atlanta Craigslist?
From what I read about them around, they seem to be regarded as pretty heavy duty. Got any pictures?

 

[454ragtop]

Pretty unlikely it came on a desk from the factory, so we don't really have anything to go by. They are good lathes long as they're in good shape. If you come up with a pic or model number, there is a very active Yahoo group devoted to just Sheldon lathes, can tell you anything you want to know about them.
HTH, Jim

 

[A_Pmech]

They're nice small machines, comparable to South Bends of the same size range, but a bit more modern.

 

[zkling]

Got a model, size or picture? They are nice, smaller machines. If it is truly on a old desk, it is pretty old, smaller or heavily retrofitted. Most of the modern (50's on) machines in the ~10"+ range were under drive from the cabinet under the headstock on a factory base.

 

[larry_g]

Does it look like either of the above? These two are middle of the pack lathes from Sheldon. There are earlier lighter weight ones and some later R series that are top shelf lathes. My two are good utility machines, but not a lot of bells and whistles.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[rsanter]

In general, yes they are

Bob

 

[BigE]

It's in Selma, Alabama if anyone is interested. $900. Here's the ad. I know nothing else about it. Just ran across the ad on Craigslist.

http://bham.craigslist.org/tls/4940006438.html

 

[classicJackets]

Wow. If that were about $400 cheaper I'd be all over it.. Not too terribly far to trailer.
Doug

Asking $900, for posterity..

 

[mossyboy6]

looks like it sat outside for a few years.

 

[oldldh]

Wow. If that were about $400 cheaper I'd be all over it.. Not too terribly far to trailer.
Doug

Asking $900, for posterity..

I'll bet twenty five twenty dollar bills would have that beastie on your trailer...