Who's got lathes?

[brownbagg]

that picture of the craftman is the twin to my atlas, the only different is the craftman decal, all the other decals are the same

 

[lametec]

Got a Clausing 15 x 48. My first lathe and the one I learned (still learning) on.

 

[rickairmedic]

So you want to learn how to run a lathe and other machine tools MIT also has a great set of videos on the web .

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52695


Rick

 

[Zeke]

Mine is a Craftsman (Atlas) 12x36 that I picked up for a song. I built a steel topped bench for it.

that picture of the craftman is the twin to my atlas, the only different is the craftman decal, all the other decals are the same

Yep.

I have this one only older and badged as an Atlas. I've used it once in all seriousness. I'd trade it in a heartbeat for even the worst little 3 in 1 machine because I use a milling operation more than any other. Try that w/o a mill!

I don't like where the switch is located. I located mine in front.

 

[gorilla]

My first lathe was a 10'' Logan that I bought for $200.00. It was a nice home shop machine but it was sort of under powered and it had enough bed ware that turning with out a taper was difficult. I replaced it with an Acra-turn 16x40 that was a year old and came with a Sony latheman DRO. I paid $5,000.00 for it. The ability to make unavailable small parts has kept me in beer for years. You will be better of if you spend a little more money and buy a machine in good condition rather than trying to repair a dog, the most important thing is ware on the bed ways this is something you can't fix without spending big bucks,

 

[Jim Johnstone]

If there is anyone in Southern Ontario who is interested in a HEAVY lathe for a good price, I found this on kijiji Hamilton.

http://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and...the-for-scrap-weight-value-W0QQAdIdZ321910509

I'm tempted, I just don't have the room right now.

 

[gtiboy66]

I bought an American Tool Works Tool Room Lathe Circa 1911 earlier this year. I have restored it and am almost ready to start using it.

 

[A_Pmech]

I bought an American Tool Works Tool Room Lathe Circa 1911 earlier this year. I have restored it and am almost ready to start using it.

Mine was made 59 years later in the same building.

 

[mgilde13]

My dad has an Atlas and I'm over there using it all the time for motorcycle parts. Foot pegs, forward controls, handlebar risers, handlebar extentions, wheel spacers......

 

[Abington]

All this talk of lathes and mills had me searching Craigslist, where I found this little gem of an ad, gotta love typos.

Must be a pretty specific machine and that handy gay machine shop must be something else!

 

[Steve from Socal]

I have a little lathe, I am also looking for a big lathe. I know tons of people suggest old South Bends or Atlas but, make sure the lathe you buy has a gear box. 80 years ago a stack of change was acceptable, today it is down right frustrating.

Steve

 

[1948]

I bought an American Tool Works Tool Room Lathe Circa 1911 earlier this year. I have restored it and am almost ready to start using it.

pretty similar to mine!

 

[steel 35]

Here is one of three in my shop, Has milling attachment! But I still want a mill, and a bigger shop

 

[Stephenw]

I have a 3 in 1 machine sitting in pieces under my workbench. I need to build a stand and get it in working order.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Here is Mine, 84tlc 2136 made for Wards by Logan. About the same as a 200.
Gave $500 for it, with tooling you see here and more.

There is no clutch, longitude feed is through the half nut.

 

[DCarr]

13x40 picked up at an auction for 800$

Have had it for two years now and love it !!

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Here is one of three in my shop, Has milling attachment! But I still want a mill, and a bigger shop

is that a Logan?

 

[tcianci]

All this talk of lathes and mills had me searching Craigslist, where I found this little gem of an ad, gotta love typos.

Must be a pretty specific machine and that handy gay machine shop must be something else!

I'm pretty handy, but not gay and I have that same drill / mill. It sure comes in handy. I got it for free (long story) but it was a chore and a half to knock the thing down and carry it down a flight of steps to the basement!

 

[JasonTX]

South Bend 16 x 56. 9 feet long, 2500 lbs. Ebay: $900. Moved with me from CA to TX on a car trailer. Made so many things with it.

 

[ZRX61]

I have 3, well, 2 & most of a 3rd one.

'37 13x40 SB
'34 9in SB (most of it)
'54 Heavy 10 (with EVERYTHING)

All 3 are for sale.

 

[Steevo]

Yep.

I have this one only older and badged as an Atlas. I've used it once in all seriousness. I'd trade it in a heartbeat for even the worst little 3 in 1 machine because I use a milling operation more than any other. Try that w/o a mill!

I agree that a mill is either more useful, or the next most valuable tool behind a lathe.
I currently have a Taiwan mill/drill, but am always on the lookout for a small Clausing or Bridgeport.

 

[steel 35]

is that a Logan?

Craftsman / Atlas

 

[Steevo]

All this talk of lathes and mills had me searching Craigslist, where I found this little gem of an ad, gotta love typos.

Must be a pretty specific machine and that handy gay machine shop must be something else!

As Seinfeld would say "not that there's anything wrong with that" . . .

 

[Garage5.9]

Might be a stupid question but if i already have a drill press is it possible to mount the " Mill " portion of the mill to the drill press , if that makes sense ? what i mean is the part that allows you to feed in the material being milled ?

 

[Stephenw]

Might be a stupid question but if i already have a drill press is it possible to mount the " Mill " portion of the mill to the drill press , if that makes sense ? what i mean is the part that allows you to feed in the material being milled ?

No. A drill press is not designed for side loads. Vibration will also unseat the chuck taper and send the chuck flying.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Lots of old iron out there,just got to find what will work for you.

Here is my English CVA oldie,use it just about every day.

Be careful, they are addictive and may lead you to this!

I agree about the Mill, after a lathe you just gotta have a Mill. But that is even more addictive and could lead you to buy ridiculous amounts of tooling!

 

[dabirdguy]

I like the oldies. This is my Atlas:

 

[zmotorsports]

I know there are some that badmouth the Smithy Mill/Lathe/Drill combination machines but I have had good luck with mine. I bought the larger version which is 39" from headstock to tailstock and have been pleased overall with its performance. I have owned it for about twelve years now and have build many one-off parts for various projects over the years.

I know it is not anywhere near in the same ballpark as many listed on this thread but for what I use it for it works great. If I were doing production work it definately would not be adequate but the custom one-offs it work great. The trick is to not go off of the dials and use dial indicators for dimensions. With that I have been able to hold some pretty tight tolerances.

On a side note I should mention that it is generally the tooling that adds up to more than the lathe itself.

Mike.

 

[Crusty Nut]

This is my 14 inch swing with about an 8 foot bed Carrol-Jamieson lathe from about the 40's I would guess. I recently got it and have only used it a little so far. Still needs some cleaning.

 

[K13]

Here is mine a 1940 Logan. Probably the most indespensible tool I have. I would like a mill as well but I can do some basic milling with a lathe. It would be far more difficult to turn stuff on a mill.

 

[bobadame]

Here' a couple of oldies. The dark gray lathe is a Hardinge turret, the big one is a 1948 Pratt and Whitney. The PW is a really nice machine to use, still very accurate after all these years.

 

[Falcon67]

No. A drill press is not designed for side loads. Vibration will also unseat the chuck taper and send the chuck flying.

X2 - do NOT use a drill press as a mill. Most of the mid capacity DPs use a #2 Morse and it will release with side loads. Been there, done that. A mill uses a draw bar to capture + hold the collet/whatever in the spindle.

 

[Richard D]

All this talk of lathes and mills had me searching Craigslist, where I found this little gem of an ad, gotta love typos.

Must be a pretty specific machine and that handy gay machine shop must be something else!

I had one of these and a China 7x10 lathe, gave away BOTH of those pieces of ****. Now I have a 75 year old 9" South Bend, 45 year old Millrite mill, and a 12" Craftsman/Atlas I got from a neighbor, must be 30-50 years old. Forget the China **** and look for well maintained old U.S. or European tools. Dennis Turk on practicalmachinist.com message board has or can get most any part for popular old brand machines.

 

[Graham08]

I have a 13" x 40" Sheldon, which is a huge upgrade from the 9" South Bend I used to have. Here it's in the background:

And here I've got my Holdridge attachment set up turning a radius on a part:

I don't know what I would do without a lathe. The problem is it leads you down a slippery slope of buying other machines and tooling.

 

[toolman1967]

Lots of great looking older lathes here. I will need to go out and get a pic of my turn of the century Reed Prentice lathe. It is a 12 by 5 foot and I dont know what I would do without it. It does cause me to spend quite a bit on tooling though.

 

[ar2stp48]

I have a South Bend 9a (ca 1966) and a Smithy. Bought the Smithy for the small mill; and it was cheap. I had an Atlas before the SB; it had to go as it didnt have a quick change gear box.

There is a seller on ebay with parts to repair several of the older lathes; has the crossfeed and compound brass nuts; quality is excellent.


Stevo, I would suggest moving that outlet directly in line with the cutting area; or putting the child protective plugs in it.

 

[Falcon67]

>Forget the China **** and look for well maintained old U.S. or European tools.

A good idea but not very practical in Texas. You got lucky. I looked for a while before I popped for the HF unit. Nothing around here but worn out oil filed junk, usually huge. Or well used equipment that needed rebuilding for the price of new. I can hold under .005 on my cheapie, which is plenty for me. The mill is pretty tight and holds well for what I paid. I did not hold high expectations, so that helps. I'd trade for a Bridgeport, sure. I had a line on a 13x40 Logan but the guy would not turn loose of it. Everything else that has come up in the last 3 years is huge or trash. I'm just not that lucky - yet!

 

[PECVD2]

This is my TAIG micro lathe for small jobs.

Have acess to a couple of larger lathes if I need them but this works fine for most of what I do.

 

[rickairmedic]

My China lathe does just fine for what it is . Do I want a nice Southbend or Logan well yeah buuuuut . I have other priorities at the moment so for now it works . Brass Coke Bottle LED flashlight anyone .


Rick

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I want I want I want