I bought two lathe a while back and both lathes had the same problem with the chucks that came with them. One was a 10 inch Atlas and the other a 12 Craftsman that was made by Atlas.
Both chucks had what is commonly known as "bell mouth". When you insert a piece of stock all the way into the jaws and start to tighten them they grip the material at the back of the jaws but not the front. As you continue to bear down on the chuck key it forces the front of the jaws to grip as well. Sometimes. It happens to the chuck over time and is caused by gripping short pieces of stock in the jaws and bearing down hard on the chuck key. Eventually the jaws will deform or wear down or the ways that guide them will wear. This can happen over a long period of time or rather quickly depending on the quality of the chuck and the use of it. There is a repair but its only a band- aid fix, or, if you can find them you can replace the jaws. The only real answer is replacement of the chuck.
The point being is if you are out looking at used lathes check the jaws with a decent straight shaft of material. It may save you from buying something that needs replaced right away, causing you uneccesary expense and trouble.
I happened to buy the lathes cheap enough it wasnt a problem cost wise but chucks are not cheap and it would have been a better deal if I didnt have to replace the chucks in the first place. Hopefully this may help you in your search for a used lathe.
Both chucks had what is commonly known as "bell mouth". When you insert a piece of stock all the way into the jaws and start to tighten them they grip the material at the back of the jaws but not the front. As you continue to bear down on the chuck key it forces the front of the jaws to grip as well. Sometimes. It happens to the chuck over time and is caused by gripping short pieces of stock in the jaws and bearing down hard on the chuck key. Eventually the jaws will deform or wear down or the ways that guide them will wear. This can happen over a long period of time or rather quickly depending on the quality of the chuck and the use of it. There is a repair but its only a band- aid fix, or, if you can find them you can replace the jaws. The only real answer is replacement of the chuck.
The point being is if you are out looking at used lathes check the jaws with a decent straight shaft of material. It may save you from buying something that needs replaced right away, causing you uneccesary expense and trouble.
I happened to buy the lathes cheap enough it wasnt a problem cost wise but chucks are not cheap and it would have been a better deal if I didnt have to replace the chucks in the first place. Hopefully this may help you in your search for a used lathe.
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(found all info on russian-speaking forum about machining, as almost all lathes bought in Russia or Ukraine are weeeeelllll used