ideas on metal lathes on the cheap

[jskeen]

Ok all you metal heads, we all know that a metal lathe is the next logical step in this obsession we all share, so I'm looking for some more info to start the process. I've been looking at one of these old style atlas/craftsman 6 inch lathes to start playing around with. Here's a pretty decent example, not in my area but sorta what I'm thinking about.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-ATLAS...ultDomain_0&hash=item3caf317242#ht_500wt_1154

So, what are the downfalls of these lathes, what do you want to look out for, what accessories cost more to replace than the lathe if they are missing?

And what are the limits of one of these over a modern chi-com lathe about the same size? Seems that you can cut threads, taper, knurl, ect. Is it so much more difficult on something like this as to make it not worth the trouble?

Thanks for the input

 

[mredburn]

The biggest issue would be wear. If you got one that had been pristinely taken care of they are great lathes. There is a couple of websites Ive run accross dedicated to parts and repairs etc.

 

[skiprat]

I wouldn't touch that particular lathe. If the half nuts are shot then the rest of it can't be far behind.

I find that second hand lathes like Southbend and Myford etc are most often a good deal primarily because of the collection of extra bits that normally come with them. But the prices are not often a lot cheaper than a decent Chinese clone. The quality of these new clones are getting better and better while the second hand ones are just getting more and more worn.
A new clone also has a warranty:wink:

If you are going to buy second hand, then I would want to actually see the machine working before buying it. If you don't really know what to look for, then take a buddy that does.

Good luck:biggrin:

 

[bitshird]

I'm with Skip on this one, at that price, you can get a Harbor Freight 9x20 which is a decent lathe, and for a bit more the Grizzly 9x20 which also comes with both a 3 and a 4 jaw chuck. There are a lot of parts available for the old Craftsman, South Bend and Atlas lathes, but the money they are looking at for that lathe is too much. like Steven said if the half nut is stripped, either the bedways are worn to heck or some one got way to heavy handed on it.

 

[islandturner]

If you are going to buy second hand, then I would want to actually see the machine working before buying it. If you don't really know what to look for, then take a buddy that does.

I've been looking for a metal lathe as well for about a year now. Man, there is a lot of junk out there. What do you experienced metal lathe guys look for when inspecting one?

I agree you have to see it running. I take along my magnetic base dial gauge to measure the 'wander' of the headstock spindle, chucks, and so forth that they might have. Look at the alignment of a dead center in the headstock to a live center in the tailstock. Look at the oil reservoir. Listen with ear to the headstock for anything inside. Check the looseness of the handwheels on the various feeds – how far do they have to turn before the screw engages. Condition of the lead screw. Check that everything works, and that nothing is frozen…

Anything else?

Tks
Steve

 

[bitshird]

Steve. it's a good idea to never own a piece of equipment you can't work on, some times you can get a good deal on some older Tech School cast offs and with a little bit of work have a good lathe. If you are handy and fairly mechanically inclined check out some of the government surplus auctions.

 

[Mike of the North]

The small Craftsman lathe is prone to bent spindles, thy can't take a heavy cut, but work fine if careful, there are a few yahoo groups dedicated to Craftsmen lathes. Hobby machinist sites are also a good source of info.
http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/
http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/
http://www.projectsinmetal.com/
http://www.ibiblio.org/machineshop/machineshop-metalworking-blacksmithing-bookmarks.html
http://www.freelabs.com/~whitis/ebooks/index.xhtml
http://shopswarf.orconhosting.net.nz/sindex.html
http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/index.php?

You can waste many hours looking at these sites, enjoy.

 

[mredburn]

I look not only to se if there is exesive end play on the feed screws, but also wear on the ways, can you catch a nail on a lip? Will the saddle or crossslide twist or rock back and forth, you can pay more to repair a lathe than you can to buy a good one.