Need your thoughts

[longbeard]

Or opinions. I ran across a lathe yesterday that is just like this pic, he wants $250
Everything appeared to function properly, but the motor was noisy, to the point that im thinking to myself, self, you would have to wear ear plugs while you turned. Now, i ask if it had alway been that loud since he bought it(new) he said yes, and again im thinking it should not be that noisy. Head stock bearing replacement might be in order, but thats why im here asking for thoughts and opions. Im thinkink about $150 offer myself.




The pic above is the actual pic of the head stock

 

[BW Design Works]

If you need to do some repairs to it then I would definitely offer a lower price than his asking price. I haven't played around with this unit but I had an old shop smith that had the same problem. Turns out it was both the bearing and the variable speed pulley that was wore out. I replaced both only to have the lower pulley go out shortly after. I ended up just going out and buying a new Delta :biggrin:.

If you are up for the repair task then yes offer a lower price but be prepared that there could be other issues that do come up.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

What are you looking for it to do?

I've heard from a couple owners that replacing belts frequently can be an issue.

There is no reason a lathe should be loud. They aren't all whisper quiet but shouldn't be that bad.

That said, I've never seen one of these offered cheap. I would not pay $250 for it. $150 is probably a good deal as the tube lathes usually go around $100 or a bit more in my area.

 

[dogcatcher]

I think this is the lathe that Palmgren made for Sears, if it is I would run away from it. They were a disaster from the word go. Check on Sawmill Creek, I think I remember a couple of people bought them, maybe they can remember if this is the same lathe.

 

[longbeard]

Thanks guys for your thoughts, opinions and suggestions. I'm hoping this might draw some more attention from others also with some experience with this type of lathe.

I will be turning pens, peppermills and spindle items, maybe a bowl now and then.

 

[Band Saw Box]

If you can go back to look at the lathe and bring a screwdriver with you. Run the lathe and place the tip of the screwdriver in the area of the bearing and the handle to your ear it will tell you if it has a bad bearing you'll hear it growling. And I would also get the model # and see what thd parts would cost. If the guy selling it has any problem with what you doing just walk away.

 

[longbeard]

Well, after reading a few post on some other forums, i believe i'm gonna turn it down. I'm sure the issuses might be minor, but i dont have time to tinker with it. Thank you guys for your input, very much appreciated.

 

[gimpy]

I would steer away from it,

reason, craftsman,

I doubt that you would
be able to find parts for it

Craftsman only keeps parts
on hand for so long, then
they be *obsolete