What to do with an Atlas Lathe

RossR · Post by **RossR** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:35 pm

Friend of mine stoped in tonight and said he knows where a atlas bench lathe is in a garage. So in the truck we jumped and off we went. Sure enough and old time atlas bench lathe. I need some thoughts. Its old I figure 1936-1938, Got some decent tooling, lathe dogs, 4 jaw chuck face plate. Complete gear change set(not a quick change box.) Its a 10x something. The whole lathe is about 5 feet long including head stock. No power on the cross feed. appears to have threading dial though.

Overall its an old machine the ways are flat ways and appear in ok shape I forgot to check the bearings but I am assuming they are babbit rather than bearings. Other then the owner asking her son in law if he has any interest and she doesnt think he does. I can make an offer on it. With all of the tooling. No its not what I want BUT.....I figure for a small bench lathe for messing with knives or turning a wood handle or something it may be worth it. I can find not many good things to be said about atlas lathes but I figure it may be worth it. If nothig else something to refurb and have as and older machine tool.

So my question is I need to forumulate a price...I am thinking $200 sound too low or too high...just looking for your thoughts.

On a whole other topic I may be coming into a much bigger lathe. A hendey 14x40 Gear head lathe. More to come on that as I know more.

Thanks for any thoughts Oh and the serial number on it was D2859S Atlas press company. Kalamazoo Mich. Also had a 10D246 on the head stock casting. I tried to find a serial number listing on the net but no luck yet.

Thanks

Ross

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:19 am

Hey Ross
I leaned on Pete for info so I am not much help here. But its a start on tinkering. I been snooping around for DRO's and a few accessories for my new stuff. I hope to have my shop wired completly by next friday and the last week of July moveing machines to their resting places for the long waited fire up. Man I can hardly wait I get a weeks vacation to play with all my new machines. I'll post pics when I get some. I would like to share the shop with your guys after listening to me and giveing some good advice.
Keep us posted Ross

nektai · Post by **nektai** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:29 am

Ross,

I can tell you that my first lathe is still in my possession. It has passed through the hands of two other Junkies before getting to me. It started out with Mr. Douglas then it passed through Crzypete's shop and then I traded a spray gun for it (if memory serves). It is a small Ames collet lathe with no threading capabilities at all and it can only swing 6" or 7" at best. I love the little ting and I still go to it when I have some very small parts to make. It is a much more intimate experience than working on my Geared up Sheldon.

If you have the room and the price is right go for it. You can always sell it later, trade it with another Junkie or fall in love with it as a second operation lathe and keep it around.

It is a fun dilemma you have created for yourself

Mike Henry · Post by **Mike Henry** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:25 am

FWIW, I used to have a 1950's Craftsman (made by Atlas) 12x36 lathe ans was pretty happy with it at the time. I've since upgraded to a much heavier Clausing 12x36 and I seem to be doing much better work now, which I attribute more to the Clausing than to any possible increase in skill level.

The Craftsman ran me $1,000 but was in really good shape with a quick change gear box, a lot of accessories, books, and measuring instruments. $200 might be a real bargain for the one you are considering if it is in good shape and even better if there is also some tooling with it.

Mike

crzypete · Post by **crzypete** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:39 am

I love the concept of buying and upgrading. I am on my third metal lathe and my third wood lathe. By buying low, selling high, and adding some funds along the way I have worked my way up the ladder to very respectable machines.

I am all for buying it, using it until you get frustrated, selling it for equal or more than you paid and getting the new greatest thing.

This is all good, unless time is a major issue for you- if time is more important than money, skip the intermediate steps and buy exactly what you want the first time.

$200 is way cheap, really just a matter of the time involved.....

Pete

Mike Henry · Post by **Mike Henry** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:35 pm

I have problems with buying bargain (and not so much) used tools as placeholders for the ones I really want. Stuff like buying a clapped out SB lathe when it was really a Monarch that was wanted, though neither is a real example.

For me, the problems occur in several forms, including the time spent to pick up the placeholder, tear it down and fix it up at least a little, move it down to the basement shop, get frustrated at it's limitations, then move it back up to the garage for the new owner to haul it off. In the meantime it takes up shop space that could be better used for a better machine, or in extreme cases, just getting around the shop without stubbing toes on stacked up "stuff". Breakeven on the cost of the placeholder machine itself, excluding expenses, is usually just a forlorn hope that is rarely realized. I'm finding that selling some of these tools is a major headache all by itself, what with answering emails and dealing with packaging, shipping and the odd return.

That's probably not a problem for those that are retired, enjoy working on old tools, are on an tight budget and a multitude of other considerations but I've started to give some serious thought to to altering my approach to shop tools.

Just food for thought...

Mike

RossR · Post by **RossR** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:29 pm

Thanks for all the thoughts. I threw the offer out there now will wait and see. She still needs to talk to the son in law so who knows. I will keep ya all posted.

Ross

RossR · Post by **RossR** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:46 am

Well She is just fine with the $200 offer and will take it but the son in law is going back in forth on if he wants to keep it around. So it isnt looking good. Keeping my fingers crossed though

Ross

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:47 am

Hey Ross how is the deal going. Got the lathe yet

RossR · Post by **RossR** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:47 pm

Well mystry it isnt looking good. My friend who is kinda brokering the deal for me stoped tonight. The son in law wants her to keep ti around for a little while...just in case......so for now its a dead deal...oh so close...We are gonna check back with her in a couple months to see if he changed his mind at all. But its all good since i have all the machines coming from my uncles I am plenty busy. Spent today preping and painting the delta toolmakers surface grinder.

Thanks for asking

Ross

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:37 am

hope Santa drops a nice shinie one off for you soon...