Finally scored an old lathe

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I've been looking at this lathe for a week and finally bought it today for $500.00.  It was originally $1200.00. It was part of an estate sale and unfortunately before I could get it some a$$hole stole the quick change tool holder off it. I bought it anyway because I thought it still was a fair deal. It's a Craftsman/Atlas 12". That's all I know about it and I have no clue how to use it but I'm going to learn. I've been looking for a long time. To my untrained eye it appears to be in good condition. Everything is nice and tight. It came on some kind of stainless steel table but I kinda like the Gurney. Sure makes it easy to move around. Even so the thing was an mf to move. All comments welcome. Attached Images
Reply:Good little lathe. The 4-jaw appears to be new. Take your time and read that manual thoroughly. Check Enco for an Aloris clone toolpost set...I personally like the wedge version at slightly more money. For the money, I wouldn't spend the bucks on a true Aloris...at least not on a hobby size lathe. Enco usually has a sale with 15-25% off every other month. Look to spend in the $100-$125 range. You are going to go broke outfitting that lathe with tooling...just saying.EDIT, BTW, lose the gurney and build/buy a bench that is rock solid. Those hobby sized lathes are none too rigid and need a good foundation. Before everyone slams that comment...and the Aloris comment, I own a smaller South Bend and have an Aloris copy while having used true Aloris equipment.Last edited by WyoRoy; 08-03-2012 at 04:21 PM.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:I like how its pretty much in you kitchen
Reply:Nice findBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:You are going to have fun with that lathe, there is a great amount of help on the web guys showing how to do thing.  Here is where I bought my quick change post and tool holders.http://www.cdcotools.com/index.php   best prices I've seen on them.Here is another tool you will need, the devil made me do it.here is a guy that has many videos on lathe tips.\Here is something I came up with   have funTom Attached Images
Reply:Congrats... and in the living room no less.
Reply:Nice machine..You will find it very handy!I'M not sure but I THINK you can get a gear set that will let you cut metric threads on it..Ran a Hardinge that looked very much the same in the gear swap area..Had the gear set and the instructions..But it worked.....zap!Last edited by zapster; 08-03-2012 at 10:06 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Where are you located bud? I may have some parts for you!  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Sweet you even got one with a GCGB...  That's a good deal for $500Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:That's a really good price for all that you got. I will agree that the base is very important for the accuracy of the lathe.  The cast iron bed will tweak under load. The most rigid bed you can build will be the one you want. Iv'e found that welding a large, maybe 6 inch pipe, inside a peace of deep Chanel Makes a very untwist- able bed.  Enjoy the learning curve,  It never stops when you get into machine work.  Mac
Reply:Thanks guys, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm going to take everyone's advice to heart and make sure it's on a rigid table.  It looks like the PO was setting it up when he passed away.Weldermike, I live in Georgia. What you got?Zap, you're right, it will cut metric threads with the correct tool. I'm stoked.What's a GCGB?It is sitting in the living room but turns out there's a price to pay. We're going to look at new living room chairs tomorrow. For some reason I don't think they're going to cost only $500.00. But, it's been so hot here I had a choice to make.
Reply:Iv'e found that welding a large, maybe 6 inch pipe, inside a peace of deep Chanel Makes a very untwist- able bed.
Reply:We are kinda far away from each other, as far as shipping goes, but i'm gonna be buying new shortly, and I have this Atlas that I locked up. The carriage rolls foward and back, but thats about it. I had this lathe for a long time, and i'm not happy about what happened to it but, thats life. Screw threads bent, blew out gear box for auto feed, whole nine yrds. I would like to let it go to someone that could use it. Let me know if your interested, if not no biggie. It's a little worn and got some lash in it, but I got by for a long time with it.  Attached ImagesI hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Don't know the answers to many things in life, but it never kept me quiet before... The GCGB should probably read QCGB. Quick Change Gear Box. Your lathe, and I'm not that familiar with Atlas lathes, has the QCGB for selecting speeds and feeds instead of the pick gears like you have inside your headstock side cover. Could be standard on later Atlas models such as yours or an upgrade by the previous owner(s). Much easier/quicker to select speeds via the QCGB than to fumble around with the pick gears on the side getting a close approximation.If you find you need any original parts, give me a shout and I'll dig up the contact info for a seller out in NY I've been very happy with for coming up with parts for my old South Bend. In the past, his prices have always been good and his parts are better than what his descriptions lead one to believe. Atlas is one of the brands he specializes in. As for other bits and pieces, especially new items, take to heart the advice about CDCO Tools you received from acourtjester...forgot about them!You might find a little useful information on this web site.http://www.lathes.co.uk/atlas/page4.htmlOnce again, you are going to be one broke SOB in the very near future. Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Nice, a man after my own heart since my Clausing is set up in my family room right now. Tubalcain's vids are great for someone looking to learn. He's got a ton of them for the lathe and tooling for you to sit and go thru..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Nice score!  There are two gears on the side of the lathe that get changed to do metric threading.Clean it up good and oil everything. Keep oil in the cups for the bearings and keep that gearbox oiled.Be careful with it, do lots of reading, and have fun with it!I have some experience owning a 10" atlas so if you have any questions just shoot.For machining stuff I hang out at these two:http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/forum.phphttp://www.machinistweb.com/forum/
Reply:Very keen lathe. Now, men are maligned enough in various womens yak centers for not being very focused on their world... while I personally find it great in the beautiful space  to park that great piece of well oiled machinerty there so you can watch a little TV and listen to the stereo, grab a beer easily...re think it ??? ya think  She, (the great and powerful  womanbeast who you share the man cave with) SHE might find it a breach of all things right and holy.   Just a thought.  This goes for you to DSW if the shoe fits?enjoy, ps; great refunction for the hospital guerney.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I'm lucky that my wife believes our house is to live in and enjoy. Still, she has her limits. I got this deal passed by her because it's so hot outside.
Reply:U owe her big.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:HVW u said you live in GA right? Was that the estate sell over in Fayetteville? I saw that one and was gonna snatch it up i live in NewnanEquipment:Miller Syncrowave 250dxMillermatic 252Lincoln Ranger 250 propaneLN-25