I am a proud new owner of a vintage craftsmen/atlas lathe

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pics as soon as possible... anybody else own a the12x 36'' craftsmen/atlas lathe ??Last edited by DemonSpeeder; 10-14-2011 at 01:09 AM.Lincoln 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:This is what it looks like, but not mine...... Attached ImagesLincoln 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:I have a smaller version, same basic machine, no QCG, mine is maybe 10x24 I think
Reply:Congrats on the new lathe. Would like to see the pictures when you get it set up.I always wanted to learn how to use one. I've been looking around for a small one to learn on.Since you're close by, maybe I'll come take some lessons!Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Congrats on the new lathe!  Not sure if you know about it or not, but there is a great site for the home shop machinist: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/...bcf4d9c407f7d9There are is a yahoo group for this lathe as well, IIRC.  Good luck and have fun makin chips!
Reply:Best advice I can give is.........practice.Seriously...read on the web, books, etc. Then go turn large pieces into small pieces.Andrew
Reply:WW member MarkBall2  has one similar to that... U might pm him.  He has found a lot of info online and extra kool parts.  He runs his quite a bit and has become quite proficient at it. enjoy,Last edited by PapaLion; 10-14-2011 at 10:41 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Make practice fun and worth while. Practice just for practice sake is boring and not very rewarding. My advise is figure out something you would like to have and make it. But really figure it out, how long ,How big around etc. If it doesn't come out exactly right, you will have learned why. However there are little things that you must learn between each step when making a project. like how to grind a tool and how to read the markings on the lathe and how to set up the speeds on the compound transverse.  Lathes are fun and broaden your expectations keep it that way.  Mac  PS   By the way I have an atlas, same size about 20 years older than yours with every attachment they made for it. But I never use it. I also have a larger LeBlond.Last edited by Tool Maker; 10-14-2011 at 10:52 PM.Reason: Wanted to add pertinent statement.
Reply:Wb4rt.... You are welcome to come mess around and make some chips...Mr RedHawk thanks for the links.... Thank you guys for the advice, I am planning on cleaning it up and building a better stand first and then I have a whole list of projects to do, I will probably redo others as well...As far as research.....I research everything like crazzy  It will probably be a while before I can get pics up since my ex ran off with the camera... I'm sure I will have plenty off questions.......Lincoln 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:I have a QC54c I think is the model number.. 12x36 with quick change gear box for easier threading etc.I put up a few videos on youtube of it running the first week I got it.. look for my name jdchmiel on youtube if you are interested.miller syncrowave 250hobart handler 140home made 400 amp engine driven in progress...
Reply:I have a Logan that I love.  Lathes are so much fun to use and very handy to have.  Just like having a welder, you don't know what you were missing until you have one.  The project list will get quite long in a short amount of time...even if it's simple stuff.I just turned out some legs for a dresser that I refinished.  Exactly what I wanted and solid aluminum for a fraction of what it would have cost to buy something.Last edited by kazlx; 10-18-2011 at 04:30 PM.
Reply:One of my first projects was a plumb bob...gave it to Dad for Christmas.
Reply:I cut my teeth on an old Craftsman Atlas lathe just like that. Did the job until I upgraded to my 11X36 Rockwell.
Reply:What did u pay for. It?   The is one a few hrs from me 4 sale but don't have any pics of itTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I also have the 12X36 with the quick change gear box i also put a KDK quick change tool setup on mineThere a nice little machine to learn onBacked 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:I have an atlas clausing.  There are manuals online if you search around.  Google a bit before paying for one.
Reply:I just got its smaller cousin last week (model 618), figure it will make a nice winter projectBeware of the manuals and technical bulletins. There seems to be "some variation" in actual parts used which may be due to replacement at some point in the machines "history" or manufacturing versions which never made it into print. I've spent the last 36 hours trying to figure out how to remove the spindle. Apparently straightforward following Clausing's TB's and parts diagrams for both Atlas and Craftsman versions, that's just too easy ... mine's a bit different!Have fun!Last edited by wirehead; 11-20-2011 at 05:07 PM.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:You will really enjoy that machine. I had a 11x24 Grizzly but sold it due to it being smaller than what I wanted and I hate changing belts to get my speed and feeds. I have used on similar to that and it ran very well and was dead on precise.
Reply:So I decided to try and use my cell phone camera instead of buying a new one( not really a priority) anyway... The first couple are how it looked when I got it and during clean up, painted and removed from the old crappy stand, then the stand I built and then the lathe mounted to the new stand...... Attached ImagesLincoln 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:More pics.... Attached ImagesLincoln 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:I got to use the lathe to make some bushing's for my belt grinder project......all i can say is I can't decide which I like more; fabing,welding or machining.Lincoln 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:Yep,I just moved in  a Atlas 12x36 myself. Mine has the quickchange box. Steady rest, milling attachment, 4 chucks, collet closer and buckets (I'm not kidding) and buckets of tooling.Be careful if you try to cut in reverse, the chuck is threaded on and will unscrew, ask me how I know....TimTim Beeker.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawWhat did u pay for. It?   The is one a few hrs from me 4 sale but don't have any pics of it
Reply:Originally Posted by tnjindYep,I just moved in  a Atlas 12x36 myself. Mine has the quickchange box. Steady rest, milling attachment, 4 chucks, collet closer and buckets (I'm not kidding) and buckets of tooling.Be careful if you try to cut in reverse, the chuck is threaded on and will unscrew, ask me how I know....Tim
Reply:I've got about twice that amount in mine with tooling only.  See mine was given to me for the grand price of a tank of fuel & rent of a cherry picker.  The tooling is the expensive part.Welding, Fabricating, running the mill or lathe................ it's all fun.  Now go make some more parts.  The addiction is upon you......HahahahahahaMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate BuildNice lathe, but I was paying more attention to the old inline 6 Merc with the cowling off.  We called those "Tower of Power"!
Reply:Originally Posted by SJCNice lathe, but I was paying more attention to the old inline 6 Merc with the cowling off.  We called those "Tower of Power"!
Reply:I hade a 10x36 atlas then I got a 12x 60 southbend.I sold atlas and got a 20x? american. I would almost trade big lathe for a smaller one. Its not as handy or user freindly if you dont need size. I wont reckamend geting a biger lathe unless you are going to have to have its larger swing.Big machines have lost a lot of thier value over the last 10 years most are only worth scrap.
Reply:Originally Posted by Old DougI hade a 10x36 atlas then I got a 12x 60 southbend.I sold atlas and got a 20x? american. I would almost trade big lathe for a smaller one. Its not as handy or user freindly if you dont need size. I wont reckamend geting a biger lathe unless you are going to have to have its larger swing.Big machines have lost a lot of thier value over the last 10 years most are only worth scrap.
Reply:So I have an annoying problem with this lathe... The bull gear pin that connects the main shaft pulley the the bull gear keeps backing out. Sometimes it stays locked for 5-10 minutes or run time and sometimes it won't stay locked for more than 40 seconds... this is really annoying when I'm trying to make a nice smooth last cut.... any ideas as to how to remedy this problem???Lincoln 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:The bull gear has a screw compressing a spring and ball detent holding that pin in its "2 positions". When I got everything apart I found the little spring inside the bullgear was totally mangled. Alternatively, the pulley has 4 locations to fit the bull gear's pin. The one engaging the pin now may just be "worn". You might find better engagement by rotating the pulley 90, 180, or 270 degrees relative to the bull gear. Have you ever removed the spindle assembly?HTHLast edited by wirehead; 01-18-2012 at 09:40 AM.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:Apologies to the OP, no hi-jack intended. But with the without QCGB, is it really that big a pain to change gears? How much time are we talking?Thanks, and sorry again to the OP. I'm just always on the look out for lathe info. 200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by wireheadThe bull gear has a screw compressing a spring and ball detent holding that pin in its "2 positions". When I got everything apart I found the little spring inside the bullgear was totally mangled. Alternatively, the pulley has 4 locations to fit the bull gear's pin. The one engaging the pin now may just be "worn". You might find better engagement by rotating the pulley 90, 180, or 270 degrees relative to the bull gear. Have you ever removed the spindle assembly?HTH
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderApologies to the OP, no hi-jack intended. But with the without QCGB, is it really that big a pain to change gears? How much time are we talking?Thanks, and sorry again to the OP. I'm just always on the look out for lathe info.
Reply:Hello DemonSpeeder!  Congratulations on the new acquisition of the Craftsman/Atlas 12x36 lathe!  You will enjoy working with that machine.!   I have two...  a 1935 vintage 12x24 and a mid-1970s model 101.28990 12 x36 Commercial.  The newer machine is still dissassembled and stored on shelving awaiting restoration.  The older '35 model is working after restoration (and modification) a couple of years ago.  The older unit did not have power cross-feed; the carriage ran on a 5/8" leadscrew.   I procured a 3/4" leadscrew from a 36" lathe, shortened it, turned down the driven end and used my drill press as a poor mans mill to cut the drive slot.  Pics can be found here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/atlas_...66852/pic/list (you may need to sign up for the yahoo group to view photos) and here: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ighlight=Lathe  Those pics were taken just after refurb and paint but before leadscrew mod. and any real use.I have made screw-top containers from solid alu round stock, brass screw inserts threaded inside for machine screw and outside for wood to repair outdoor furniture, modified wood router bits, made press dies for pushing large drill chucks apart and back together to replace worn and broken jaws, and a bunch of other handy projects where i needed a part not readily available locally.    Best toy....  er, ah,  I mean Tool, I ever bought!-MondoLast edited by Mondo; 01-18-2012 at 06:55 PM.Reason: correct spelling before I offend someone.Member, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Originally Posted by DemonSpeederNo appoligies needed.... "If" you plan on doing any threading than yes a QCGB is something you will find important. Without the QCGB you will need to find/or make different sets of gears and you will need to remove and install the different sets each time you need a different size or pitch thread. The basic gears are basically used just for powerfeed( at least thats the way mine is set up rite now). So I guess it really depends on what you plan on doing with a lathe, if you just want to make bushings or other parts that don't need threading,than I wouldn't worry about it....