looking to buy a lathe

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I have been keeping my eye out for a lathe to pick up. I have never owned one, don't really know how to use one, but had lathes at school and a couple of places I have worked and found them handy to have around. Three different ones I see for sale that I am thinking of going and taking a look at. South Bend 9 x 48", Craftsman 6 x 24", and a Logan that I have yet to get any pertinent information on. Any thoughts? Is there one that really sticks out or one that I should not be interested in? Like I said, I don't even know what I will use it for other than the odd job where I need to turn something.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:Condition should be the first consideration....Mines a shorter version of the South Bend 9A...Logan is good too...and Craftsman is generally considered a lesser lathe than the other two.... But condition & accessories for a hobby lathe would make up my mind over other factors.Look over the following site,it has a buyers guide in it...http://www.lathes.co.uk/
Reply:It looks like I am going to go look at the Logan tonight. The guy doesn't know what model it is, he is at work and is going to have his son look at it and call me back. He said that the overall length of it is about 5ft. It runs on 110v and has cast iron legs. He doesn't know much about it, bought it from an old shop and stuck it in his shed. He says it runs and comes with a bunch of stuff. He does not want much $ for it so I am going to go look at it. Anything I should be looking for other than how shiny it is?Thanks for the link.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:The tutorial in the link I posted "Buying a Lathe" will give more specifics,but generally check within  a foot of the chuck for wear on the ways. You are going to find some usage wear on any one of those 3 lathes..face it they are old.Depending on overall condition,accessories,care by the previous owner/owners...Some owners just take better care of their tools than others...this is usually evident at a glance, your next factor is probably $$$. I got my SB 9A for $400,S&H $250,repairs $$$$,more parts/pieces more $$$$,added stuff I wanted more $$$$......Lets just say I'm rounding the bend past the $1200 point and it's not finished and it doesn't have a pile of accessories either...Depending on the year/model/size/price of the Logan...I like them and they are good machines unless damaged or abused,but that's true of the SB & Craftsman also.If you can snap pictures of the area around the chuck along the ways as well as overall,I'm sure others here will be able to give a more informed assessment of what you're looking at. If it runs,isn't beat to death or rusted all up,has accessories,and you can live with the price...you will have answered your own questions.If it's close enough to go get...big plus...mine cost a lot to ship...and then I couldn't prove who damaged it..the shipper,the seller,or the warehouse I had it shipped to...my $$$ lost in the end...it cost over $600 damaged to me. I was going to just re-sell the thing,but it was built the month before I was born--- I just got attached to the dang thing..LOLYou are in a lathe rich area...down here they are scarce and usually destroyed. Good LuckLast edited by mudbugone; 07-27-2009 at 09:24 AM.
Reply:I just heard back from the guy. It is a Logan model 820. The guy seems to know less about lathes than I do! The price is right however the guy says he works a lot of hours and this weekend would be the best time to come look at it. My experience has been that there is always someone more persistent than me who gets there first and buys what I have scheduled a time to come look at. Oh well, we will see. Time to do some research on a Logan 820.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:It should resemble this one  http://cgi.ebay.com/Logan-Model-820-...d=p3286.c0.m14Nice looking lathe in the auction...yours may be different.Strange you have to wait until the weekend to see it....If I'm selling something 11:00 PM works for me if you've got the cash.A word of caution >>>>>  That thing weighs over 500#  It's very top heavy and if you aren't careful you can snap off a cast iron leg. If you look at the ebay picture you'll notice the lathe is attached to a wooden frame---easiest and safest method to handle one. Be careful when moving it and strapping it down to a trailer.... really GOOD cargo straps(with pads on the ways) are needed to prevent damage to the ways or cutting the straps. 500# moving around can get scary. You might even consider taking the lathe loose from the legs to transport instead of moving it intact.I only add this because you stated you don't know much about lathes....They are heavy, awkward with machined surfaces you don't want to damage and they can shift in transit in a heartbeat. REMOVE all parts you can....It makes things lighter and they don't fall off along the road..COVERS,TAILSTOCK,CARRAGE,CHUCK...ANYTHING that might work loose..WILLI saw a big 30 foot one along the interstate in the ditch(chains broke) a couple of years ago in a curve...the truck driver was parked there scratching his head and looking at it. I often wonder how they re-loaded that monster.Last edited by mudbugone; 07-27-2009 at 10:17 AM.
Reply:I am machinist by trade. Get yourself a dial indicator and a magnetic base (can get it from harbor fright)Check the play in the ways on boy axis..Check to see how much play in the ball screws. (ball screws are expensive).How do the gears change.  Test all gears.Does it thread? Check your feed speeds and see if they all work.Good luck.ALso, southbends are nice.
Reply:If it were me I would push a bit harder to see it before the weekend. Even if it's a quick look, you can decide if you may want it and give him some kind of down payment/deposit. I say that because any lathe that is priced correctly is sought after by more people that you can count. Some buyers get aggressive and push their way in for a look and then quickly snap it up. You may as well be in that group if you are wanting a lathe. That's just my 2¢ on the subject, but I urge you to not be too passive about getting a view of the lathe ASAP......... pgDynasty 200 DX_set up to run on 3 phaseCoolmate 3MM 251 w/ Spoolmatic 30AHTP 625 Micro Cut Plasma CutterVictor O/A RigBridgeport Mill_3 phase10 inch South Bend Lathe_3 phaseQuincy 325 2 Stg. Air Compressor_3 phase
Reply:I am going to get the lathe (provided that it isn't junk) on sunday. What tools do I need to take this thing apart? Logan 820Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:Regular wrenches,screwdrivers...WD40--PB Blaster--Liquid Wrench just in case. Something to wrap and box pieces/accessories in. An engine hoist & lifting straps if you have one might be a big help.....ORA big friend or two would be a plus..These things are awkward & heavy......ORBOTH the hoist & the friend/sThat lathe probably weighs over 500#... The legs aren't a lot of that weight. The legs....the tailstock...the Carrage....The Chuck...the motor will bring it down to two man managable weightlifting exercise.A lot will depend on where it's stored.... I knew a guy that had to hand carry the parts from a storage building around the side of a house and across a lawn. He couldn't back up to the building in the backyard.Good Luck...Hope it works out for you...Let us know what happens even if you pass on it.(With Pictures---LOL)
Reply:I went and got it in the rain this afternoon. The guy had gotten it out of his shed and it was sitting in his driveway under a tarp. He had an articulating skid steer thing of sorts, should have taken a picture of that, it was quite the contraption. Got it unloaded and spent the last couple hours trying to clean it up a little. It came with a bucket of stuff some of which I have any idea what they are. The lathe is shorter than the guy thought it was. It looks to be 24" long. Seems to be in pretty good shape. Here are some pics of the mess. Attached ImagesMiller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:Don't know what you gave for it,but it looks pretty good from the little I can see. Lots of extra bits & pieces which are a big plus if you have to buy them seperate from the lathe.If you don't know what something is post a picture and it'll get identified.From your original post about him not wanting many $$$$ you probably found a deal... Glad it worked out for you.
Reply:Well I spent some time searching and figured out what most of the stuff is. I guess I have a couple of knurlers (s/p?)  as well. Not sure how to use them. I need to find a manual for this machine and a basic book on lathe use. I have a friend that went to school for machining, he is going to come buy and help me out. The rest of the lathe is there as well, (legs, tray, covers) I just didn't take pictures of it. I gave $200 for it. I was happy to do it.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:I think you stole that.  $200 is way cheap.
Reply:Looks more like an $850+ lathe from here...You done real goodYou probably got 2-3 times that amount in extra pieces on the table picture,let alone the lathe.Hows this..  http://cgi.ebay.com/LOGAN-LATHES-CAT...d=p3286.c0.m14or this..http://cgi.ebay.com/Logan-820-Lathe-...3286.m20.l1116Logan also had a small pocketbook on "how to use a lathe" similar to the one put out by South Bend to accompany their lathes. If I see an example of it I'll post it also.All I can say is---Enjoy the new toy!Last edited by mudbugone; 08-03-2009 at 08:33 AM.
Reply:Have you found Logan's website yet?  http://www.lathe.com/  They have a lot of info on there!  I had a much newer 1965 model 12 x 48 varaible speed that I really liked.  Great lathe!  Then, I found a late 50's Logan 15 x 60 that was identical in every way except being bigger, weighing twice as much, and having a brass nameplate instead of an aluminum at a local machinery trader.  I traded up for my old one plus a little cash and now have a really nice lathe of decent size.  I also found a friend of mine an 820 like yours.  I really like the Logans...
Reply:I got the thing set up and running. Everything looks good. The lathe has seen a lot of use, looks like it could use a couple of bushings to tighten things up. I want to buy a chuck to go in the tailstock. Anyone have any experience with the cheap keyless ones you see on ebay? I assume they are chinese from the price. I am looking at a 3/4" mt2 keyless for $40. I will snap a couple of pics of the thing all set up.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:For a metal lathe something from the late 30's to the early 70's is the way to go. You can get a Altas benchtop with no motor and all kinds of tools for under $300. I have seen SouthBend's with all the fixings cabinet and all for $1000. I am looking for a monster, 18-20 inches of swing and a 6 foot bed to turn axles and large weldments. Damn, I found an old Atlas last week with the asking price in cutters for $150 at a yard sale to bad it was a baby. Keep your eyes open and you will find what your looking for.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I just bought a South Bend Model C 9" with a 36" bed. (1947)It came with a 4 jaw.. I just bought a 3 jaw and a quick release tool post..I have to make the backing plate.You got a hell of a deal.. I search for mine for some time.I'm looking at a larger South Bend 15"x60"Hope to make the deal this weekend..Enjoy the machine! The only stupid question is the one that was never asked.
Reply:I've got step by step pics of making a backing plate adapter using a four jaw and nothing but a caliper for measuring.  Resource limits can be overcome with a little bit of problem solving.
Reply:IMC:I have a Logan 820 also.  I don't use it much anymore because I have a larger SB.  That should be a nice lathe for you and you got it for less than a 1/3 what I gratefully paid for mine.  If you have any problems, just watch ebay and eventually parts show up if you are patient.Logan is actually still supported by a descendant of the original owners.  Here is a user's group that is very helpful and active:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lathe-list/Here is the web site of Logan Actuator:http://www.lathe.com/Logan was sold by Montgomery Wards for a few years, while Atlas was sold by Sears.  Logan is probably a better machine and at least comparable to the South Bend.Congratulations on a steal!Ed ThomasEMT-P, USN (retarded), part-time blacksmithLTEC & Linde Heliarc 250 HF, Millermatic 185,Victor/Uniweld O/A and propanelathes/mills/shapers/power hammers/etc