Opinions on 6" Atlas Lathe

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Hey Guys:     I'm looking to buy a Lathe and saw this one on Craigslist and was wondering what you guys think of it. Being that I don't know jacks--t about Lathes I would greatly appreciate any comments or advice that you could give me. The guy who's selling it is asking $600.00 for it. I saw a thread on here about a 6" Atlas Lathe with pictures that another member was selling but the one I'm looking to buy looks bigger so I'm wondering if it's a larger model. It looks like it has a shift lever on it so I'm guessing that's used for changing gears. I tried uploading the pictures off of Craigslist but for some reason it wouldn't work. If you want to get a look at it go to Craigslist under Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and check out the ads for the 24th of august under tools. Thanks .                                                                                Jammer:
Reply:I can't see much in the pics other than there are limited accessories with it & that $600 is probably on the high end of a 6" atlas(it might be a 10" they look similar you have to measure). It needs to have little wear under the chuck at that price(unless it's larger than a 6").Look at ebay item # 150287179218 (nice tooling) or since you're in Penn. try # 120297739173. The first one has much tooling the second is close--they are both better prices.Find out the serial number to be sure of the size...measured from the center of the chuck to the ways.I bought a 9" Southbend a few years ago that got damaged in shipping so the original $375+ $250 shipping + repair kinda took away the deal factor.I quit adding after I reached the $1200 mark buying stuff to go with it & for it, it's starting to remind me of a boat.The stand I built for it was actually my first welding project the day after I unpacked my Hobart(can I add the welder to the cost of the lathe?) I'm located in a dead zone for machine tools while you are in a very hot spot for them. Just remember that everything additional you have to purchase in the way of accessories--chucks,steady rest,follow rest,change gears--will all be at a premium price.If it's close and handy & suits your needs/wants ---there is a lot to be said for in the neighborhood where you can look at it first, but I've seen a lot of lathes in your area go for less money. So,if it isn't great or you just have to have it...I'd look for a little larger lathe and perhaps a better deal on one. This is just my thoughts and not being able to see the lathe any better...It may be a diamond in the rough,but can't tell from the posted pics. If you buy it there are many information sources on the Atlas on the web .Good Luck,Dave
Reply:The little Atlas lathes are pretty good machines.  I have a 12" Atlas in my shop, and find myself using it more than my larger southbends.  I agree it does look bigger than a 6" in the picture.  It is hard to tell.  The seller is wrong about Sears using the Atlas name as it was actually the other way around.  Atlas built lathes for sears but they were sold under the craftsman name.  I have a 12" Craftsman lathe built by atlas.  The shift lever is probably for disengaging the belt that turns the headstock, and not for changing gears.  These lathes were belt driven and you disengage the headstock with the lever and then move the drive belt to the pulley you want to run to speed it up or slow it down.  I would have to see the machine before I could say whether it is worth the $600.  However almost all of the parts are still available.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:The price on the 6" seems sort of in the ballpark if it has some tooling with, and it's in good shape.  It just seems to be a matter of luck to find a good deal close enough to take advantage of.I payed 400 for this 12x48 Atlas/Clausing.  It's heavier built than the Sears machines.  Also when Atlas bought out Clausing they adapted more of a traditional style of bedways.  Grooved instead of flat. As a bonus, this one already had a taper attachment mounted on it. Only thing I found wrong so far has been a stripped mainshaft gear which engages with the backgear.  I was able to still get the gear from Clausing.  Sittin' right here in the house, and will probably sit here until Fall when I have time to work on the lathe. Attached Images
Reply:Hey Guy's,      Thanks for all the Information and advice. From what you guy's have said I think it would be a good idea to take someone along with me that knows lathes like you guy's do.      Again, thanks for all your time, advice and information.                                                                                          Jammer:
Reply:Here's some good reading on the Atlas lathe...Bobhttp://www.lathes.co.uk/atlas/index.htmlBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
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Reply:I've got an Atlas 6" lathe.  I bought it sight unseen because my brother-in-law looked it over and thought it was a good deal at $400.  It really wasn't a very good deal.  Had pieces missing, etc.  The 6" lathe doesn't have the quick-change gears for threading.  You have to get the extra gears and change them out whenever you want to perform threading operations.  Old 'lantern' style tool rest rather than the newer turret tool rests.  The Atlas 10" lathes were significantly better.  I would much rather have an import with newer features than an old 6" Atlas that you have to scounge parts for at Ebay.  That said, want to buy mine????America Needs AMERICA'S Oil!!!"Global warming is the greatest scam in history ...There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril."--John Coleman, Founder of The Weather Channel
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Reply:Buying one with a good assortment of tooling is what was recommended to me recently when I went through the same process. (You might want to check the Home shop Machinist site). The biggest thing that makes a lathe a buy or a pass is the conditions of the ways. If they are worn, there will be a lack of precision and regrinding them is not cost effective.. I am in the process of refinishing a locally made Standard modern 11 inch. Working on a lathe is a pleasure if you like machines.Bob.Miller Dynasty 200 DXMillermatic 211Hypertherm PM 600In Tool acquisition Mode
Reply:I have been a machinist for years.  The reason that I weld is cause it is real closely related to machining.  In a lot of shops that I have worked in I was both.  That being said I would like to say that a lathe any smaller than 13" or 14" is really a toy.  the only thing that a small lathe, like what you are describing is good for is small hobby shop like work.  If you try to chuck up anything that is of decent size, you will soon realize that your machine is too small for the job.  We work on tractors and the gates of hell and junk like that, not guns & pocket watches or other similar toys like that!  Shure it will cost you more, but it will be worth it in the long run.  Also if you are considering a milling machine, don't look at anything smaller than a Bridgeport!  Right now on E-Bay and other similar places, including machine tool dealers, machinery is selling for the cheapist that I have ever seen it.  You can get something like a 16" lathe for what you can get 12" for now.  The bad economy and the fact that the computer machines are making the manual machines obsolete.As a matter-of-fact I have been lookin and lusting at a 9" column 4ft arm radial drill on E-Bay for $2,500 that they claim is in good condition. Now that is a cheap price, even after fixing what is wrong with it. I wished that prices were this cheap when I bought my other machinery.Thats my story, and i'me sticking to it.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.  Your friend, Doggie  One rule of thumb to remember about machine tools is "It's a lot easier to make a big machine small than than to make a small machine big".Last edited by Doggie; 10-20-2009 at 03:04 AM.Reason: Cause I could
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