Finally - A lathe

[JBFab]

I finally own a lathe. Some will insist it's not a lathe and only a toy, but compared to what I have now - it's a lathe. It's a craftsman rebranded Atlas 618. Got it on an auction yesterday, probably paid too much, but I guess I don't care.

It does have an additional motor attached to the back of the cross slide that I have never seen before. Searches haven't turned up any results although I'm probably not using the right search terms. At first I thought it was a tool post grinder, but it doesn't seem to be configured correctly for that. Any of you have any ideas??

[digger doug]

See allot of copper dust around it ?
Attachment is a commutator undercutter attachment.
Used tiny little slitting saws approx 1" dia.

[JBFab]

Originally Posted by digger doug

See allot of copper dust around it ?
Attachment is a commutator undercutter attachment.
Used tiny little slitting saws approx 1" dia.

I haven't laid my eyes on it yet, these are all from the auction site. That makes sense, there are a couple of slitting saws in the "stuff" that comes with it.

The guy was a blacksmith for 70 years so it's unlikely he used it.

[digger doug]

Those saws are way, way too big.

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by JBFab

I finally own a lathe. Some will insist it's not a lathe and only a toy, but compared to what I have now - it's a lathe. It's a craftsman rebranded Atlas 618. Got it on an auction yesterday, probably paid too much, but I guess I don't care.
I

That Craftsman/Atlas was my first lathe and I paid $100 for it back then.
I think it will open up your world. Enjoy it.

[mccutter]

What Doug said--an armature cutter. I got one with a similar lathe and sold it off as I didn't need it but somebody did...

[JBFab]

I wonder if the armature cutter could be used for cutting small keyways?

For anyone interested, here's a link to all the pictures of what all comes with it:

https://bennettauctionservice.proxib...ation/69163805

In would gladly take input on what all the little bits and baubles are there - I'm no machinist.

[greywynd]

They’re not a bad little lathe, to keep costs down they used a lot of zinc (pot metal) for parts. Parts are generally available, though it may be through places like ebay etc from folks parting them out.

A little on the light side, so keep tools sharp and cuts light and they work well.


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[digger doug]

Originally Posted by JBFab

I wonder if the armature cutter could be used for cutting small keyways?

I would say no on cutting keyways.
In regular operation, your cutting the mica insulation from between the copper segments, and you doo cut a wee bit of the copper.
As that motor is direct drive, cutting keyways in steel (if it did have the power & rigidity, which it does not by any means) is too fast for steel.

[JBFab]

Originally Posted by digger doug

I would say no on cutting keyways.
In regular operation, your cutting the mica insulation from between the copper segments, and you doo cut a wee bit of the copper.
As that motor is direct drive, cutting keyways in steel (if it did have the power & rigidity, which it does not by any means) is too fast for steel.

Got it, that makes sense. Thank you.