New toy

[MarkBall2]

As I sit here in the nice air conditioned house, my thoughts return to about 3 hours ago sweating & working hard to lift a new toy into my truck. Had to use an engine lift (cherry picker) to lift it up in there. Lucky for me a previous bidder had already unbolted it from the stand.

So me & the old lady's grand daughter worked to lift it into the truck. Next came the stand, both fit alongside the wheelwells & we then had to lift the cherry picker back into the pickup.

We were working on the west side of the house, no wind, temp over 105F & unfortunately the humidity had just risen to over 50%, as we are due for a cold front to come in. We worked up quite a sweat, working that hard in the sun, stopping often after one piece was moved, drinking so much water I feel bloated.

What was it that was so important? Why a new metal turning lathe. A Craftsman 12x36 lathe complete with stand. It belonged to the grandfather & he passed several years ago. It's been sitting on the back porch since then gathering dust & surface rust.

The story goes grandma had a person come out & paid $200.00 for it, unbolted it from the factory stand & his helper wouldn't help him move into the truck. After a few months, grandma tried contacting him again, no luck. After 2 years, she went to the local PD for advise, had sent letters, both regular & registered, all were returned. Phone was never answered, so when she explained to the PD, they said, "do what you want with it".

My lucky day, cruising SearchTempest (craigslist for a 250 mile radius) I spotted the ad. Best part of all, it was free.

Now looking at it, there is no damage to the ways, just surface rust & dirt. The handles turn hard, but I figure they need cleaned. Spindle turns, but hard to turn, again dirt, lack of lube, but no grinding felt.

Model number is 101.28970. It has a reversing switch with it, the back gears, two belts, chip tray & factory stand with the motor underneath the lathe in a cabinet. Have no idea if it runs, but it will. No pictures yet, have to get some help to get it out of the truck with the lift. I have a friend coming over to help tomorrow. Once it's out, I'll shoot some pictures of it & post them tomorrow.

I thanked the ladies & didn't tear up the yard too badly getting the truck backed up to the porch. They didn't have any tooling, but there is a lantern post & 3 jaw chuck attached. Haven't measured, but I think it's either a 4" or 5".

Thanks for listening, gotta get some more water to drink, I quit sweating (in an A/C house).

[bd354]

What a find! Sometimes it's all about right place right time. Maybe an award would be in order??? After pics of course.

[Ironman]

Mark, thats awesome. That is a great little lathe. I had one like Cutter's, my first lathe, and I liked it so I hunted down a 12x36 like yours. Had to replace the lead screw, but it had a QC box, and that was important to me.:

I think you suck, even without pics.

[OLD MAN]

I am with Gerry but Cutter has rules.

[cutter]

Good for you, Mark!

[matthew_g]

Pic's or no pic's
YOU SUCK !!!!!

[getatorch]

Nice find! Pics are past due.

[moe1942]

That's an Atlas.

[MarkBall2]

Ok, got it out of the truck & in the garage. This may take two posts to get all the pictures in it.

Not much to see, it's dirty & no tooling with it, but it's mine. Total cost = $27.50 for a cherry picker rental, half a tank of fuel. That's it, the lathe was free.

Enjoy

[MarkBall2]

Next set of pictures. It has a 5" three jaw chuck, no key, a cross slide that is gummed up. Mostly it's old grease/oil & dirt. A quick spray of engine degreaser helped loosen things, but will take a bit more before it's ready to rock n roll.

The chuck spins free in neutral, no rough bearings or anything. Once in gear, it doesn't move by hand, I may have something binding or just not enough power in my hands. All the felts are intact in the oilers, the chuck comes free with a bar between the jaws, all the gears mesh & turn & the cross slide moves slowly after a bit of degreaser.



Now I need a manual before too much tear down & a chuck key. I'll start looking for a quick change tool post, a drill chuck and some other accessories. Although if anyone is feeling particularly giving, I'm open to suggestions. I did stop by Harbor Freight & picked up the 5/16" carbide tool bits this morning & a new belt.

Model number is Craftsman 101.28970, serial number of 004893. This is the commercial model with the motor inside the lower cabinet.