I found a lathe on Craigslist for $300. Here is the image they put on the ad. The only description is "giant 10 foot lathe that works great". I know this is probably a dumb question, but would a large lathe like this work for smaller and more precise project as well as larger ones? Is there any other possible issues with this machine? Thanks.
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Should I Buy This Lathe?
- Thread starter nmk456
- Start date
- Replies 15
- Views 2,446
RC Mech
Stainless
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2014
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Small work being what diameter? That machine would not be a good candidate for small work (anything less than 1"). It's got flat belts- and not the rev range to even turn small parts at an appropriate speed.
There are many possible issues with that lathe...
There are many possible issues with that lathe...
kgize
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2009
- Location
- Austin Texas USA
In these parts that is bargain. Looks to be a South Bend maybe 16 inch with long bed...chuck is worth half the price or more..
I have same lathe but later model, and I do lots of work less than an inch in size. That lathe looks to have been used for wood turning by the debris around it...I use mine for that too - people say mines far too slow for wood turning - I guess I didn't know as I turn lots of beautiful metal and wood on mine...
My max speed is 1100 rpm on mine...that one in pic is likely similar when stock - no idea of its speed range as set up in pic as it has auto transmission being used to drive it..
I have same lathe but later model, and I do lots of work less than an inch in size. That lathe looks to have been used for wood turning by the debris around it...I use mine for that too - people say mines far too slow for wood turning - I guess I didn't know as I turn lots of beautiful metal and wood on mine...
My max speed is 1100 rpm on mine...that one in pic is likely similar when stock - no idea of its speed range as set up in pic as it has auto transmission being used to drive it..
rusty old tools
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2010
- Location
- Pomona CA USA
I’d say it’s not a bad buy at that price if the ways are in decent shape, looks like it might have a drive-all gearbox which can be a nice feature. I don’t think it’s a south bend, someone in the antique forum can probably ID it. As to small work it depends on what you define as small, wouldn’t want to go under an inch or so with that machine, max speed is going to be in the area of 500rpm on it, best to have a small bench lathe and a big lathe for larger stuff in my opinion.
Hodge
Stainless
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2008
- Location
- spartanburg sc
If I needed a lathe and didn't have one (and was low on cash)I would buy it. Cheap enough to gamble on provided you got room and power to support it.
I would recommend taking a knowledgeable friend to avoid any real pitfalls.
I would recommend taking a knowledgeable friend to avoid any real pitfalls.
Smoothbore
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2011
- Location
- PA, USA
The price is a "no brainer".
The question you SHOULD be asking, WHY is it so cheap ?
If I were to guess, I'd be inclined to think it's because of the 70+ square feet of floor space it requires.
Do you have that much space, that you're willing to commit to this machine ?
Only YOU can answer that.
ANY old flat belt drive lathe is likely to have "issues".
So what ?
.
Joe in NH
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2007
- Location
- Stratham, Cow Hampshire
Lathes, like real estate value, is determined by location, location, location.
Lathe is probably in a basement and requires disassembly, and hoisting up a flight of bulkhead stairs.
Like the Putnam down in Eastern Connecticut which started out as "historical - $750" and ended up as legs resold by another at $300 and "Lathe Parts - $75" by the original seller.
I bet the thousand pound bed is still down those flight of bulkhead stairs.
Joe in NH
Lathe is probably in a basement and requires disassembly, and hoisting up a flight of bulkhead stairs.
Like the Putnam down in Eastern Connecticut which started out as "historical - $750" and ended up as legs resold by another at $300 and "Lathe Parts - $75" by the original seller.
I bet the thousand pound bed is still down those flight of bulkhead stairs.
Joe in NH
44dwarf
Aluminum
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2009
- Location
- north central Ma.
I'd say yes but....
Do you have a ramp truck to move it?
How close is it to you?
It's winter it the sellers location plowed?
My last bargin lathe was just 8 miles from home and by the time i plowed her driveway 3 times and highered two difrent tow companys to move it it cost me over $600 to move a $300 lathe...
Do you have a ramp truck to move it?
How close is it to you?
It's winter it the sellers location plowed?
My last bargin lathe was just 8 miles from home and by the time i plowed her driveway 3 times and highered two difrent tow companys to move it it cost me over $600 to move a $300 lathe...
rj1939
Stainless
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2008
- Location
- southern il
Price isn't bad. Too many times they are ridiculous.
The old timers that taught tool & die where I went, said that anybody can run a new lathe, but it takes a machinist to make precision parts on an old lathe.
The old timers that taught tool & die where I went, said that anybody can run a new lathe, but it takes a machinist to make precision parts on an old lathe.
k3vyl
Stainless
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2008
- Location
- newark DE USA
You can make small parts on a big lathe,but you can’t make big parts on a small lathe. Sharp tools and careful work will let you turn small parts on a big machine. Tedious but doable.
A small machine just doesn’t have what it takes to turn large material.
A small machine just doesn’t have what it takes to turn large material.
marka12161
Stainless
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2016
- Location
- Oswego, NY USA
For what it's worth, i bought a 14" swing hendey flat belt lathe with an 8 ft bed last year. this machine is 10 ft long overall. I have yet to run it but it came with a set of collets the smallest of which will hold 1/8" diameter.
99Panhard
Stainless
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2006
- Location
- Smithfield, Rhode Island
For whatever it's worth, I second this thought. I make small parts quite often... well, down to probably 1/4" in diameter. My collet set goes down to 1/8 but I've never needed a collet that small. After all, it isn't as if it was impossible to do small work until now... they did plenty of it on "slow" machines. It's just a different learning curve to master the techniques.
That said, if that is what you are thinking of doing, collets are probably a necessity so if the machine does not already have them some research may be in order. I have a Hardinge set that came with my machine and a 5C set I adapted to it because they are so readily available, cheap and there are all sorts of specialty collets that are readily available.
Joe in NH
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2007
- Location
- Stratham, Cow Hampshire
Shorter Reed-Prentice (similar timeframe manufacture) available on Craigslist list at $500 reed prentice lathe - tools - by owner - sale
Not much tooling nor drive, but from the pix he's already taken step to make a matching wooden cone pulley - your first natural step in making a drive.
And - he says he wants it out of the garage - a sure sign of willing to dicker.
There are others - a Fay-Scott for $500.
Ect. ect.
Joe in NH
Not much tooling nor drive, but from the pix he's already taken step to make a matching wooden cone pulley - your first natural step in making a drive.
And - he says he wants it out of the garage - a sure sign of willing to dicker.
There are others - a Fay-Scott for $500.
Ect. ect.
Joe in NH
Lanso
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2013
- Location
- Cerritos, CA
“it takes a machinist to make precision parts on an old lathe” - That’s so true!
johnoder
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2004
- Location
- Houston, TX USA
In no way a SB, and top end is very likely to be less than 400.
Since it is plainly more heavy duty than SB it will naturally run slower
Thumbnail from 1911 shows a 350 top end on a 16" LeBlond Standard, not Heavy Duty.
350 would be not quite 92 surface feet per minute on a 1" dia - ideal for razor sharp HSS - on soft steel
