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Cincinnati lathes

dxhall

Aluminum
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Location
Wheat Ridge, CO
A machine tool dealer in MI has been listing a Cincinnati 13 x 24 lathe on ebay for a while. Any opinions on whether this machine is worth having? It's got .130 backlash in the compound (!) and .050 in the crossfeed, and I can't find anyone who sells parts. Dennis
 
Unless things have changed at Cincinnati, ~very~ deep pockets. One handwheel might cost more than the whole lathe is worth.
 
I've got a 19x30 Cincinnati tray top that seems to run and function fine, and appears to have little wear. I've had it for several years, but have never used it on the first part. I'm just curious as to whether they're a decent lathe. I've got nothing invested in it, so you ain't gonna hurt my feelings if you say what I paid is what they're worth. I've just had no occasion to use it and don't know anyone else who has one.
 
Cincinnati was my home town and I've been trying to get a feeling for the history and quality of the various lathe companies that used to build machines there or close by- Monarch, Lodge & Shipley, LeBlond, American Pacemaker, Cincinnati and others. Some day I'd like to own a machine from each of them (yeah, dream on, maybe I'll hit the lottery).

As far as I can tell the Cincinnati machines are considered to be good but not great. The company that built the lathes was originally independent of Cincinnati Milacron but was acquired by them in the 60's, supposedly just to get access to their buildings. However, demand for the lathes increased when they were associated with Milacron and they kept the company going for a while. From the prices that I've heard quoted, Cincinnati Machine (or whatever they're called now, it used to be Cincinnati Milacron) will build you new parts from their drawings but charge you through the nose for it, you're probably better off taking the old one to a local machinist and having him make it or make it yourself.

If the machine is otherwise in good shape it still may be worth getting, its definitely not a piece of junk.

Good luck-

Paul T.
 








 
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