A neighbor recently died and left a widow and machine shop. Most of the machinery has been sold off, but she still has a lathe that is sitting there...and she needs it gone because she needs to sell the property. Im considering offering say 500 bucks for it which would help her get it out of there...but am i just buying something impractical that i wouldnt use? That's where i need your advice.
I am retired and do lots of welding and sheet metal fab in my work restoring old cars etc. But have NO experience with a metal lathe. Id love to have one and begin to learn, but cant afford a newer machine. Would this 500 lathe afford me that beginning?
It is a Foster #3 made by Foster Machine co in Elkhart, Indiana.
The only thing the widow knows is that is a low-speed high-precision unit and that it was her husband's pride and joy and worth a lot.
I found a little bit of information about it online and its about 6' long and 600 lbs. There's a motor and some gearing on the tailstock end as well.
I know you folks get lots of these types of questions...i appreciate you taking the time to give me advice that will help me make a decision about this.I
Id attach some pictures but i dont see how to do that here?
Martin
I am retired and do lots of welding and sheet metal fab in my work restoring old cars etc. But have NO experience with a metal lathe. Id love to have one and begin to learn, but cant afford a newer machine. Would this 500 lathe afford me that beginning?
It is a Foster #3 made by Foster Machine co in Elkhart, Indiana.
The only thing the widow knows is that is a low-speed high-precision unit and that it was her husband's pride and joy and worth a lot.
I found a little bit of information about it online and its about 6' long and 600 lbs. There's a motor and some gearing on the tailstock end as well.
I know you folks get lots of these types of questions...i appreciate you taking the time to give me advice that will help me make a decision about this.I
Id attach some pictures but i dont see how to do that here?
Martin