Smart & Brown Model A MK1

I think this might be a better place to post about this lathe. I posted over in a different thread but only got 1 reply showing me the lathes.co.uk page on them.

For some time now I have been super interested in high quality tool room lathes.(Monarch 10ee, HLV-H, Schaublin, ect) I really have no need for one but REALLY want one and have been keeping an eye out for one. I recently have come across a Smart & Brown model A MK1. It appears to be a super well built machine and is a great size for my tiny shop. I really like the mini Rivett 1020s look it has going on. It also seems to come with a lot of features and the necessary tooling. The guy is asking $2,400 but I think I will try and ask a bit less. Seems hard to beat when people are buying little South Bend lathes with similar tooling for the same price.


From what I can tell, Smart and Brown makes some super high quality lathes but I can't seem to find much information at all on the Model A MK1 or MK2. I was wondering if there were any people out there who own on of these lathes and can give some information on quality and how these compare to other tool room lathes like the ones mentioned above. I am also wondering what to look for in the machine and what the differences are between the MK1 and MK2.

Thank you all so much!


PPICTUES OF THE LATHE- https://imgur.com/a/j6tAnfL?fbclid=IwAR2OaDYFyC4LYgcCPMa6tc47jVAmQJ0RGg3Fwi9z_87_HFEYm8Aq4aReNAc

Nice looking lathe.
Certainly worth the asking price. It has all the needed accessories plus a taper attachment .

These are very fine lathes!
I have a S&B 1024 ( bigger brother) it is every bit as good as a Monarch or a Hendey.

Pete

shapeaholic said:

Nice looking lathe.
Certainly worth the asking price. It has all the needed accessories plus a taper attachment .

These are very fine lathes!
I have a S&B 1024 ( bigger brother) it is every bit as good as a Monarch or a Hendey.

Pete

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Thanks so much for the reply Pete. I really want to get it but just needed someone who has used one to tell me it was a nice lathe haha. Its hard to beat the price when I could sell one of my small Logan for Craftsman lathes for around the same price!

Nice looking machine and well equipped, just make sure the back gears haven't been crashed or ''ground in'' before the spindles stopped ( a common fault on some S&Bs) IIRC (but it's been a long time ??? ) the back gears are underneath the red/ orange cover to the right of the belt sheaves.

Another fault with Mod' A's is the top slide (compound) where it seats on to the cross slide, .......if it's been over tightened or with debris inbetween the faces the base flange of the top slide can bend and not seat properly.

Limy Sami said:

Nice looking machine and well equipped, just make sure the back gears haven't been crashed or ''ground in'' before the spindles stopped ( a common fault on some S&Bs) IIRC (but it's been a long time ??? ) the back gears are underneath the red/ orange cover to the right of the belt sheaves.

Another fault with Mod' A's is the top slide (compound) where it seats on to the cross slide, .......if it's been over tightened or with debris inbetween the faces the base flange of the top slide can bend and not seat properly.

Click to expand...

Thank you SO much for the information. It doesn't seem like to many people in the US have these machines so there is not much information on them. I'll probably give the guy a call here soon and see if we can work a deal out!