86turbodsl
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2004
- Location
- MI, USA
Long time mostly-lurker here, on the VFD forum. I've owned a bridgeport for a few years as my first mill, but have never been able to find the right lathe, and as a result mostly worked on the side on the lathe at work, a 14x48 Clausing-Colchester. A nice lathe, all things considered, but was a hassle to make a part, then bring it home and check fits, then tune it up at work the next day. Makes projects slow.
So i knew i wanted a lathe for home use, just wanted to hold out for the right one. I wanted to be able to make automotive or tractor flywheels as a largest swing. I've looked at a few large no-names, a Hendey, Monarch, and a few others in the early American lathe era. Nothing was "right". I knew i wanted something fairly rigid, nothing in the South Bend class. I also didn't have mega bucks to spend on it, since i'm not primarily earning a living with it at this point anyway, so i knew it would need some refurb. I'm not scared of large projects.
This little unit turned up on local for sale ads, about 100 miles away. I went and looked at it and the guy wanted to move it pretty bad. He's cleaning out a warehouse and it has to be gone within 2 weeks. I checked the headstock, it shifts gears nicely, and you can tell it's smooth. All the controls work, and it includes the taper attachment, 3 and 4 jaw chuck and it's mostly all intact.
The downside however, was it had sat outside for a couple of years. There's rust on the ways, but a copper brillo pad took that off without a lot of scrubbing near the headstock. Cleaned off the serial and it's a war baby! 1943.
There is some damage to the right chip pan, and the center chip pan is missing. Based on the fact the engage rod is bent upwards, i'd guess some idiot tried to lift it under the center chip pan. I'll be locating or fabbing one up instead.
The apron does not move, but the controls are free, i can feel the free play in all the controls. I think the apron is "glued by rust" to the ways. What i'm hoping anyway. The tail stock is also frozen. I'm hoping careful soaking and cleaning will unfreeze everything.
I could tell he wanted to move it out. I told him it was about 5500 lbs, and at 80 a ton, he could get ~300ish in scrap value. He said he had an offer of 400 already, i offered 450 and he took it.
So i own an American Tool Works Pacemaker 16x30 war baby for $450.
I'm so excited to finally get one of the best of the American lathes as my first lathe i can barely stand it! No offense to any other brands. I looked at a Monarch 10EE as well, but the DC drive is a little scary.
Next weekend is pickup day, i borrowed an equipment trailer from a buddy and will drive down and get it. The guy has lined up a large forklift and i will buy a couple of lift straps for the lift.
I'm stoked!
Pics for your perusal.
So i knew i wanted a lathe for home use, just wanted to hold out for the right one. I wanted to be able to make automotive or tractor flywheels as a largest swing. I've looked at a few large no-names, a Hendey, Monarch, and a few others in the early American lathe era. Nothing was "right". I knew i wanted something fairly rigid, nothing in the South Bend class. I also didn't have mega bucks to spend on it, since i'm not primarily earning a living with it at this point anyway, so i knew it would need some refurb. I'm not scared of large projects.
This little unit turned up on local for sale ads, about 100 miles away. I went and looked at it and the guy wanted to move it pretty bad. He's cleaning out a warehouse and it has to be gone within 2 weeks. I checked the headstock, it shifts gears nicely, and you can tell it's smooth. All the controls work, and it includes the taper attachment, 3 and 4 jaw chuck and it's mostly all intact.
The downside however, was it had sat outside for a couple of years. There's rust on the ways, but a copper brillo pad took that off without a lot of scrubbing near the headstock. Cleaned off the serial and it's a war baby! 1943.
There is some damage to the right chip pan, and the center chip pan is missing. Based on the fact the engage rod is bent upwards, i'd guess some idiot tried to lift it under the center chip pan. I'll be locating or fabbing one up instead.
The apron does not move, but the controls are free, i can feel the free play in all the controls. I think the apron is "glued by rust" to the ways. What i'm hoping anyway. The tail stock is also frozen. I'm hoping careful soaking and cleaning will unfreeze everything.
I could tell he wanted to move it out. I told him it was about 5500 lbs, and at 80 a ton, he could get ~300ish in scrap value. He said he had an offer of 400 already, i offered 450 and he took it.
So i own an American Tool Works Pacemaker 16x30 war baby for $450.
I'm so excited to finally get one of the best of the American lathes as my first lathe i can barely stand it! No offense to any other brands. I looked at a Monarch 10EE as well, but the DC drive is a little scary.
Next weekend is pickup day, i borrowed an equipment trailer from a buddy and will drive down and get it. The guy has lined up a large forklift and i will buy a couple of lift straps for the lift.
I'm stoked!
Pics for your perusal.