9 inch Atlas/Craftsman Lathe : Another re-assembly attempt

Paul,

Your machine is a Sears version. You can tell by the shape of the legs. We don't know what the model number is, only the catalog number, which is not tied to the model number as it became after WW-II. The serial number should be stamped into the top of the front way at the right end. If yours has the nameplate (none have so far), that would supply the Model Number.

And when I wrote "both or your serial numbers", I meant your 9" serial number and Ernst's. I didn't know that you had a Van Norman, and I don't know of anyone doing a serial number database on the VN.

Ernst.

The first catalog I have that your exact machine appears in is No. 26 from, we think, late 1936 or early 1937. The first one that the 9" compound drive lathe appears in that I have is No. 5 possibly dated 1933. It is mostly the same lathe but has smaller feet (but not the same ones used on the Sears machines), a knob instead of a crank on the compound feed screw, and the ON-OFF switch is in a cast switch box (commercial) mounted to the front of the headstock. I Cat. No. 5, there is no model number shown, just the four bed lengths. In Catalog No. 8, possibly 1934, the model numbers 936, 942, 948 and 954 appear but no apparent changes to the lathe. In Catalog No. 15 (1935?), the feet change to the same as yours but the swwich box and knob are still present, and the four model numbers. In Catalog No. 26, the photo looks exactly like your machine. The 918 Utility Bench Lathe appears, with a 3-speed countershaft and without the compound drive. And only the 936 model number is shown (no 942, 948 or 954).
 
paul,
today the postman brought me the catalog no 25. it says 1936. my 936 is documented just like it stands on my workbench. so this seems to be the earliest catalog that shows it in this version.
i bought the catalog on ebay. i dont think i would violate any copy right laws when i would pdf it and publish it. b u t..... i dont know how. i have a scanner and i did some pdf before. but only single ones. dont know how to put all 50 sides plus title and backpage in one pdf. maybe i should go to a professional shop to do that. or can you help me with that. would like to see this catalog published here, on the atlas yahoo and also on vintage machinery. those sides were helpful in the past and i found a lot of support and help there. more than happy to pay back.
the title of the catalog was made by a famous artist: Arthur C. Radebaugh
more about him:
http://cartype.com/pages/2913/radebaugh
https://www.google.com/search?q=Art...bih=1016#tbm=isch&q=Arthur+C.+Radebaugh+atlas
here is the tittle:
$_57-2.JPG



ernst
 
Ernst,

OK. Turns out that I also have Catalog No. 25. There are only very minor differences between it and 26. The front covers are the same except for the catalog number. The backs of the covers are the same except that at the bottom of the page in 25 is printed 1936 and in 26 is printed 1937. 25 shows prices for almost everything. In 26, all prices are removed. And finally, on page 14 they both show The New Atlas Manual of Lathe Operations. No. 26 shows the wire bound version (it has blue covers but that doesn't show up in the catalog) that I and several others have thought was the first edition. No. 25 shows a book that probably has the same contents but it is Exact bound (glue and staples). When I finally found and acquired the blue cover wire bound edition, I thought that I was finally through. But A-Grailing we go again.

If you want to try to scan No. 25, have at it. Minimum acceptable resolution will be 300 dpi. 400 will look much better. And 600 not much better than 400. It would probably look best done in colour but the file size would probably be far too large. Try it at 400 dpi gray scale. That's based on 40 years experience, 16 of it since decent scanners became affordable when their prices dropped below $25.000. The best way to trade off quality against file size would be to scan it once gray scale and once monochrome (B&W). The after straightening and cleaning, copy and paste all of the actual photos from the gray scale version into the B&W version, Usually saves about 50% on file size. However, you can't do that as a PDF. You'll have to do it as a TIFF and when finished convert it to a PDF.

FWIW, I manage the Downloads here, and also the Files, Photos and Databases on the Yahoo main Atlas Group.
 
I just want to say what a couple beautiful examples of old, American-made iron and steel. Makes me want to restore mine now. I plan to someday. But, makes me want to now. Kudos to you both.
 
Paul,

Thanks. Did it have any badges or nameplates on it when you got it?
 
I've got one of these that I bought as a parts lathe for my 10F, not knowing that very few of the parts interchange. It's missing most of the good stuff (handles, knobs, forward/reverse box) but if there's something you need, shoot me a PM and I'll see if I have it. Mine is the stripped down "utility" version.
 
I've got one of these that I bought as a parts lathe for my 10F, not knowing that very few of the parts interchange. It's missing most of the good stuff (handles, knobs, forward/reverse box) but if there's something you need, shoot me a PM and I'll see if I have it. Mine is the stripped down "utility" version.
Thanks Vince
 
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