Atlas/Craftsman Serial Numbers and Bearing Dates (if applicable) For Database Entries

[wa5cab]

OK. Sorry that I got confused. I rather doubt that we shall ever know what the "177" means. It could have even been an ID number of the machinist who did the bed grinding. However, finding what is probably the serial number does reinforce our long time assumption that in the 1930's at least, Atlas stamped the serial number of any model lathe on the top of the right end of the front way.

 

[robert574]

Mine is a 6" Craftsman 101.07300. I have the 177 stamped on the right front of the bed just below the front way between the end of the rack and end of the bed. My serial no. is L1782 stamped on the top right end of the front way and the bed is 30". My serial number tag (think that you must mean model number tag) looks identical to the one Awround has.

 

[Oldmanoffgrid]

Edited with title change 20200627

In the combined machine database (742 entries to date) there are 180 10" entries, 21 of which show no serial numbers. There are 113 Craftsman entries, 19 or which show no serial numbers. Plus we only have 30 10" and 22 12" bearing dates for Timken equipped 10" or 12".

Anyway, anyone with any Atlas built machine (not just lathes) who doesn't remember for sure entering your machine into the old Yahoo database or giving it to me recently, please send me the model number; bed length, serial number (including any prefix or suffix letters), type (10F, 10D, etc.), and if it has Timken bearings, the bearing dates if you know them. If no bearing dates are available, then anything that would give the original purchase date (no guesses, please). Also any comments you wish to make about condition, accessories, when and where purchased, price, etc.
If your machine is a MK2 6", there is a somewhat more detailed questionnaire also in this sticky area. If you've responded to that questionnaire, no response is needed here.

Thanks, Robert D.

Robert, I picked up a couple of machines lately and I thought they are in the registry. The first is a small 6" machine. I have no idea when it was built but I know it has sleeve bearings. I would like some help dating it. I paid $230.00 for it with a milling attachment. The total bed length is close to 30". I have the countershaft assembly off replacing bushings.

 

[Oldmanoffgrid]

The second machine is a 12" with QCGB.

 

[wa5cab]

Oldmanoffgrid,

Clicking on your User ID on the main toolbar takes you to your Account info. There you can, among other things, set up a Signature and what I call a brag sheet.

The 101.07301 was made from 1939 until mid-1957. I would estimate yours was made in 1945. It is about 2/3 the same as the Atlas 618. Differences are mainly the headstock casting and bushings, the spindle and thrust bearing, the countershaft (after 1939) and the right bed leg. Unless I am forgetting something, the rest was the same. It is a 6x18 but it is incorrect to refer to it as a Craftsman 618. It is a 101.07301.

Not counting the two gears on the Tumbler and the 16T/32T Compound Stud Gear, you should have a total of 15 Change Gears.

The machine was not in the Database so I added it. I will update the copy in DOWNLOADS as well as the copy that I have been keeping in this Forum only in the next few days.

 

[Oldmanoffgrid]

Thank you for all the information. This is a great site!

 

[wa5cab]

You're welcome. The 101.28910 is probably the second best of all of the 12" lathes that Atlas made. The only one better was the 3996 or 101.28990 cabinet model. The 101.28910 is the same except for badge and nameplate as the Atlas 3986. They were made from 1967 until maybe the Summer of 1974. About 1975, Sears added the Craftsman Commercial badge to the headstocks. Whether any of those badges actually got installed on any 101.28910's or not I don't know. But in recent years it has become fairly common to refer to all of the 1/2" bed machines as "the Commercials". AFAIK, Atlas or Clausing didn't actually use the term. And Sears only used it on the two late cabinet models. But if you see someone use the term, they could be referring to anything made after 1957.

I would guess that your 12" was made in 1973. We don't have any good way to date the late 12" as Atlas or Timken ceased to engrave the inspection dates on the spindle bearings in 1952 or early 1953.

 

[Oldmanoffgrid]

You're welcome. The 101.28910 is probably the second best of all of the 12" lathes that Atlas made. The only one better was the 3996 or 101.28990 cabinet model. The 101.28910 is the same except for badge and nameplate as the Atlas 3986. They were made from 1967 until maybe the Summer of 1974. About 1975, Sears added the Craftsman Commercial badge to the headstocks. Whether any of those badges actually got installed on any 101.28910's or not I don't know. But in recent years it has become fairly common to refer to all of the 1/2" bed machines as "the Commercials". AFAIK, Atlas or Clausing didn't actually use the term. And Sears only used it on the two late cabinet models. But if you see someone use the term, they could be referring to anything made after 1957.

I would guess that your 12" was made in 1973. We don't have any good way to date the late 12" as Atlas or Timken ceased to engrave the inspection dates on the spindle bearings in 1952 or early 1953.

Thanks again, I bought a 101.28990 cabinet model new in the early 70's. I later sold it to a friend who still has it and uses it regularly. I had sellers regret after selling it, that's why I picked these two machines up when I had the chance.
L. Moore

 

[Plasanator]

Hi everyone, I have a sears Roebuck and co bed 42 inch that I have loaded with atlas 10f head and tail and saddle etc.
I modified the bed for a reverse box by drilling and tapping mounting holes.
I hope this helps with your numbers.

 

[wa5cab]

That was a nice save, converting a 12x24 bed into what would be called a 10x24 and probably a TH42, assuming that the headstock has the much more common Timken bearings and that the countershaft assembly is the more common Horizontal one.

However, you haven't given the serial number of the original 101.27430. The original S/N obviously isn't on the nameplate where I would have expected it and obviously wasn't on a separate plate mounted above or below the nameplate. I also can't tell whether the nameplate is on the rear of the bed or on the right end where I would have expected it after about 1942. So do you know what the original serial number was? The only place that I know to look for it would be stamped into the top of the right end of the front way. Or on a separate plate originally mounted either on the rear or the right end of the bed.

FYI, there are only two differences between the carriages that were on the 101.27430 and the TH42. The compound slides are different and the one on the 12" Craftsman would have had the interlock installed that prevents you from engaging longitudinal and cross feeds at the same time. Otherwise, they are the same.