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Considering Selling My Lathe Would Like Opinions Please.
- Thread starter Strtspdlx
- Start date
Was the 12" craftsmen model lathe available with Babbitt bearings? The machine I'm
going to look at has a QCGB on it if that makes a difference. He's asking 700 with steady rest and what looks to be a beat 3 jaw chuck and another chuck that I haven't the first clue what it's for.
Regards-Carlo
going to look at has a QCGB on it if that makes a difference. He's asking 700 with steady rest and what looks to be a beat 3 jaw chuck and another chuck that I haven't the first clue what it's for.
Regards-Carlo
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- Joined
- Dec 25, 2011
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Yes. Eight of the twelve 12" pre-war model all had babbit bearings, 101.07360...07363 and 101.07380...07383. The four with Timken bearings were 101.07400...07403. The first two models with QCGB were 101.27430 & 27440. Both are the same as the 101.07403 except for the QCGB. The last babbit headstock model was the 101.07383 made circa 1945.
Note that the 101.21450 gear box can be retrofitted to all 12 of the pre-war change gear models. So check first for nameplate (model number). If the model number is 101.07403 (which would be a conversion), 27430 or 27440, and if the machine is overall in good condition including low wear, it is worth an easy $700 in most of the country. The steady rest itself is worth $100-$150. The chucks, it would depend upon details.
One other explanatory comment - Up through the 101.07403, the model numbers did not define the bed length or distance between centers. With the 101.07383 and 101.07403, there were four catalog numbers for each model that specified the bed length. The bed length of the other ten models isn't specified in either the model or the catalog number. So if someone says that they have a 101.07403, that only narrows it down to four possibilities. Beginning around 1948, Atlas dropped production of the 18" and 30" between centers models. From the introduction of the QCGB equipped 101.27430 (12x24) and 101.07440 (12x36) on through end of production in March, 1981, the model number defines everything about the machine.
Note that the 101.21450 gear box can be retrofitted to all 12 of the pre-war change gear models. So check first for nameplate (model number). If the model number is 101.07403 (which would be a conversion), 27430 or 27440, and if the machine is overall in good condition including low wear, it is worth an easy $700 in most of the country. The steady rest itself is worth $100-$150. The chucks, it would depend upon details.
One other explanatory comment - Up through the 101.07403, the model numbers did not define the bed length or distance between centers. With the 101.07383 and 101.07403, there were four catalog numbers for each model that specified the bed length. The bed length of the other ten models isn't specified in either the model or the catalog number. So if someone says that they have a 101.07403, that only narrows it down to four possibilities. Beginning around 1948, Atlas dropped production of the 18" and 30" between centers models. From the introduction of the QCGB equipped 101.27430 (12x24) and 101.07440 (12x36) on through end of production in March, 1981, the model number defines everything about the machine.
Well I looked at it. Headstock is Timken bearing but had more then .015 play in it. The ways where worn about .005 cross slide and compound had play but ways looked alright. It has a QCGB but everything in that was well worn as well as the gear train. The ways were gouged like they'd never been cleaned it had a steady rest and other tooling some drill chucks a two how three jaw four jaw and 3 jaw tool less chick but they all had play in them. Overall it seemed well worn. The bed is a 954 casting and I believe the model is 101.27440. He started out at 700 and came down to 550. I offered 400 as to bring this lathe back to a precision machine would take a ton of time and labor. And 400 was where I was comfortable only because of the QCGB and steady rest.
Regards-Carlo
Regards-Carlo
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- Joined
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Carlo,
As you didn't say that he did, I take it that he wouldn't take $400. Actually, $400 is about the going price for a QCGB by itself with all of the necessary parts to install it (which some sellers don't seem to know about). $150 is at perhaps the high end of the typical price for a steady rest. All lathe chucks have end play in the jaws (in the direction up or down the slots). The jaws shouldn't have much twist or rock (roll, pitch or yaw) though. Getting rid of the 15 thou spindle end float is trivial - just loosen the set screws in the collar on the left end of the spindle and tighten it per the Technical Bulletin. However, what I might be concerned about is that if the lathe has been operated much with 15 thou spindle end float, the bearings could be unevenly worn.
What I would do is to combine the better parts from the TH54 and the 101.27440 into one 12". However, you won't be able to sell the TH54. If that's important, keep looking. But the going price for one of the Commercials is probably over $1200, perhaps $1500 for a good condition 3996 or 101.28990, although you could get lucky.
As you didn't say that he did, I take it that he wouldn't take $400. Actually, $400 is about the going price for a QCGB by itself with all of the necessary parts to install it (which some sellers don't seem to know about). $150 is at perhaps the high end of the typical price for a steady rest. All lathe chucks have end play in the jaws (in the direction up or down the slots). The jaws shouldn't have much twist or rock (roll, pitch or yaw) though. Getting rid of the 15 thou spindle end float is trivial - just loosen the set screws in the collar on the left end of the spindle and tighten it per the Technical Bulletin. However, what I might be concerned about is that if the lathe has been operated much with 15 thou spindle end float, the bearings could be unevenly worn.
What I would do is to combine the better parts from the TH54 and the 101.27440 into one 12". However, you won't be able to sell the TH54. If that's important, keep looking. But the going price for one of the Commercials is probably over $1200, perhaps $1500 for a good condition 3996 or 101.28990, although you could get lucky.
My concern was also the spindle bearings all the Ducks had play in every way they shouldn't so I'd be left with my 4 jaw chick which would do fine for my needs. The wear in the gearbox and such has me worried as it was hard to engage some of the gears. All the gears looked good however in the gear box. It was the nuetral engage switch and associated gearing up to the box that was worn as well as bull gear and back gears. If the QCGB was able to put in my 10" I would've paid 550$ like he wanted. I'm just not very comfortable with the condition of the rest of the machine. My bed is in better condition so I'd probably use that. As far as wear goes it's better mine is more pitted in non essential areas where the 12" is cleaner minus the gouging. I may give him a ring and see if he'll take closer to 500$. My thing is I know what my machine is. I tried to look this one over the best I know how for the time I spent. Also it's in a basement with alit of twist and turns and tight areas. So getting it out would necessitate a full tear down to move it anyhow. I try not to be impulsive as usually that's how I get into trouble. And at the moment I'm more interested in buying a mill the. I am another lathe. If it was a commercial version I would've paid the asking price. However it isn't.
Regards-Carlo
Regards-Carlo
Also there's two bolts on the forward spindle bearing "cap" that I've never seen. The wine said he tightened them up and that seemed to take the play out of the spindle but from my understanding the only adjustment should be the collar at the rear of the shaft. It looked like it was a babbit bearing machine at first but it's definitely Timken bearings I'm curious if the bolts are something someone did along the line for whatever reason. They're two bolts running perpendicular to the bed on either side of the bearing on the forward cap closest to the chuck.
Regards-Carlo
Regards-Carlo
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