Headstock bearing and manufacture date?

[Waldo1]

Hey kids,

If I want to look for the date on my 10TH, I'm assuming that I'm going to pull the bearing dust caps? Is there an easiest/simplest way to approach this task?

Thanks,

Waldo1

 

[Mondo]

The date inscribed on the bearings is the date that they were inspected by Atlas QA staff. The date on the front bearing and the date on the back bearing may be very different. The lathe would have been built some time after the later of the two, perhaps days, weeks or even months. But that will give you a close approximation of the manufacture date.

To get at the bearings you will need to remove the dust covers. The procedure for removing them is part of the procedure for removing the spindle. Check the downloads area of this site, http://www.hobby-machinist.com/vbdownloads.php?categoryid=160 You are looking for this document: Atlas Tech Bulletin 10 & Early 12 Headstock Maintenance.pdf or if logged in click this link: http://www.hobby-machinist.com/vbdownloads.php?do=download&downloadid=1449

Enjoy!

 

[Waldo1]

Thanks 'Chips- I was pretty sure that there weren't any shortcuts aside from pulling the spindle. I'm not quite that bored yet. I'll wait until I do a major restore and get the info for the database then.

Take care,

Waldo1

 

[wa5cab]

Waldo,

If you will send me the model number and serial number of your machine, I can give you a date estimate. How accurate the estimate will be depends upon what the serial number is relative to the serial numbers that we have the bearing dates on. If you don't know the model number, say swing, bed length, horizontal or vertical countershaft, and whether or not it has a QCGB.

But Spiral_Chips is right. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to pulling the spindle if you want to see the bearing inspection dates..

The maximum reported spread between the dates on the front and rear bearing is currently about 11 months.

Robert D.

 

[Waldo1]

Thank you, Robert!


And here she is as she sits right at this moment, just slightly cleaner (and much more loved) than when I picked her up from the gentleman's carport, covered with a tarp.

 

[wa5cab]

OK. Calculated date, based on a lathe made in 1946 and one made in 1951 and the assumption that production per year was constant over that period, is 06 June 1948. I would bet on the year. The rest of it, not so much.

Robert D.

 

[Waldo1]

Thank you much, Robert! When I get a chance to really tear her down to strip and re-paint I'll likely be pulling the spindle and I'll share the bearing dates then.

Take care,

Waldo1