Is this lathe worth $1800? 1952 - 53 Logan - Wards Powr-Kraft

[woodchucker]

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Sitting in my garage as I type this. I really appreciate all the information and support on this board. I ended up paying full price for the machine but that included a rotary table and a sine bar for my milling machine. Lots of extra pieces of material to practice with, tooling bits, etc. A tool post grinder (not a Logan - I haven't really looked at it that much), taper attachment, etc.

Now I have to figure out what bench set up I need. Right now it's sitting on a wooden bench and a wooden skid. Might just buy a tool box with a wood top and start there. Not really decided yet.

did the drawers come with that bench? That bench may be more rigid than a tool box.
you'll need a pan for chips and oil. I put a oil pan that you stick under the car to catch drips. Then I use a baking pan on top of that under the carriage to collect the chips. You'd be surprised how much the two catch.

 

[twhite]

I second leave it on that table for now. You scored with all the other goodies for sure.


Cutting oil is my blood.

 

[tominboise]

did the drawers come with that bench? That bench may be more rigid than a tool box.
you'll need a pan for chips and oil. I put a oil pan that you stick under the car to catch drips. Then I use a baking pan on top of that under the carriage to collect the chips. You'd be surprised how much the two catch.

It does have the two drawers for the bench. Also a chip pan. I have some ISO 68 way oil on hand for my milling machine. The lathe manual calls for SAE 10W machine oil for lubricating the machine. Where should I get that?

 

[woodchucker]

no, the way oil is good for the ways.

 

[ShagDog]

It does have the two drawers for the bench. Also a chip pan. I have some ISO 68 way oil on hand for my milling machine. The lathe manual calls for SAE 10W machine oil for lubricating the machine. Where should I get that?

Congratulations on finally finding your lathe. I hope you enjoy the heck out of it. You may want to try KBC tools for the oil. They carry EEZ Lubes from Mullen Circle Brand.

 

[tominboise]

I put the lathe in it's final location and installed the drawers. It's pretty solid so I will work with this until I need something better.


Cleaned and lubed it a bit and ran a cut or two on a piece of aluminum stock. I didn't crash anything and it seems to cut, so mark it as a win. I have a couple questions.


The belt is slipping (it is new), especially when trying to power feed the carriage. I tightened the belt some - do I just keep tightening until it does slip anymore? It is a new belt.

Second - this screw on the cross feed. Do I loosen it to adjust the scale on the hand wheel?

 

[ShagDog]

Looks good, Tom.

As to the belt, don't know the answer.

As to the dial, I am not too familiar with Logans; but, on a South Bend, that screw would be the adjustment for the scale.

 

[MrWhoopee]

More tension, the belt should slip only under heavy cuts, if then.

Yes, that screw should be loosened to adjust the dial. It really should be a thumb screw, since you will need to adjust regularly.