Looking at buying my first lathe

It looks like from the picture the tailstock should be able to extend. For a lot of short turnings, you won't be using the tailstock anyway. At $400 with the tooling included, I'd buy it.
 
I think you should look at this gap as a feature. It's not problem for the carriage, and I have no idea why you'd ever want the tailstock that close to the chuck. But, I could expect it will be gone soon. I'm thinking about calling them myself. :cool:

Just kidding.
 
$400.00 was a very good price for a Logan 200, assuming the condition was reasonable. If you look at
another Logan, be sure to check the spindle bearings for roughness: they're available as sole source parts
from Logan but one of them is expensive.
 
Brennan Gillen said:
Update: It sold before I could go see it!
Click to expand...
Please, if you are seriously looking to buy a lathe, don’t post here and ask if it’s a good deal. If it’s a good deal, and you can’t tell, you’re not ready, and it will be gone by the time you get any of our random opinions. If it’s a bad deal, and you can’t tell, you’re still not ready. You just have to read more ads, go look quickly at offerings, and be ready to pull the trigger now.
 
silence dogood said:
The gap is where the tailstock would ride on, which is this case, would not matter.
Click to expand...

@Brennan Gillen

First, Welcome to the group!

I am not quite in agreement with @silence dogood ..... close, but the devil is in the details.......
(perhaps he meant carriage not tailstock?)

$400 for a functional lathe is on the low side, which is likely why this one sold even with the "concerning modifications".

I run a Southbend 9-inch.
I doubt that I have ever used my tailstock that close to the chuck. Why?
If I am turning something short, I don't use the tailstock.
If I am turning something big, then the tailstock is several inches away from the chuck.

Now more importantly, let's discuss the lathe as shown.....

pro:
the carriage (with cutting tool) will be run up close the the chuck, however the carriage is (or should be) several inches wide, thus averaging any deviations in the ways; small deviations do not matter.....
a Logan is a sought-after machine; they are known for quality and rigidity
decent chucks can run well over $150 each; these look like surface rust that is easily cleanable
a fixed stead can easily cost over $100 alone

con:
if the previous owner was i) in this much of a hurry to not figure out a better way, and/or ii) didn't care about this machine, then what other modifications or oversights exist that are not as obvious?

There are a number of threads here on about buying a new/used lathe. Poke around a bit, many have great hints at finding the right machine.
Ask any questions you have.

Brian
 
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Winegrower said:
Please, if you are seriously looking to buy a lathe, don’t post here and ask if it’s a good deal. If it’s a good deal, and you can’t tell, you’re not ready, and it will be gone by the time you get any of our random opinions. If it’s a bad deal, and you can’t tell, you’re still not ready. You just have to read more ads, go look quickly at offerings, and be ready to pull the trigger
Click to expand...
If you go read my original posting I was not asking anything about deals or price I was asking about structural integrity and function. I am new to the hobby and don't really want my first lathe to be the last thing I see before I die. Thanks for your concern but don't take other people's opinions of worth and pass them on to me seeing as I was not looking to flaunt a deal, just get info from more experienced people.
 
brino said:
@Brennan Gillen

First, Welcome to the group!

I am not quite in agreement with @silence dogood ..... close, but the devil is in the details.......
(perhaps he meant carriage not tailstock?)

$400 for a functional lathe is on the low side, which is likely why this one sold even with the "concerning modifications".

I run a Southbend 9-inch.
I doubt that I have ever used my tailstock that close to the chuck. Why?
If I am turning something short, I don't use the tailstock.
If I am turning something big, then the tailstock is several inches away from the chuck.


Brian
Click to expand...

I think what was meant is that the carriage only rides on the outer ways, the tailstock rides on the inner ways...

The damage is all to the inner ways.

You really couldn't get the tailstock that far to the left without removing the carriage, so... functionally, it likely wouldn't hurt anything, but... if it has been modified in that way, what else has been done to the lathe that is not as obvious?

-Bear
 
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