My first lathe ... 618

[GaWajn]

I recently purchased this Atlas 618 lathe. It is in working condition ... but has a few issues. I will be needing your help with getting the machine to run as it should. I will be posting my questions in this thread, as they arise from my inspection/testing.

I have read just about everything I could find on this site regarding the 618 ... but being a complete novice ... a lot of the information is a bit over my head.

For today ... I will just post the pictures identifying the lathe. The questions will come later. Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

 

[westsailpat]

Score ! Looks good . Keep us posted .

 

[GaWajn]

Here are a few more pics ...





The gears on the spindle look very dry ...



The whole assembly for tensioning looks to be loose ... probably bad bushings etc ...



I don't care for the maretts wiring job ... looks like a 3/4 HP single phase wired for 115 Volts. I will be looking into improving the wiring job and maybe convert to 220 Volts.



I think that is a live center on the tailstock ... I don't know much about these things ...



Now that's a funky looking tool setup on the tool post ... that ain't gonna work for me. If I can get the lathe working correctly ... I will be getting a starter kit from the Little Machine Shop.





The cross slide screw has major up and down play. I will include a short video showing this. I can't believe that is correct!



Looks like the belt will need replacing ...

 

[dlane]

Welcom to the site, I think ied first get the correct oils for it ,Way oil , spindle oil, a manual for it should be in the downloads
That is a odd looking tooling setup

 

[DaveInMi]

Welcom to the site, I think ied first get the correct oils for it ,Way oil , spindle oil, a manual for it should be in the downloads
That is a odd looking tooling setup

I have used that tool holder in the tool post for a boring bar. I thought that was its purpose. I didn't use it for tool bits.

 

[dlane]

Shouldn't the motor be under the drive ? , dose it run backwards,
Do these lathes not have way wipers
It should be a good learning lathe

 

[francist]

The cross slide screw has major up and down play. I will include a short video showing this. I can't believe that is correct!

Yup, that's largely due to the fact that you're missing a couple of parts there -- namely the guard and the flat-head screw that attaches the guard. The guard itself is not so much a loss, but the accompanying screw attaches through the hole in the guard and the cross slide to anchor the bronze lead screw nut. Without it, the lead screw will indeed flop around quite a bit.

You may want to have a real close look at various parts drawings to identify all your components. I think (although it's a bit tough from the photo) that you're also missing the two adjustment screws to the rocker shaft. This could account for what you describe as "looseness" there as well, although it could be other things too. At any rate, looking at the exploded parts drawings and comparing them one by one with the assemblies on your lathe is a great way to find things as well as help you identify what might be amiss.

Certainly no shortage of power with a 3/4 horse motor but for some reason it's been reduced in speed quite a bit with the aftermarket pulleys there. Maybe the previous owner didn't know how to engage back gear? And yes, do get some oil happening!

Have fun, they're nice little machines!

-frank

 

[GaWajn]

Good hints on where to get started. Thanks for the input guys. I have a paper ''LATHE OPERATION'' repro manual on the way from ebay.

 

[GaWajn]

These parts came with the machine.











You can see the old worn half nut at the top of this photo.



I wonder if these jaws are for the three jaw chuck?

 

[GaWajn]

Also ... the previous owner installed a new half nut which he said cost him close to $100 CND. When I engage the half nut ... it makes an intermittent noise like it might be binding at points. I will try to post a video of this.

I have $400 CND into the machine at this point, so I have some $$ wiggle room to make things right.