On a related note, I just came across a 5", 5C collet chuck at a website called Little Machine Shop. I can't post any links to it, yet, since I'm still new here and need 5 posts before I can. Has anyone had any experience fitting this collet chuck to their Atlas lathe? How much work is involved? Is the quality good? It's about $225+, which is a lot more reasonable than a Bison or something like that.
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Need Some Help With Newly Acquired Atlas Lathe
- Thread starter Anthony G
- Start date
Anthony,
I am in the same boat as you in looking for material. I found out from wa5cab, who is extremely knowledgeable, that we need 30 posts to be able to view the information in the download stickies at the top of this sub forum. I contacted Clausing Company and they sent me a copy of Atlas 10F - Series Parts rev 1. This is a solid start on documentation with schematics but I believe the downloads section has rev 2. Also refer to the Atlas MOLO sub forum, I found the version of the Manual of Lathe Operations which would be most applicable to my TH42 (again thanks to wa5cab).
Good luck
I am in the same boat as you in looking for material. I found out from wa5cab, who is extremely knowledgeable, that we need 30 posts to be able to view the information in the download stickies at the top of this sub forum. I contacted Clausing Company and they sent me a copy of Atlas 10F - Series Parts rev 1. This is a solid start on documentation with schematics but I believe the downloads section has rev 2. Also refer to the Atlas MOLO sub forum, I found the version of the Manual of Lathe Operations which would be most applicable to my TH42 (again thanks to wa5cab).
Good luck
Hey plus.................Clausing sent you an electronic copy I assume? Or was it paper/hard copy? Was there a cost for it? Not sure what the Atlas "MOLO" subforum is? Where is that located?
Clausing sent me the electronic copy (PDF) at no cost. It is Rev 1 dated 1966 and looks to be the same copy that I was provided from a member on this forum.
History Of The Atlas Molo And Version Selection Chart (with Files Attached)
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/thre...on-selection-chart-with-files-attached.24714/
There are a copy of subtle differences in the MOLO depending upon your gear setup and the link above will help you decide the best for your machine. I suggest you do your research and ask one of the more knowledgeable members to make sure you are on the right track. From what I have seen, you can expect to spend upwards of 30-50 dollars for one of these.
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- Dec 25, 2011
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All,
I wouldn't pay more that about $40 plus shipping for any copy of the MOLO other than a bona fide 1st Edition, which doesn't cover the 10F anyway. There were just too many of them printed. If anyone needs to find a MOLO and doesn't yet have access to Downloads, send me a PM with your email address and I will send you the two documents on it that will help you pick the right one (out of the total of approximately 33 editions that boil down to 9 actually different versions.
On the subject of getting PDF's of manuals or drawings from Clausing, there was a day or two ago a copy of a message from Jolene at Clausing posted on the Yahoo main Atlas Group. It says that "Management" has decided to only supply hard copies sent through regular mail, and not for free. If I can locate the message, I will post a copy here.
I wouldn't pay more that about $40 plus shipping for any copy of the MOLO other than a bona fide 1st Edition, which doesn't cover the 10F anyway. There were just too many of them printed. If anyone needs to find a MOLO and doesn't yet have access to Downloads, send me a PM with your email address and I will send you the two documents on it that will help you pick the right one (out of the total of approximately 33 editions that boil down to 9 actually different versions.
On the subject of getting PDF's of manuals or drawings from Clausing, there was a day or two ago a copy of a message from Jolene at Clausing posted on the Yahoo main Atlas Group. It says that "Management" has decided to only supply hard copies sent through regular mail, and not for free. If I can locate the message, I will post a copy here.
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Plus,
The June, 1966 10F parts list isn't Rev 1, even if Clausing called it that. The actual Bulletin number is 10L-6. So it was at least their Rev 5.
I have been using Rev and a number on the TIF and PDF copies of the 1966 edition to identify corrections and additions that I have been making. Mainly adding things like missing screws, correcting drawings so that they look like the actual part, etc. It suddenly dawned on me a few months ago that over the past couple of years, I had made corrections, additions, etc. to the document. And there was no easy way to ID which version one was looking at. That's when I started putting a revision number and date on the front cover and on the page with the change. I am currently at Rev 3 but haven't yet changed out the copy in Downloads.
The June, 1966 10F parts list isn't Rev 1, even if Clausing called it that. The actual Bulletin number is 10L-6. So it was at least their Rev 5.
I have been using Rev and a number on the TIF and PDF copies of the 1966 edition to identify corrections and additions that I have been making. Mainly adding things like missing screws, correcting drawings so that they look like the actual part, etc. It suddenly dawned on me a few months ago that over the past couple of years, I had made corrections, additions, etc. to the document. And there was no easy way to ID which version one was looking at. That's when I started putting a revision number and date on the front cover and on the page with the change. I am currently at Rev 3 but haven't yet changed out the copy in Downloads.
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- 10,552
Anthony,
To use a 5C collet chuck, you have to have some 5C collets. Each one covers a narrow diameter range of maybe about 0.030", or about +/- 1/64". The 5C collet will cover up to a maximum of 1-1/16" diameter. But to cover the range of 1/16" to 1-1/16", you need a set of about 64 collets. Plus a collet chuck. Unless you have specific need for collets to hold repeat work in, you'd be much better off initially putting your money into a better than average 3-jaw chuck and a good 4-jaw chuck. If you ever have need of a collet for holding repeat work and the diameter is under 3/4" and the length is short, a 3MT collet and drawbar would be much cheaper. If you need to hold longer work but 1/2" diameter or smaller, 3AT or 3C collets would probably be cheaper.
I actually happen to have all of the above, but I'm something of a tool junkie and I have a 3-1/2 decade head start on you.
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I was just referring to the working size of the lathe. The 24" is the approximately maximum available distance between the centers. The 942 that is cast in the bed will be in other sizes 948 or 954 for example. The last 2 digits is the length of the bed in inches but the CtoC distance is 18" less than the bed. Atlas made 18, 24, 30 and 36" CtoC lathes which the 24 and 36" appear to be the most common. My current lathe has a CtoC of 40" but the bed length is approx. 68"
I have the same Atlas lathe pictured posted on my website, in the machining section. pierresplace.ca I sold the Atlas after about 20 years to finance the purchase of my current lathe which is a clone of the Jet BDB-1340A.
As for the QCTP, I used a Phase II in AXA size the next size up BXA is too big. You will likely have to machine a little bit of the hump off the top slide to clear the corners of the toolpost.
Pierre
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IMHO, the first investment to make would be a QCTP. Aloris or Dorian if money is no object. I had a Phase II on my South Bend for a number of years and was extremely happy with it. Use the money you save for a 3C collet set.