Noob wonders about a 1975 12 x 36 Atlas

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visenfile

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Even though I professed earlier to going Asian, I now see a 1975 Atlas 12 x 36 with quick change gearbox for $2100. Pictures only so far. Seems high based on threads so far? Thanks
 
Sounds high.......but there are a lot of factors. What condition is the lathe in? What tooling comes with it? Location is another factor. Washington isn't exactly in the rust belt, so prices are going to be higher there than in Ohio.

Tooling can easily double the price of a basic lathe.

Craftsman are decent lathes. The downsides are no v-ways and a lot of Zamak parts which tend to break. Having said that, I wouldn't pass on a Craftsman if it was in decent shape and the price was right. Lots of folks have them and do great work with them.

Steve
 
I'm with Steve, you need to look at what else is included, and what the lathe looks like. If it looks very good and has LOTs of tooling, then maybe consider paying near that. Still seems high to me. These come up for sale quite often, so you might want to look a bit before you jump into one for that much money. Check out eBay and craigslist, they sell on there often. Look for things like 3 and 4 jaw chucks, face plates, quick change toolholders, steady and follow rests. I bought a fairly well outfitted 12x36 Craftsman, and since I have purchased quite a few accesories for it, and I have probably around 1000 total in it. I would classify it as "well tooled" now. The milling attachment for these lathes typicaly goes for ~250, so if it has one, take that into consideration, although it is rare to get a lathe with one, they typicaly sell seperately (that's why the lathes you find on eBay are usualy stripped). The quick change gearbox lathes are usualy a bit higher in price, although for a hobby shop, the change gear lathes are more versatile. Of course, if you get a change gear lathe make sure you get he change gears for it, they will set you back 150 for a set. Motor in stand machines will be worth a bit more as well. Good luck in whateveryou decide to buy.
 
I suppose it depends on where you are located, as well. I got mine about 18 months ago here in the SF Bay Area where there is lots of money and a seemingly decent amount of machinery floating around for about $1,500 with a steady rest, quick change tool post, 3&4 jaw chucks and a steady-rest (all in excellent or near-excellent shape.)

I think for the kind of price you're looking at, it had better be in excellent shape and come with any number of extras like mine did.

-Ryan
 
For reference, the Craftsman 101.28990 12x36 cabinet machine in 1981 (final year of production) sold for $2299.00. Today's prices typically run $1000-$1800. That's just the lathe with at most a few minor pieces like dead centers, wrenches and the like. As mentioned earlier, prices tend to vary with area. And by the experience or lack thereof of the seller. Typical prices for the multitude of accessories seem to run around the 1981 list price rather than a bit lower. As a quicky rule of thumb, if you count the number of significant accessories, multiply that by $125, subtract the product from the asking price, and that number falls within the range above, it's probably a good deal if the machine is in good condition. Comments apply specifically only to the 101.28990 and Atlas 3996. Subtract $100 for the 24" equivalents and $100 for the bench models. The earlier 3/8" bed models generally go for less.

The comment earlier about Zamak parts is somewhat misleading. Zamak is considerably stronger than cast iron (but weaker than alloy steel). However, parts make from it are considerably cheaper than alloy steel, too. Which is why prices for the comparable Wards/Logan prices were generally higher over the decades than Craftsman/Atlas. But generally speaking, unless you have a Zamak part from a bad batch (mostly from the late 1930's or early War years) that hasn't been used since a few years after it was made, if you break one if them it's because you did something wrong (caused a crash, usually). Heart attacks or nearby thermo-nuclear blasts aside, all crashes are the fault of the operator. I bought my 3996 new in early 1981, have used it fairly regularly since, and have never broken anything on it. I'm about to replace the bushings in the drive system but nothing else on the machine yet needs replacement.

The flat bed versus V-bed argument is invariably unproductive. Either style is capable of producing acceptable work in the hands of a competent operator. And both can be worn out and not capable of producing acceptable work.

Robert D.
 
Thank you all . That information is very worthwhile. Although a noob I do have a 24" machinist flat and have been reading on the checks to perform. I will watch the ad. A rigger just quoted me $600 to haul and place so I will add that into the equation. Don't know if that is the going rate. Guess I have to bounce it off the cost of a U-Haul with a lift . Seems high to me because that machine is not the heaviest. I think his round trip would be about 200 miles.
 
I visited this seller (NW of PDX) last fall and looked at several lathes he had for sale. His wife does estate sales and he handles the lathes that crop up. Nice guy. He is pretty good a painting lathes, but is limited in what he can do as far as testing and repairing.

He hauled the lathe to his shop, so he is capable of moving it. I would try and negotiate a delivery as part of the price.

His prices tend toward the high side and his lathes sit on Craigslist for quite a while. Eventually they seem to sell.
 
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