Sheldon Cm 56

[4GSR]

Everyone, I found a picture of this exact same lathe on the back cover of a Sheldon Lathe brochure. They refer to it as a "Hand Chucking Lathe". The copyright of the brochure is 1965. I don't have a late catalog on Sheldon that would give details on this particular lathe. If I find something, I'll post it. Ken

 

[Bamban]

Ken,

We just got back from SA TX. The atheist pretty solid and stout little lathe. The current ownerating are in the race car business. They never used this lathe for any precision work, but in their own words it works well. Unfortunately, the phase converter went with the mill they just sold, we were not able to power it. Stuck an old indicator they had on the set thru plate of the chuck, at least it was turned nicely. Feeler running on that dirty chuck shows hardly any runout. No bearing play pushing on the chuck. The spindle spins nicely, not real quite, but no grinding noise. The turret locks solidly with hard tugging. The turning dial was locked out of the way and they no idea what it is for. I had to wipe out the dinterview to expose the dial. From what I can feel on the ways there is no discernible wear nor visible gouges. The 5C collet closer was never used.

Here are some pictures.

 

[Bamban]

More pictures

 

[Bamban]

More pictures.

Ken, Do turrets have a lock down system that locates the turret to spindle centerline front to back, or the centerline has to be dialed it. Once dialed in, what would stop it from slightly moving.

This has a power drive in both directions, but it looks like it has only a lead screw.

What do you think I should offer the seller. He is moving the shop this Saturday, he has the motivation to sell since they are are downsizing shop at another location.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

 

[Bamban]

How much should I offer the seller that I won't insult him.

 

[Bob Korves]

How about "I don't know what these go for or what you are thinking you should get for it, but $xxx.00 is what it is worth to me."

 

[Ulma Doctor]

i'd offer $1250 and see if he balked

if you get it, i can build a converter for you pretty cheap
good luck

 

[Bamban]

Thanks, y'all.

The first time I turned those balanced crank handles on both the turret cross slide and apron, I was impressed, that thing felt heavy, but very smooth. Never had the opportunity to even turn a handle on a good Ameican iron.

The manual claims the turret indexing is "50 millionth" Is that the catch word back back then? I remember reading the 10EE advertises "millionth" in their bearing spec instead of decimal representation.

The spindle free wheels so easily, is tjat normal for tapared roller bearing system. My 1236 and 1024 surely do not?

I will make him an offer.

 

[mksj]

You might offer less (like $750) and than have an upper limit. It does not look like it has been used in awhile, there is dust mixed with grease on the moving surfaces, gearbox etc. Maybe used for some simple drilling/turning, as there is no other holders mounted on the turret. Seems like everything else has been picked over and this is what remains, very limited number of people that I think would be interested in this type of lathe. He may be just happy to get something as opposed to nothing and dragging it somewhere else to sit.
Mark