To Zamak or not to Zamak? Atlas 6" Clausing 10100

Rangie4fun

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Hi, I'm new to the hobby-machinist forum because last week I bought an Atlas Clausing 10111, ser no 000778. Comes with a lot of accessories (milling support, 4t Chuck). It will be delivered to my home by the end of this month. Bought it via a friend who is 1000km away.
By reading on this (and other) forum I was wondering if mine might have a Zamak Headstock.
How to tell if it is Zamak or cast iron? The lathe is painted blue and the headstock number is 383-017 and beneath that number there's also visible another number: Q4 7.5.77. Unfortunately the lathe is not with me yet so I hope someone can help with this, giving the serial number and headstock humbers provided. Thank you!
 
I'm far from an expert on this topic but I have a 6" Atlas lathe that I believe is the same machine or similar. I'm almost positive that the only thing made of Zamak are the gears.
 
Hi, I'm new to the hobby-machinist forum because last week I bought an Atlas Clausing 10111, ser no 000778. Comes with a lot of accessories (milling support, 4t Chuck). It will be delivered to my home by the end of this month. Bought it via a friend who is 1000km away.
By reading on this (and other) forum I was wondering if mine might have a Zamak Headstock.
How to tell if it is Zamak or cast iron? The lathe is painted blue and the headstock number is 383-017 and beneath that number there's also visible another number: Q4 7.5.77. Unfortunately the lathe is not with me yet so I hope someone can help with this, giving the serial number and headstock humbers provided. Thank you!

I don't think the headstocks were ever zamak. Only gears and some bracketry, that was "probably" done that way to act as a "fuse" n the event of a crash or other high force event, to minimize the damage.

Stick a magnet to your headstock. Zammac might stick a little, whereas steel and iron will stick "well", kinda similar to the bed ways.
 
The magnet test will definitely separate the Zamak from the cast iron, Besides the gears, the half nuts, the leadscrew bushing on the tailstock end, and the spindle pulley assembly are Zamak. Zamak parts are cheaper to manufacture and can be die cast. Zamak is used where strength is not a requirement and/or surface improved finish is desired.
 
The later headstocks are of Zamak but the majority are CI. Here's a passage from Tony's lathe archive:

By 1974, and after 37 years of production, the Mk. 1 6" Atlas had been extensively redesigned as the Mk. 2 and was now catalogued by its makers first as the Model 3950 with a headstock made from cast iron and then, as the 10100, with one in ZAMAK (of course, the lathe was also sold by sears under their Craftsman label as well). Although the bed, complete carriage assembly and tailstock were conventional enough, the use of a pressure die-cast headstock on the last few models made broke new ground, the design featuring a very short assembly that held an unusual and compact backgear arrangement - of which more later.

Looking at whatever pics you have of the headstock, if you see any areas of abraded paint, if Zamak they'll look bright. Areas of rust or brown would indicate CI. Hope this helps. I have a complete CI headstock but you're too far away. :)
 
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