help getting lathe up and running?

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Putt-Rite

Putt-Rite

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Messages
56
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7
Location
Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA
Anybody want to help me get started with my lathe? It's a WWII vintage (far as I know) Craftsman model that I *think* was used for war production. I *think* that is.

I've been a member here for too long without starting a steam engine. I have a bucket foundry and have done a few pours, so can make chunks for turning.

I've had my lathe for ages but never turned it on. I have an extra set of gears for it. I need to do some assembling and stuff.

I'll post pics in a little bit.
 
I'm in Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA. I'm also trying to make a donation and it's not letting me...

My Atlas Craftsman:

vqpj49.jpg
[/IMG]

Looks like my pics aren't coming through from tinypic?

Hokay so I set up an automatic subscription through Paypal. It went through to 7 Community something-or-other, then I cancelled the subscription because I only wanted to make a one-time payment, this has happened on another website I've donated to, and Paypal said it cancelled to "Keith," just one name and no last name? Grrrr. I hope this is normal?
 
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Putt-Rite said:
I'm in Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA. I'm also trying to make a donation and it's not letting me...

My Atlas Craftsman:

vqpj49.jpg
[/IMG]

Looks like my pics aren't coming through from tinypic?

Hokay so I set up an automatic subscription through Paypal. It went through to 7 Community something-or-other, then I cancelled the subscription because I only wanted to make a one-time payment, this has happened on another website I've donated to, and Paypal said it cancelled to "Keith," just one name and no last name? Grrrr. I hope this is normal?
Click to expand...
I'm seeing this a lot wih various services and such. Even Apple's developer accounts want you to subscribe with automatic renewals. Honestly it pisses me off, if nothing else I don't want bank account surprises and even more so I need to manage my cash flow carefully.

As for posting pictures there is a sticky post someplace that covers how to do this. I'm not sure where it is at the moment but maybe somebody can drop a link. I'll update this post if I find it.
 
Wizard69 said:
I'm seeing this a lot wih various services and such. Even Apple's developer accounts want you to subscribe with automatic renewals. Honestly it pisses me off, if nothing else I don't want bank account surprises and even more so I need to manage my cash flow carefully.

As for posting pictures there is a sticky post someplace that covers how to do this. I'm not sure where it is at the moment but maybe somebody can drop a link. I'll update this post if I find it.
Click to expand...
 
Aha! Take the url of your remotely hosted pic and click on the "link" icon and paste the pic in the field.

Yep ever notice how the internet has turned into a giant IQ test and you have to work your ass off for it (Them) instead of it working for you? They can pretty much train you to accept whatever they want to do with your money (it's actually theirs, you just labor for it) and have carte blanche to waste your time and make you think think think where it worked much more simply 20 years ago? I detect a pattern...

I numbered my pics and in tinypic they organized my pics in reverse order, so I straightened that out, and now it's back to ordered backwards again. The internet will gaslight you and make you question your logic and memory. Basically it tries to make you feel stupid. Used to be able to bang your work out and get back to your offline activities; now it tries to keep you glued to the screen for as long as possible. I've been at this chore here for quite a while. I question what good this machine has brought ot my life sometimes...I refuse to carry one of those damn phones, too. I'm the only person I know who doesn't use one; I have a friend who has three.

Remember HTML? Oh, but it was "insecure," the "Russian Mafia" was forever hacking average Americans. Now we have Flash so if you blink you can't catch the fact the images on your screen have jumped.

It's actually stressful having the computer go to war with you...I can feel the tops of my shoulders get hot from anger...be careful it's actually harmful, this bullshit stress. People need to resolve to talk about it so everybody knows they are being gamed.











 
If you don't want to host your pics elsewhere it gets very simple to post pics here. Simply select the pic/s you want from your folder on your computer, then drag and drop them into the body of a post. They will automatically upload and you'll see them all as thumbnails at the bottom of your post. As you type your post and you want to insert on of the pics, simply click on the button underneath the pic and it will insert into position. It's far easier, and vastly quicker than messing around with Photobucket, etc.
 
Those parts are an Atlas manufactured 10F. Can't tell the bed length, but it's a 10F for sure. If it was sold by Sears, it'll have a Craftsman nameplate and model number, but the parts are unmistakable. It has a babbitt bearing headstock, and change gears rather than a quick change.
 
I have had two Atlas/Craftsman lathes, do you need to know how to assembly it.?
I have the book on Craftsman lathes that could be of some help to you, let me know.
 
packrat said:
I have had two Atlas/Craftsman lathes, do you need to know how to assembly it.?
I have the book on Craftsman lathes that could be of some help to you, let me know.
Click to expand...


Yeh I need help with what to do first, then second...I want to do just one step at a time though.

Awfully hot and humid here in New England, so I'd probably only be able to do one step per day/session...

Oh good it looks like I can cut-and-paste here after all...

Every website is different...

here's where I quit working on it. I wanted to get the chuck off but it wouldn't budge. I'd read of people breaking gears by jamming them and using force to unscrew the chuck so I thought I'd better stop fooling with it so I don't break something, and never restarted working.

I do believe all the parts are there for it. The motor works. I have some mechaical abilities, poor spelling, woodworking skills, and can solder wires etc.

upload_2018-9-4_12-59-44.png
 

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While it is disassembled and dry consider painting the components before reassembly. It will give you some immediate pride of ownership.

When painted it might be easier to sell if you want a different lathe. Change gears can be a nuisance and if the chuck is seized I would leave it alone. It may run true as is and not need to be changed.

I had a Southbend 9 from the 1940s which was similar. It was worn in places but still did good work. Keep your old lathe well oiled before each use and I'll bet it provides you with good service too.
 
Out of curiosity , I found the parts list on the 'net'
So what can be done on a Limey's machine should surely be obtainable in the US? Don'y]t you think??????
So how to free a chuck? So once you have the lathe assembled, simply remove the 'bit of round' .
In the inside of the spindle casting is the big gear. The odds are that if you clout the gear, you will strip a tooth but if you spread the load by jamming a wedge of wood to lock the gear and Spread t he Force, you can put a bit of wood in the jaws of the 3 jaw and with sufficient length a clout with a hammer should jump the chuck off the spindle thread.

Actually I have two Myfords and some times there is a jam like yours and I made a proper bar out of a bit of rectangular steel tubing.Often it is an awkward faceplate or catchplate on the ML10.

I recall that it the very dim and distant past, I had similar trouble with a wartime Pools Major which you will nevver heard of but before all this, I actually machined the back plate off. Today, No Problem as described

I once took the fretted flywheel off a 997cc Mini Cooper but that took an 1" BSW homemade extractor-- but this is a Toy.

Let me know how t=you get on

Norm
 
I'd start out working on the bed. Clean it up, go over it carefully looking for damage. Smooth down any dings or dents with appropriate file/scraper/stone, clean again and paint anything you want painted. Figure out where you're going to mount the lathe and bolt down the bed, making sure it's level as best you can. Once done, you're ready to start adding parts.

Others may disagree, but that's how I'd go at it, cleaning and adding parts as I go.
 
DJP said:
While it is disassembled and dry consider painting the components before reassembly. It will give you some immediate pride of ownership.

When painted it might be easier to sell if you want a different lathe. Change gears can be a nuisance and if the chuck is seized I would leave it alone. It may run true as is and not need to be changed.

I had a Southbend 9 from the 1940s which was similar. It was worn in places but still did good work. Keep your old lathe well oiled before each use and I'll bet it provides you with good service too.
Click to expand...

Good idea but yeah I'm liking it as-is, it has a number hand painted on it which I assume is a catalog number from a factory somewhere. Lots of guys do like to paint theirs and I may do that someday but I need to see it running before I spend any energy on it. It looks like it has a bit of history to it and I think it was used for war materiel making.

A friend about 4 hours from here got one similar with a quick-change gear box and simply took his to the car wash and blasted it clean, and then drenched it in WD-40 to chase the water out. I should have done that before I started taking it apart.. It was together but the motor assembly was disassembled.

It came with a metal bench (I could take a pic if necessary) but I made a wooden one that it sits on now. I have some 2x2 metal tubing I can stiffen the bench top with if needed.

I'll just wait to see what I should do first...if it was yours, what would you do first (besides painting it lol).
 
Putt-Rite said:
I'll just wait to see what I should do first...if it was yours, what would you do first (besides painting it lol).
Click to expand...

I'd follow the idea above to mount the bed wherever you want it, try to get it level, and then start bolting things to it (finger tight) to see if everything is there. The only awkward thing is likely to be the belt between the spindle and the countershaft - if it's a normal endless belt, changing it with everything together will be a pain in the neck, so have look at it first or decide to use a T-link (split-able) belt. I guess I'd have a feel at the headstock bearings first too, and take any play out before going much further.

Once it's all together, folks here will advise on setting up jibs and seeing how true it turns.
 
I have one like it and had another like it in the past. Clausing has taken over from Atlas, and parts can be gotten from them. I had a catalog of parts, but my house burned last yr, and I have no idea where they were stashed (or thrown). What I did find in the spot where I have it stored is a list of gears, (but probably only the ones I don't have): 56, 52, 46, 44, 40, 32. But if I remember right, there were nine on a stove bolt for the previous lathe. I also found a phone # 1-(800)-323-0972.
On the earlier one, my chuck also got stuck. I got it off with a big pipe wrench, but a long bar clamped in the jaws would do the same. A strap wrench around the main gear would save shearing the lock pin. The model # is 618, as it is 6"x18".
I didn't see a rocker switch with it. They can be expensive, but a 4-way switch for household lights will work.
 
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