In this 3 part video, I attempt to describe three different ATLAS lathe & their attachments & accessories. I point out different things to watch out for when you are examining a lathe for possible purchase. WATCH ALL THREE PARTS!
My dad had the same 12 inch Atlas/Craftsman lathe as yours in his shop. Takes me back in time to see yours in your videos, and on that note, I learned everything I now do in my own hobby machine shop from you. Your life has left a wonderful mark on this world, for sure. Thanks as always, Mr. Pete.
Tracked down my Atlas identical to this one about 40 years ago when I was a kid... Sears was still selling parts for them. I was really amazed to find your series on this unit, and how I wish such fantastic information was available back then. Gentleman like you are changing the world of information in ways I don't think we understand yet. Many thanks!
mr pete. I have been a long sub. am not a machinest I live the craft and have total respect for you guys!!! but I had to say something about the comments about what you said about your passing. your incredible vast knowledge an the passon and the fact that you share it in such a enjoyable maner, I just wanted to say not only have learned so much from you but inspires me to get some older machines as a lathe !!!! I have a small shop that I use for repairing my older tools and since I will be retrying this year because of you sage advise has helped me along in my purchases. I took machine shop in high school in 1977 and I really loved it I am a press operator by trade [printing] but always love the machine work!!! I find it very offensive that any one would say that!!! I guess that is the way of the world. I consider your vidios great and please don't stop the add. remarks and obverations !!!
The current generation was not taught, nor understand the concept of respect. Their rude self-centeredness has infected society as a whole so people of an age you would expect to be mature are now behaving like spoiled brats. Of course this has been bubbling for many years now; but it looks like we're getting close to the boiling point...
Hi Tubalcain, thank you very much for this review trilogy! I enjoyed very much, especially part two, where you introduce the historical catalogues and manuals; I watched part one and two a couple of times and loaded numerous documents from the Keith Rucker vintage machinery site, following your recommendation. Again thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience! Greetings from Germany, Armin
TC, I realize you get paid from youtube but anyone with a half a brain can see that this stuff is yourPASSION and I commend you for continuing with your SUPERB youtube channel. I also like most of your mini rants and tangents because I agree with 99% of them. Just don't be discouraged by the few A-holes that leave negative comments - as we must realize no one can please everyone all the time............
Count me in on the guys that don't want you to die. It is just amazing to see people deride you for the great stuff you put here on RU-vid. Like Keith Rucker and Adam at Abom you provide great intelligent discussion of a million different subjects. You folksy wisdom has kept me laughing on many different occasions !!! Ignore them Sir, you're an institution on your very own and many thousands of fans know you are a good teacher and a great guy too !!! Take care and from one old guy to another, keep breathing long enough to piss all of 'em off !!!
@@mrpete222 Abom and fireball will come to your auction and myself as well. Your tools will get a good home after our inevitable demise. Before I die I am going to put a price tag on everything, keep the vultures away.
I have a slightly older version of this lathe. I just went through it and cleaned and derusted and lubricated it. Taking it apart was easy after watching your videos. I will be replacing the motor soon and I am thinking of repainting it. Thanks for all your help and excellent videos. Best regards Frank
I enjoyed this video. Super helpful. Thanks for posting it. I just bought a 12" craftsman and I'm looking forward to learning more and getting more accessories.
Never be ashamed of how many chucks you have! Ha ha....LOL... Mr. Pete; Love watching all your videos. Thanks for all your hard work bringing them to all of us.
Looking forward to you input on the other lathes too. I am looking some day for a Monarch or Hardinge. You have made good comments on the Atlas. My father who has now passed had a 10" Atlas that I still use to this day. He always wanted a quick change for his but never found one at the price he was willing to pay. His lathe is mounted on an old steel kitchen sink cabinet. It has worked well for many years with quite a bit or storage. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for another fine video. I have a very similar Craftsman 12 incher but no step pulley in the middle of the spindle shaft. I have two belts there that go below to a shaft that has belts connected to the motor. And you are right it is not the same quality as the major names but then it was a lot easier to buy and it has served me well for the past 40 or more years. Of course most of that 40 years it just sat in the back of the garage drawing dust and rust. Keep on keeping on.
Thank you for making this video. I have one of these lathes I need to sell. you gave me a lot of info on getting it ready to sell, and the price range. I will say I was hoping for a higher price range. It is what it is. Thanks again.
Be very glad your Atlas came with a quick change gear box, as my 1948 12” did not. My stepfather bought it originally back in 1950, and he was not a machinist by trade or education. And because of that, I am looking at about $700 for a used, USED, gear box for my lathe. Unless I can find that article where you can mount a servo motor control Arduino to the lead screw.
You're right. Buying a used lathe is just like buying a used car. You fall in love with it, learn it's faults and either live with it or fix it. I guess you could sell it. Thanks for another great video series.
I am glad I found you, sir. I have enjoyed the three videos in this series, I subscribed, and I plan on watching many more of your very instructional videos. Thanks very much for sharing all your experience and your love for this stuff. I am learning tons. BRAVO!
Another great video series... learned some of the finer points in what to look for when Lathe (used) shopping . as for those offensive comments, try not to take it to heart too much... unfortunately some people are just rude and cruel. I for one would love for to keep going for as long as the good Lord will let you and keep on producing these videos... I find it better watching you and your fellow machinists' videos than "The Bachelor" or " Shark Tank" on the TV.
I hope you live many more years and have a wonderful time ....I just want a lathe or a bridgeport , I want to gift it to my son to do gunsmithing. I am in Columbus Ohio, if anyone has one they aren't using, I would drive quite a ways to pick up a really nice one!
I was surprised how nice the 1976 lathe was. By the mid 70's many "Famous American Name Brands" were really cutting quality to offset inflation. Glad to see Atlas had not started down that road. Real shame what has happened to Sears. Stanley Black & Decker paid 900 million for the Craftsman brand name. However what made Craftsman valuable to me was the fact that they were quality USA made tools and the walk in exchange policy at Sears. Now they are the same middling quality imports as other SBD tools and I don't know how you collect on the warranty.
Don't change Mr Pete, says my 9 yr old daughter and me. You are what was called a Trade Teacher when i was at school, and know i am a tradesman because of teachers like you.
(IMHO:.....you might try using a piece of 1/4" wooden dowel, as a "pointing stick, rather than your finger). Great video!!! Thanks for all of the good advice!!!
hello again pete,,, thanks for your help with the jacobs four jaw chucks..i have just been watching the video on your ;american; lathes i myself have a myford ml10 good..if you know what i mean.. but not rolls royce,, many many years ago i had the good luck to be at the right place at the right time i saw perched on top of a skip full of steel turnings..a lathe.. the rolls royce of lathes..... a dean smith & grace ..pete ,, if you ever get chance to get one,,, dont hesitate.. you will never regret it they are the best...mine cost me £20 ..10x35 ..but a few weeks later we sold everything and went to live in spai .. then came back again.. penniless and start again .. such is life .. i am still looking for another dean smith &grace... there as rare as hens teeth... well pete enough of my rambling.. look after yourself i will be 80 in september.. but not senile or doddering and fitt ish laurence
Just a comment on the quick change gearbox slowest feed rate of .0042” per revolution. If you remove the two 40 tooth gears from the quadrant and install a combo 24/48 tooth gear in place of the 40/40 gear, you can halve the feed rate to .0021” per revolution. But when you make this change, you have to remember that this also halves everything when threading. So you need to set the change gear levers for one row above the tpi you want to cut. In other words, to cut 32 threads per inch you must set the levers for 16 tpi. And the threads in the top row of the chart will not be able to be cut unless you reinstall the 40/40 gear set. Also, when you make the 24/48 gear change, the fastest feed rate of .0078” per rev is cut in half to .0039” per rev. Also, you can use any combo of gears such as 32/64, 28/56, etc. that will fit on the quadrant.
keep em comin Mr Pete, must say though many have cussed atlases for their box ways. looking forward to a similar series on southbend. wish I could afford a pacemaker! thanks again, greetings from Washington!
I want to add to what Bobby W said, I gather your are an old school shop teacher (not saying you are old but rather 'old school'.) I don't see a new generation coming to replace you guys and that is sad. The skills you taught could turn into a good career for a young person and an attractive living. Important too is the respect you have for quality tools and that reflects back on the people who made them. It is also sad that Americans no longer do.
I heard your comment on dying and was saddened to think someone would be rude enough to say anything offensive. I hope you are well and love your channel.👏🏻👍👍❤️
Thanks for the info. I have a craftsman 12” just like the one you have there. I believe it’s a commercial model. It’s has twin 36 gears on the tumbler. I was able to slow down the feed to 1000 threads per inch with the gear change. .001 per revolution. If you want the pdf with all the info I’d be happy to email it to you.
My Lathe is the exact model, i live in South africa, the lead wheel has play and this morning i felt when turning the wheel towards the chuck it is kinda grindy, help uncle Pete where do i find new gears, i watch all your videos, the one with the Aprin removal was a good help as well. regards Johan ,Cape town RSA
I notice on some of your videos with lathes you have a reversing switch to access forward, neutral and reverse. A couple of questions: 1. Who makes these? 2. Do you have a website for the manufacturer? 3. Would you have an image or a picture I could take to one of my suppliers in the city to see if they stock these. Thanks so much for the GREAT videos and education.
Keep up the good information. Let me know when you are getting to old to mess with your stuff and I WILL make you an offer you can't refuse, thanks, Warren.
I switched out inter gear to 24 tooth to slow feed down,,I just have to multiply chart by 2,, and No longer have 4 to 6 treads per inch and would never cut that course anyway.
I just looked at a lathe like this last month. It was owned by a long time family friend (30+yrs) who died a few yrs ago. I had seen this lathe about 10 years ago and asked him about it. He said he paid $450 for it. It has lots of attachments, but not as many as shown in this video. I told him I was willing to buy it, but he didn't want to sell. I don't think he ever used it because it is in like-new condition. Unfortunately, his son now thinks it's worth nearly $3k!
I had read a comment somewhere, and it reminded me that there is no such thing as 220 volts in the USA. There is only 240 volts. If you measure an outlet it's 120 to 125 volts. At my garage close a hydroelectric dam it measures 125 volts, and 250 volts. I guess 110/220 volts was a very old standard that was actually discontinued and the 220 grid is actually non-existent now. I've noticed people call it "220" which I think is probably a 100 year old terminology. Really we should be calling it "240" because the new grid is technically called 120/240.
i am new to machining, i find these videos very interesting, educational . i have a central machinery multi purpose piece i picked up for 200, cleaned it turns on and works , but i been watching these videos and i found a logan and a atlas lath i am thinking of buying one of then both for under 500, 1 should i learn how to use one before buying? 2 buy the craftsman and use them both
Thank you for inquiring. Search for this video on RU-vid. All the information you need for ordering is in the video. Here is the exact title. Spring special shop video courses atlas lathe Bridgeport mill tubalcain
I just got a house and there was one of these in the basement, model #101.28990, on the owner’s manual in blue ink “Aug 31, 1981, sold for $2,227.00 new” I would love to tinker around with it, but I’m thinking about selling it!
How much does one of these small Atlas lathes weigh? Considering buying one but I don't want something that requires a forklift to move it. Also what would the commercial version of this lathe be worth in very nice shape with some tooling?
Yes, I do indeed. For complete information on course content, and pricing, etc. Please watch this RU-vid video of mine. Search for it. My email address is in the video. Here is the title, search for it on RU-vid. “ spring special Mr. Pete’s machine shop video courses tubalcain ” I will look forward to hearing from you
Thank you for this. I have this exact lathe and really enjoy it. The only difference is that mine sits on a steel cabinet and the motor is below the machine not behind it. It looks like it was an available accessory at time of purchase? I need to get a carriage stop also. Mine doesn’t have one.
Same thing with prices on high dollar pool cues, usually they are beat to death , they were great for 30 years then the guy got old and fell on it or dropped it 20 times a day for the last 2 years of his life. The widow already thinks anybody but her husband that plays pool is a crook , so , I don't even bother unless they call me and tell me their husband said to call me and sell it to me I would be fair .
How many of these Atlas Craftsman lathes do you have? This one is clearly a different one from the Atlas Craftsman Headstock video you made. I'm enjoying mine, which appears to be identical to this one. There are many differences between my 12x36 and the other lathe you show in your Atlas Craftsman videos.
Thanks for the vids Mr.Pete.I've been looking for a small lathe for a few years now, and here in southeast Michigan even REALLY tired abused lathes go for $500 if you can find one.Any tips on finding something decent/reasonably priced?
Please give my name to your wife in case she needs to get rid of some lathes and tools. I'm about your age so if I don't answer my phone she may assume I'm not going to. All jokes aside you have a most enjoyable presentation. Keep the videos coming and for the record I go get another cup of coffee and let the adds play. :)
Mr. Pete, I have been looking for a SB lathe for a long time now and I have encountered two kinds. Type 1 has been beat to hell and back - not worth buying. Type #2 has been somewhat restored (not terrifically) and is priced out of the ball park. When I was in HS my experience was on Southbends, Bridgeports and Logans and I have never seen, operated or heard anything at all about the Jet lathes. I can buy a Jet for a reasonable amount (brand new) but since there are no showrooms around here I just feel uncomfortable buying a pig in a poke on line. Can you let me know if the Jet models are descent quality lathes or should I keep looking for a Southbend - quite honestly, I do not think I will ever find what I am looking for .......
I never operated a jet--have seen some and I always thought they were a quality imported lathe. You are right--good luck on finding a GOOD sb at a reasonable price
Working in the Trade I have had the chance to use some Jet Bridgeport style clones. They are very functional, and are a decent quality machine. I do not believe they have the rigidity or overall "strength" of the original USA Bridgeports. One thing you will notice in the Asian imports is that everything is about 3/4 size of the original USA or European models they are copying. I have seen some Asian copies of the old Hendy machines and the gears, ways etc are all about 3/4 the width of original.
Thanks for this series. I have a problem similar to yours, too many lathes and not enough room. I have a Clausing 5914, which I truly love, a 12" craftsman (commercial) with stand, and a 10" Logan/Montgomery wards. If you had to choose, do you prefer using the craftsman or the Logan. One of them has to go but the feed rate and the zymak on the craftsman scares me. Thanks for all the videos, JB.
Recently acquired a ex high school SB9 Last night i put a ground dowel pin in the chuck and put dial indicator on the pin Sad to see .010” run out I loosened the chuck jaws slightly and spun the dowel by hand and got .000 So the dowel is round I cleaned the spindle the chuck the jaws I removed the backing plate cleaned it and checked the run out on it It is good with a max of .002 And I still ended up with .009 run out after trying to remount the dowel How much should i expect to see In a chuck
Another quick question - what size Aloris quick change tool post will work on a Craftsman 12" metal cutting lathe? Could you also recommend an Aloris quick change tool post knock off? Thank you again.
Hi Tubalcain, I have been rebuilding an Atlas 10 inch. Not sure what year it is, but it has the Babbitt style headstock. I just found out my spindle is not true. A dial gauge reads roughly 5 thou out. I have found a non Babbitt style headstock I think I will replace mine with. Do you have a preference on whether or not to use a Babbitt style head?
Guess I did ok,,l payed 650 dollars for both for my 12 inch,,with aloris tool post and 2 nice jacobs ball bearings chucks and nice set of tooling,,, no gear wear and ways have no Knicks and wear..
Grizzly is cheap and less well built than the Jet stuff. Both are inferior to original American Iron in rigidity. They do offer more amenities than the old stuff though, like coming with coolant systems and DRO from factory.
Ya know all the lathes I have seen are junk selling for new price. I had found a South bend and offered 50 dollars for the rusted junk but they wanted 1500.
Mr p in your career is there a story that sticks out as to a time where you completely lost your cool due to a student doing something either incredibly stupid or dangerous? I’d love to hear some stories…
Lol that's funny that you think widows are hard to deal with when trying to buy their dead husbands machinery and the reason I say that is my father recently passed and he owned a atlas craftsman lathe but my greddy brother was left executor of the will and he has stolen all of my dads machinery so yeah I find that funny it's not only windows it greedy family members too that are hard to deal with