Old Metal Lathe I found on CL

Chaznsc · Apr 12, 2013

I saw this on Craigslist and picked it up. The guy wanted $100 for it but took $40. I just felt like rescuing it since the guy had it sitting in the rain that day. I wired in a new switch, cleaned off some melted plastic that had melted onto it and it came right back to life. The best I can tell its vintage 1942+/- Craftsman. The lathe is of course, commercial, but everything it sits on seems home-engineered. I have absolutely no use for it so I don't exactly know why I bought it.

Thought I would share.

mdkingsley · Apr 12, 2013

Thats a pretty cool old lathe

uniballer · Apr 12, 2013

Good save! Repaint and use?

Bobf · Apr 12, 2013

Hey cool save! Clean it up and apply a little paint here n there and use it.

Garage5.9 · Apr 12, 2013

Is it OSHA approved ? haha j.k

artrem · Apr 13, 2013

It would be a lot of fun to restore that to pristine original condition. Even if you don't use it, it would be a great conversation piece.

Chaznsc · Apr 13, 2013

I'm not sure "I" could ever "use" it but its in great shape for a refurb. When I got it there was this blue plastic, like from those poly drums, that had melted all over the top. I cut it away with my side grinder tool and it popped right off. I like to just watch it run.

bigbubba · Apr 13, 2013

Chaznsc said:
I'm not sure "I" could ever "use" it but its in great shape for a refurb. When I got it there was this blue plastic, like from those poly drums, that had melted all over the top. I cut it away with my side grinder tool and it popped right off. I like to just watch it run.

Where are you at? What would you sell it for if you are not planning to use it?

Lotek · Apr 13, 2013

Chaznsc said:
I'm not sure "I" could ever "use" it but its in great shape for a refurb. When I got it there was this blue plastic, like from those poly drums, that had melted all over the top. I cut it away with my side grinder tool and it popped right off. I like to just watch it run.

All the reason you need to keep it. :thumbup:

BFBOB · Apr 13, 2013

You'll use it. Even if once every few months, it's worth having around. How about drilling a hole in the center of a rod? Easy as pie on a lathe, not so any other way. And of course you can do wood turning on a metal lathe - not the reverse.
Good find!

NUTTSGT · Apr 13, 2013

I believe you deserve a "you ****" award just on the coolness factor alone.

Chaznsc · Apr 13, 2013

NUTTSGT said:
I believe you deserve a "you ****" award just on the coolness factor alone.

I'm new so I'm taking it that's a good thing :bounce:

Chaznsc · Apr 13, 2013

BFBOB said:
You'll use it. Even if once every few months, it's worth having around. How about drilling a hole in the center of a rod? Easy as pie on a lathe, not so any other way. And of course you can do wood turning on a metal lathe - not the reverse.
Good find!

It turns so slow, or seems to to me, I did not know you could do wood on it.

Cobra5150 · Apr 13, 2013

Garage5.9 said:
Is it OSHA approved ? haha j.k

I'm not a safety nazi in any way. In fact I don't always put on my helmet before riding the motorcycle, used my grinder without safety glasses and even ran with scissors a couple of times. but DUH-AM!!! That thing scares me.
Cool though.

NUTTSGT · Apr 13, 2013

Chaznsc said:
I'm new so I'm taking it that's a good thing

Yes it's a good thing and can not be self declared. It's a title that can only be given another GJ member.

:beer:

lowbucktruck · Apr 13, 2013

Wow, that lathe is vintage cool! You should try making some chips on it sometime.

SweetD · Apr 13, 2013

Super cool. Nice save!

:beer:

Dave

zkling · Apr 13, 2013

Its a craftsman 109 metal lathe. I had one as my first lathe when I was a kid. It will get you turning and learning the basics, but that is about it. Yours is missing alot of parts.

Looks like someone butchered the power feed, stripped out the gears and installed some sprocket drive of sorts. Clean it up, use it, just don't expect to take any heavy cuts, especially in steel.

For $40 I think you did good. You could easily get your money back if you parted it out. Some folks collect them.

Here is what it looks like complete

http://www.deansphotographica.com/machining/projects/109/rebuild/109b.html

Chaznsc · Apr 13, 2013

Not sure about it being "butchered" but someone did build a pretty cool drive gear reduction system. I have added a bunch of photos of the mechanics of the lathe. There is a red lever for tightening / loosening the main drive belt. Whoever built what it sits on os s far beyond me it's not even funny.

I only bought it to save it from being scrapped or worse. No way I'd ever be able to use it, I'm just not that advanced.

zkling · Apr 13, 2013

Chaznsc said:
Not sure about it being "butchered" but someone did build a pretty cool drive gear reduction system. I have added a bunch of photos of the mechanics of the lathe. There is a red lever for tightening / loosening the main drive belt. Whoever built what it sits on os s far beyond me it's not even funny.

Not nearly as "cool" as the factory gear select knob with interchangeable gears for threading :lol_hitti

Also looks like you are missing the back gear setup, or at least the actuation pin.

Chaznsc said:
I only bought it to save it from being scrapped or worse. No way I'd ever be able to use it, I'm just not that advanced.

Why do you say that? A metal lathe is rather simple to learn. That one is the most basic of metal lathes. Plus with your minimal investment you won't have to worry about making learning mistakes. Go use it, learn, and when the time comes, sell it to upgrade to a larger more capable machine. :beer:

blazemaster83 · Apr 14, 2013

Sweet! For the price and condition, I would keep it for a sanding/polishing lathe. It looks a little rough to be brought back to life with any real accuracy, thanks for sharing!

Old Metal Lathe I found on CL

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