Dear Practical Machinists-
Yet another of these posts. “How much is this lathe worth. . .Tell me what to do. . . Make my decision for me. . .” Heh heh yeah right.
Anyway I do have a desire to buy a lathe, and I wanted to get the input of the knowledgeable folks populating the premier site on machining. If flattery won’t buy your help, well- let's hope flattery works. All my web research indicates that this is where serious metal turners hang.
I’m a veteran of other forums by now so one thing I think those that would give advice will really appreciate is a help-seeker that has given some detail and done at least some homework. I may go overboard on the detail, and we'll see if my research passes muster, but first the background:
I’m in Olathe, KS 66061. I'm an A&P mechanic by trade but want a lathe and eventually a mill to fill out my fabrication capabilities. Looking into welders as well, but that’s whole different forum. I am quite mechanically inclined but I just want a hobby lathe to play with, and have never had formal training. I used to use the $500 Chinese lathe at work quite a bit, but left that job and I’m not allowed to use the $30,000 lathe they just bought at my new work. (Dammit.) People keep asking me what I’m going to make, and really, I don’t know. But I see a need for a lathe at least weekly. For example, I drilled out a pulley to make it bigger, didn’t think the keyway would matter. Anyone care to guess what happened? (I learn new things everyday. . .) Now I need a lathe. . . Sure, the new pulley would be $30 instead of new-lathe-price but I shouldn’t have to explain to you guys why I’d like to fix it myself, along with everything else.
I’ve actually been shopping for a while. I started out looking at Chinese lathes, I don’t hate objects simply for being Chinese. I figured the quality would suffice for what I do, turning plastic and soft stuff mostly to “about the right size.” (something that would hold to within a few thousandths would do me, I realize most expect more.) Looked at them all, experienced lathe envy and feature creep until it led me to the Little Machine Shop 8x20 DC drive dealy. (I understand machines that cheap and Chinese are taboo here- forgive me) You basically can’t spend more on a Chinese 8x20, but it has nice features. And lacks others.
Almost pulled the trigger, held back. Previously, I determined to buy a new hybrid tablesaw. Same as here, skulked around forums for advice, same as here, most of my questions had already been answered. (I can use search!) The story was, the wiser-sounding ones advocated skipping the new 120v saw and going for “old ‘arn” and consequently I have a Unisaw that is wonderful and cost 1/3 what I’d have spent on an inferior new hybrid (probably Chinese!) model. It was the right choice, and I thought I’d let that success inform my next purchase.
So I started looking at craigslist, and I found several lathes for sale. I saw a few Chinese mini lathes that basically people want better than 80% of new price for, forget it, I’d get a new one with warranty. Plus, see above.
But there were two others, and now a third to consider. Basically I'm just looking for whatever comments you folks have to offer.
One is a 1928ish South Bend 9 Junior, here is the text of the ad:
“Awesome Lathe. See photo's for Information. Appraiser said it's worth $2000 so $1995 or best offer. We have all the original pieces/tools that go with it. This used to be my Dad's and he kept it in EXCELLENT condition.”
Here is the CL link: Ancient South Bend
I went to see this lathe and seriously, I think Methusela might have turned the first screw on this thing. It has a terrifying overhead drive assembly and is frightfully old, if I didn’t mention that. It had lots of neat-but-ancient tooling and seemed in good shape. Didn't see any alarming marks on the ways. However, I saw too many reports of lathes like this going for $500 or $600 with tools. (admittedly much of what I find posted is over 10 years ago, that might be a factor.) They came way down on price, to $1k, but we didn’t make a deal. I’d have bought it at ¾ of that. There is no QCGB and no power crossfeed. I’d like those features.
The second lathe I went to see was this one:
“This is a 1953 Logan model 936--2 Metal Lathe 11" by 36".It has all its original factory Accessories that came with the lathe when it was new including a turret attachment which was rare. It's also equipped with a drill chuck life center Multiposition tool post with Tooling threading die and a full set of collects. I have completely rebuilt the gearbox the apron and carriage. The compound slide and cross slide have both been hand scraped. It's a Flatbill lathe it's been equipped with a new serpentine belt. This thing is ready to take home and make parts.”
And here is the CL link: Logan with Turret
This one was nice, if well used. The very knowledgeable guy had made repair parts for it that were better than new, a few gears for the QCGB and a few shafts, he showed me the old ones and new ones installed. He had hand scraped the surfaces on the crossfeed parts, it looked and felt great. Dude had a giant 8k lb. shaper in his “extra” tool room, where this for-sale lathe sat. He had more stuff in his "overflow" machine shop area than I will ever own. I feel the thing is old but serviceable, and I feel good about this guy’s level of expertise. He said he just has too much other stuff to continue the restoration of this lathe. As far as I can tell it just needs paint.
And tools, unfortunately. It has a Landis-or-similar small die head that appears to be missing its handle and maybe other parts (the rectangular thing off the side that I see in other die head pics) with 16 tpi teeth and holders marked 3/16 to 3/8. That is mounted in the 6 sided turret attachment, which I doubt I’d use much. Neat though. Otherwise has 3 jaw chuck, 6 inch I'd guess, draw bar and holder for collets and a box of 24 collets. It has 2 of the square tool post, the nice one on the lathe and a crusty but otherwise identical one in the box. Steady and Follow rests, that he cleaned up and painted. Handfull of cutters, not much.
The man was really tolerant of my looking and questions, and again I feel the machine is sound, but what do I know. The bed/ways are beat up under the chuck but the tailstock slid smoothly from one end to the other. Makes me doubt it is hardened. It would probably be good enough for my hobby needs.
Issue is, the price of $1800 or so is too steep I think. I basically don’t want the die head and turret, but I’d hate to pay to just store them, and I’ll likely lose out trying to sell stuff like that. From what I understand the turrets are really a mated part to the machine. The prices on questionable die heads with only one holder/chaser option aren't that spectacular on eBay. The lack of a 4 jaw chuck really hurts my interest.
But ultimately, it’s nice and it’s there. I would ideally trade away that turret or die head for a 4 jaw. Not many other choices unless I just wait and hope something better comes along. Sort of afraid it will, actually, right after I buy this.
*This Just In!* While waiting for approval to post, this lathe turned up on CL:
"This machine is in great working condition, everything works as it should. Newer Dayton motor wired for 110 single phase. Clean and very Tight tolerances."
CL link: Logan 200 with no tools
It's a smaller and less well-featured Logan 200 model for $1250, apparently no tools go with it. I really include this just for market info. I believe it has a much smaller spindle bore and no QCGB. Boo.
On the SB, if I could have gotten it for a song, the first lathe would have kept me busy a long time. It came with many bits and bobs and measuring stuff. But change gears and lack of feeds tarnishes it, along with its. . . well, tarnish.
If I could get the Logan for a few hundred cheaper it would be one badass machine from my perspective, a great starter lathe, realistically probably all I'd ever need, but I looked at 4 jaw chucks around 6” and they are at least $200. As is basically everything else you want.
So the base lathe is the most attractive, I could use it right away, the guy restored the saddle and the QCGB, and the thing runs. It's right at my size limit for portability.
Honestly, I like it, I'd continue the restoration which at this point is mainly paint, and buy tools as I need them.
Basically, I wonder if I would be a fool to trust the condition and quality of this guy's rebuild, or to pay as much as $1800 for this thing with its turret, die head, rests, collets, 2 square toolposts, and a few cutters?
I have more pics but will wait to post them if people want a closer look than the CL ad affords. Thanks for your time.
-Brian
