1947 Atlas lathe $2000 Langford

[mickeyf]

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Poor photos, but it looks like it has a turret attachment for the tailstock and maybe a collet closer and milling attachment?

 

[trevj]

I saw a blurry pic of a milling attachment. Collet closer (any idea what collets?), and a tailstock turret tool that fits the Morse taper of the tailstock (we hope).

I have known a couple guys with a 10 inch Atlas lathe. All got rid of them as fast as they could find ANY replacement! One guy described his as "Chatter like the women at the Hairdresser" Not the most stellar endorsement!

 

[SightlessSeer]

I saw a blurry pic of a milling attachment. Collet closer (any idea what collets?), and a tailstock turret tool that fits the Morse taper of the tailstock (we hope).

Atlas made a lever operated turret tailstock. I think it was basically a replacement quill in the standard tailstock casting. I think that's probably what that turret is, not an MT turret.

I have known a couple guys with a 10 inch Atlas lathe. All got rid of them as fast as they could find ANY replacement! One guy described his as "Chatter like the women at the Hairdresser" Not the most stellar endorsement!

IMO that's an expectations issue. The Atlas was an inexpensive lathe in its day and you have to remember that. I've got an Atlas 10F from about 1946 (54" bed and Timkin bearing spindle, but no qcgb) and it consistently does good work for me, but if you're expecting a South Bend 10 heavy and buy an Atlas you'll be disappointed.

I paid $600 for my Atlas and have easily gotten that much use out of it. Would I like to upgrade it? Yes, but it has done everything that I have ever asked of it so I'm holding out for the right lathe, at the right price, at the right distance from me. The largest job that I've done on it so far was to turn down a 34" long shaft from 2 1/4" diameter to 2" to make an overarm for my mill and it got the job done. An Atlas in good condition is a good lathe. It's just also a lathe with limitations.

 

[trevj]

I'll heartily agree with your assessment that it has limitations! Based on the experiences of friends who had them, and were very unhappy with them, I would say that the limitations make those particular machine tools, a VERY low priority, if one is shopping for a lathe.

 

[trevj]

Atlas made a lever operated turret tailstock. I think it was basically a replacement quill in the standard tailstock casting. I think that's probably what that turret is, not an MT turret.



IMO that's an expectations issue. The Atlas was an inexpensive lathe in its day and you have to remember that. I've got an Atlas 10F from about 1946 (54" bed and Timkin bearing spindle, but no qcgb) and it consistently does good work for me, but if you're expecting a South Bend 10 heavy and buy an Atlas you'll be disappointed.

I paid $600 for my Atlas and have easily gotten that much use out of it. Would I like to upgrade it? Yes, but it has done everything that I have ever asked of it so I'm holding out for the right lathe, at the right price, at the right distance from me. The largest job that I've done on it so far was to turn down a 34" long shaft from 2 1/4" diameter to 2" to make an overarm for my mill and it got the job done. An Atlas in good condition is a good lathe. It's just also a lathe with limitations.

Late reply, but... I do remember that! But if it is being offered at a price, now, that can buy a much more capable machine, even if in comparable condition, I will always take the other machine!