Worth fixing up an old lathe?

[ShawnR]

I am with the others here....exciting just to see it. Looks like a great project. I have done both and failed at the fix up one. I found an old lathe (Clausing 103, iirc) due to a wanted ad. I went to see it and found the carriage moved near the chuck but not near the middle to tail end. It was really dirty and I assumed it was just dirt. After hauling it home, and cleaning it up, I eventually found out the ways were worn about 12 thou near the chuck. Not feasible for me to have fixed so I ended up sellling it at a loss.

I have bought 2 new ones and very happy making stuff with them. But as a project, I would easily grab another old one to fix up and learn more. Since it is yours for the picking, and, AND! if you like working on stuff, then it looks great. The group here will be very supportive if you throw them photos now and then....

 

[Hadestouch]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement! It might have to become this winters project. What are your best guesses at the decade it was born in?

 

[Tomc938]

Go for it! Nothing to loose, everything (well, a working lathe) to gain!

 

[Brent H]

I would say it is in the 30's early 40's given the drive is. I would not wait long to wipe its arse though....seems to be dropping gears into that pampers box.....

 

[thriller007]

what did you end up doing with the lathe?