Metal Lathe (again)

I have come across a Clausing/Colechester 13 inch gear driven lathe from a trade school. It has some damage to the cross slide as would likely to be found on a machine from a trainiing facility. There appears to be only wear in the brass nuts in the cross slide and tool feed. It comes with a large 3 jaw chuck, small face plate and a follower rest.

No tooling or tool post included or even a dead or live center for the number 3 Morse Taper tail stock. It does have a manual push button oiler for the ways. (which seem to have NO wear at all).
Asking price is $2200.

The question: Take it or leave it. Please give your reason why either way.

Thank you for your input.

I talked with a gentleman last night and he has a 15x36 turret lathe for $300. I am not very familiar with a turret lathe. My understanding is that they are not usable like a regular lathe. They are set up for production work. I am also under the impression they do not have a compound rest and that can create tooling problems in the event I need to thread.

Your thoughts Please.

BUT

I have been looking for one for about 10 years now. For $2200, you can get a great lathe any day of the week. My opinion, probably a decent deal, but not a steal (hmmm, I sound like a used car salesman, don't I?!!!).

As for 3 phase, making a rudimentary rotary converter is pretty easy, but you should be able to find a 3/4 to 3 HP used 3ph motor for FREE. I got a 2HP just this week. Come to Chattanooga, I'll give it to you, what comes around, goes around. By the way, it being 3ph is a GREAT price modifier, should help you get the price down $500 to $1000. Don't let him know you can convert.

Anyway, if you are in a hurry to get a lathe, a Clausing is a good lathe. If you wait for the deal of a lifetime, you may still be looking 10 years later, LIKE ME! My dad found a nice Clausing for $350! By the way, he wants a new one, DON'T ASK ME WHY. Guess he's just not happy he didn't spend a few grand...

Appears I'm about even on the pros and cons, uh, sorry! If I was you, I'd offer a "you just couldn't live with yourself if you didn't buy it for yeah so much" price and walk if he doesn't conform. Uh, make sure he has your phone number, though! Figure in the 3ph thing, repairing damage, buying all the stuff that usually comes with a lathe but this one doesn't, and 10% more since you're not a pro and are taking a risk. Explain that to him, heck, type it up and present it formally, that's worked for me more than once, and stand your ground!

Have fun, let us know!

Tools

Now you see where I am coming from. I too, think that the price is a bit high but not out of line considering the overall condition of the lathe.

I do know how to opeate a lathe. That isn't the problem. The lathes I used were either in some ones shop or in a college class and I had no questions concerning the lathe. Now that I am looking for one, questions are all I have.

So far every one has made good points both for and against buying. But we have to remember..there ain't many lathes in my neck of the woods. Except for the ones found in the 3 machine shops we have here, I bet there isn't 5-6 lathes in the rest of the county.

ONE THING I AM AWARE OF IS THE FACT THE LATHE WAS NOT USED FOR PRODUCTION WORK. Production work will put a lot of wear in a relative small area and induce errors in finished work.

I held the cross slide in place and "eye-balled" the back lash. It appears to ber about .008 or so. The tool feed dial says about .022 and that seems a bit much to me. But again, "I ain't no machinist." I wonder what the accepted limit would be on a useable machine?

But the ways sure do look nice. no scratches of scars from having a chuck dropped on them or anything.

If you can't tell, I am trying to talk myself into this machine. I am trying to get others to talk me out of it using personal experience and good solid knowledge.

You'll need to assess how much you'll miss the missing tooling, and those things you must have (i.e. tool post). You can use that as both an indicator of your total cost to have the lathe operating, and also leverage in dickering the price down. If you go with an old lantern type tool post you may be able to find a used one at a reasonable price. If you want to go first class, i.e. with an Aloris or even a Phase II quick change, figure around $500 or better for just the tool post and basic set of holders!

If you can get to know some local machinists in the machine shops, you may be able to pick up good serviceable used accessories at very reasonable prices. (Got a good heavy duty boring bar tool post given to me! This guy had upgraded to much better and quicker change over type tooling) At least a good friendly machinist can advise you what to go for, and what to avoid! Believe me, some of the experience you'll get with lathes and milling machines will be expensive! If you have a friendly machinist who will take the time to talk and instruct - LISTEN! You'll not likely live long enough to learn all the good stuff.

PA dutch say'in - "Too soon old, and too late smart".

WW

WW

It is 3 phase.

I have talked to several people and they tell me building a rotary phase converter ain't no big deal. 3 phase used motor of about 2-4 horse is going to cost about $30-45. Single phase motor is going to be $200.

I just read an ad for a lathe in the next state for $1500. 17" X 84". Sounds rather huge to me.

I think getting some one to go with me will be a good idea BUT, try asking some one to give up a day to make a run and look at something for you might be like asking for blood.

I may be totaly wrong on this but are not the brass nuts replacable?

The nut that feeds the crossslide will more than likely adjustable for wear. it is less likely but possable that the compound rest feed nut is adjustable for wear. most of the older (read that quality)laths had gib wedges to take up play on the slides. if you see what looks like a broad head screw at each end of a slide its probably holding a gib wedge. Lindsay publishing is a good source for lath info. lindsaybks.com i think. or just do a google search. if you have a half way working lath, you can make just about any part for it needed.