Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Jan 15, 2005 12:13am | #1

   The lathe sounds fine. In fact I like older ones even better than newer lathes. The heavier the better. Be sure the live and dead centers meet. The pulley is tensioned, etc.

   I'm not sure of your experience; I'd recommend reading Tage Frid or another author about turning before you start.

1. 
   user-498412 | Jan 15, 2005 12:27am | #4

   JACKPLANE,

   The metal label says Sears Roebuck and is labeled Craftsman.  My reading consists of a book by Frank Pain and another by Gordon Stokes-both English.

   Thanks for your comments.

2. 
   JohnWW | Jan 15, 2005 12:13am | #2

   Sef,

   If they aren't badly worn, Oilite bearings are easily as good as ball bearings and they are simple and very cheap to replace if needed.  The Atlas manufactured lathes had especially heavy beds and are very nice tools.

   Looking at a download of the 1941 Craftsman catalog, it appears that the lathe you are describing must have been sold under the Dunlap name since the only Craftsman lathe for that year had ball bearings, I own that model, a very nice machine.  There were several Dunlap branded lathes in 1941, which model do you have?  The smallest of them was fairly lightweight and might be limited in its utility, but it didn't have a metal working rest as an accessory, so you must have one of the larger machines.

   John W.

1. 
   user-498412 | Jan 15, 2005 12:23am | #3

   Hi John W,

   I checked the serial number and nameplate of this lathe.  It has a 101... serial number which indicates that it was made by Atlas from 1939 t0 1941.  It may weigh around 80# or so with the tailstock and rest attached.I have done little with it.  Been doing some reading from some old books by English turner Frank Pain and Gordon Stokes.  If I can use this lathe well, I might be interested in purchasing a used American or English Lathe.   Any comments about the turning tools that I mentioned in e-mail?

   Thanks for your comments

3. 
   ron61 | Jan 15, 2005 03:14am | #5

   You bet its a good Antique  lathe - I assume it is a bench lathe , sounds like good Antique turning tools also.

   Like others told you If it needs bearings you can still get them and easy to replace.

   Mount it on a GOOD HEAVY STABLE Bench rock solid 1725 rpm motor I think is what you want to use -  3/4 hp. would be enough , get a step pulley like  on the lathe for the motor ( 2 or 4 step) same dia.

   Use a few drops of 3 in 1 oil in the oilers each time you use it.

   I have a Craftsman made by Atlas myself ( Craftsman by Atlas were the heavy duty of the Craftsman line)

   I also have a Bench top Atlas wood Lathe . It is even more heavy duty.

   I love those old Lathes

   Check out this link     http://www.lathes.co.uk/ click on History and then look at the Wood Lathe section.

   You can ID your lathe .

   This link has info as well http://www.owwm.com

    Can you post a picture of it I would like to see it.

   It would be nice If Fine WoodWorking would do MORE on Wood Turning and Lathes 

   Ron