looking for info on a lathe

[farm boy00]

I got a offer to trade a lathe for a snowplow of mine. Total value of my stuff is around $1200-$1400. Am I getting a good deal? ? I have read and saw what you guys have some with lathes. Secondly can you guys give me some info on it. Haven't heard back yet.

I might not be posting this in the right area but you guys have lots of knowledge

 

[farm boy00]

Pictures of it

 

[4570Man]

I would say no. After a quick search on my local Craigslist here is what you can get for $1300 or less.

 

[farm boy00]

I would say no.

Why do you say that

It is powered with 120v

 

[4570Man]

Why do you say that

We need the brand and model number for a conclusive a answer. I think you could buy a nicer used lathe for $1300 or less.

 

[farm boy00]

We need the brand and model number for a conclusive a answer. I think you could buy a nicer used lathe for $1300 or less.

I have asked the guy. I'm assuming he will get them tomorrow along with the finish mower he mention. Only lathes I have seen are $2,000 or so but the problem is they usually are 3ph and 360-460 volts. Only got single phase and up to 220 volts

 

[ultrarunner]

Most of the listing are imports and not the best of quality...

Looks like the one offered is a small Southbend/Logan lathe which is quality for what it is and almost always 120V

Prices on machine tools have fallen a lot... fewer people know how to use them and fewer have a use for them.

That said.. I have a 10" South Bend and a Bridgeport Mill that I have used to make and repair parts for my old cars...

They are probably worth half of what I gave for them 25 years ago...

Next question is what kind of tooling comes with it?

Collets, assorted chucks, tool bit, taper drills can be worth more than the lathe and then comes the calipers, micrometers and such...

 

[4570Man]

Any tooling that comes with it is also an important factor. It appears to have two chucks.

 

[MossRoad]

View attachment 445539

I'd like to know what that tractor behind that lathe is...

 

[ultrarunner]

Ditch Witch I believe...

 

[MossRoad]

For what its worth, this is in the south bend, indiana newspaper today....

2 South Bend lathes, 1 is 3 phase, 1 Atlas lathe. All 9/10 in. $1500 for all. Leave message

You can google the south bend newspaper and find it through there....

 

[MossRoad]

Ditch Witch I believe...

Yep yep yep, I think you're right. I saw the same sized tires and figured it might be articulated.

 

[Winmac]

Lathe is a Logan possibly a 1820, under cabinet drive , actually looks to be in good condition. I had one it's a decent lathe, American made very similar to a southbend.

If it's well tooled and fully functional it could be worth asking but its top dollar price.
Best to have someone knowledgeable check it out for you.

 

[npalen]

The cabinet alone may be worth $1500 with it's built-in underdrive and chip pan. Machine tools are no longer made to this level of quality unless you're willing to spend some bucks. Here is an example:
Shop the South Bend - 10K - 28" Bench Lathe at Grizzly.com Grizzly apparently bought and resurrected the "South Bend" name but I'm sure these are made overseas.
Someone above asked about what extra tooling is with the lathe and that is a very important consideration.

Edit: Buying a lathe and learning to use it correctly are two different tasks. I'm still learning after 50+ years of operating lathes and milling machines. Took a 600-hour machinist course in the military at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD back in the 60's. That really got me interested.

 

[MossRoad]

Just for interesting reading....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Bend_Lathe

 

[Ed of all trades]

Around here you would not get a chance to get that lathe that cheep. Heavy 10 going for $2000. I have been looking but here lathe prices are out of sight. Ed

 

[farm boy00]

Around here you would not get a chance to get that lathe that cheep. Heavy 10 going for $2000. I have been looking but here lathe prices are out of sight. Ed

Around here that's the problem. I did look on Craigslist and found a few off brand little ones with no tools for $700-$1000

 

[farm boy00]

Just got these a minute ago

 

[Rustyferrious]

Duplicate post

 

[Rustyferrious]

I deal in small lathes and other machinery for a living. A lot depends on the condition and tooling. Prices range all over the place - but I rarely pay more than $500 for a lathe like that - in decent condition. You would need to have that machine checked out by a machinist or serious hobbyist to ascertain condition. How much wear is there on the ways? How much backlash in the cross-feed and compound screws? Any broken gear teeth or missing parts? There's a lot to consider. $1300 is high, but I've seen some asking prices of $3500 or more - of course they never sell at that price and it just confuses the marketplace. For comparison, I just picked up a South Bend 9A with a cabinet, taper attachment, steady rest, large dial indicators on the feeds and a crate of tooling/chucks for $750. SB taper attachments alone go for around $300 on eBay. A deal like that does not happen every day, but frequently enough. Prices vary in different parts of the country, supply & demand. Set up a search on CL and get daily emails. Also check on eBay for "local pick up only" (sort for "nearest first") lathes. You can also check pricing if you filter for "sold" lathes near you. important info to have. Good luck.