So I bought a lathe

[scoutdawg]

I was creeping around Craigslist and came upon this lathe that a guy was selling.
I figured it was time to finally get one as I have always wanted one. The deal was too good to pass up on as well so I went and picked it up. Haven't played with it more than a few minutes except to hook everything back up in my shop.
Lemme know what you guys think and what are some cool things to do on here.

Atlas 618 Lathe
3 jaw chuck
2 live centers
steady rest
milling attachment
face plate
chuck key
quick change tool post with 10 holders
stand
pan
flow through coolant system
cords,switches,belts and motor

[scoutdawg]

Here are a couple pics, and also he threw in about 20 cutters and pieces of tooling.





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[BigSki]

It looks just like the Atlas 618/Craftsman 101 that I'm bringing back to life with a Meetup group that I'm working with. So far I like the machine, it's much better built than the MicroMark 7x14 that I used to have.

[C*H*U*D]

I have an old 109 from the 40's.

[Crawling Calvin]

Looks nice! Fellow 618 owner here (new one)

Do take the time to check it over and make sure things like the saddle assembly is properly lubed. What sadly usually happens with these machines is they sit for a LONG time in someones garage and then the grease cakes up and... it isn't pretty stuff

Also double check the spindle assembly and bushings. I will post pics of what mine looked like... it was atrocious This guy has an excellent site on "how to do it" and if your patient it isn't to hard to pull off.

Atlas 618 Spindle Removal

That said take it easy on it and you should be set

[scoutdawg]

I was very lucky with this older machine. This guy had been using it for the last few years in his jewelry making. So at least its been used and maintained. He was actually still using it up until a week ago. I am pretty stoked with it and need to just learn on it. Thx for the comments. What do u use yours for Calvin?

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[Crawling Calvin]

For lubrication I just use some Mobil grease that we use on our MAZAK mills at the shop I work at. It is good stuff but really any general purpose grease can do the trick just nicely

For way lube I just use some Mobil #2 way oil. Not sure if I can ship it without a hazmat sticker but check around at a local machine shop and ask nicely... you maybe able to buy a little lube off them for cheap and it should last you a LONG time! That said just take good care of it and keep it lubed up. Doesn't matter what it is ultimately... as long as it has lube it will last!

is yours with the bearings or bushings? If it is bearing then disregard what i said up there.

[scoutdawg]

I believe its a bearing one because on the front badge it says Timken Bearings

[Crawling Calvin]

Then no need to worry.

Enjoy and stay safe!

[scoutdawg]

Thx Calvin, so what are some of the things you make/do on yours?

[Crawling Calvin]

Right now... nothing! Ill get some pics of it later when I get home

[scoutdawg]

sounds good man

[Crawling Calvin]

On mine the former owner(s) did a number on the spindle


so for you bushing spindle owners make sure to check your bushings and lube properly!

I was able to get the top of my compound ground. the previous owner had milled it but did a terrible job. The compound casting can be a bit fragile so I may remake it in steel but well see.


Ok enough of that here is the little sucker it lives at my job hence the nice big saw in the backround


Mine has a nice reversing motor which is handy but rarely gets used. That said I have a new spindle sitting and some bushings coming from McMaster for it. That said even with the BAD spindle bushings it could still cut stuff so im happy! My goal is to set it up to be a turret lathe so I can crank parts out a LOT faster than by hand.

[scoutdawg]

Looks good man, can you change yours over from bushings to bearings?
I went to the local scrap yard and picked up some aluminum solid pieces to practice on.
I will get a few better pics of mine tomorrow

[Crawling Calvin]

Sadly no. I did get a replacement spindle off Ebay in like brand new condition though. I know someone who is more than happy to re-grind the old one so my thought process is just grind the old one down and save it with some custom bushings as a "just in case" kind of thing. For what im going to do with proper lube I don't see why the bushings shouldn't last a good long time. It is a nice machine it just needed a few add-ons later on if you will

[scoutdawg]

So here are a few more pics. I think I need to clean it up as well as adjust the belts some. Whenever I try n use the auto feed it wants to stop and the belt slides on the pulley. Should I just make it tighter?














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[Crawling Calvin]

First check for binding in the system! That is always #1 to check... then try cleaning the outside of the belt and the pulley with some alcohol and try again. Sometimes what happens is oil flings into the belt and it builds up and then you loose the necessary friction. If all that doesn't work then yes go ahead and up the tension a tad!

Your gears look good which is a perk just be careful since they aren't the strongest but they are still good. If I need to make some I think I will just make them from 7075 aluminum to act as a failsafe

[scoutdawg]

I didn't want to but I am having to raise the tensioning/pulley stand. The lathe was raised up so the controls wouldn't hit the pan it sits in. Well they didn't ever raise anything else which makes the belt hit when you try to move it and increase the speed. I am also having an issue with the trying to use the back gears to slow it down. When I pull the pin on the bull gear the bull gear still is engaged to the pulley instead of freeing it up and letting the back gears engage. So I noticed there is a set screw that is in the bull gear that tightens to the spindle. Should I loosen that up to free it up? Thanks for all the help Calvin

[BigSki]

That set screw is only removed when you are taking apart the spindle to replace the bearings/bushings. The pin is all that is needed to allow the bull gear to 'freewheel' for use of the back gear.

[scoutdawg]

thats what I was thinking, so why will mine not free up I wonder?
Thanks Big