Atlas Craftsman Lathe Restoration Revival Part 1

[@dennisemme2456]

Check with Atlas/Causing. Have gotten replacement lead screw, cross feed screw, their matching bushings, half nuts directly from them.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks!

[@HughButlerTallahassee]

Thanks for this video. I just picked up a 101.07403 which is almost identical but no quick change. It's a pleasure to work on a quality item that wasn't subject to planned obsolescence. Plus, it was apparently well oiled because even though it looked like sh*t nothing is rusted or seized up. Looking forward to part 2 whenever you get to it, maybe I will have caught up to you lol.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks for the support! I'm editing part 3 now.

[@direwolf4874]

Lets Goooo!

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@jerrypeal653]

I have the 12” commercial version with the metal base . They actually function well . I have a 3 phase motor and converter so speeds hasn’t been an issue for me and surface finish is good .the issue most talk about is speed for threading is to fast my converter took care of that problem.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Cool! Maybe I will do a motor swap sometime in the future. Yes, the carriage feed is a little fast for a nice surface finish.

[@djverb1200]

I’am not a machinist, just a farmer, but love lathes and building things on them. The largest a Monarch 24 in swing x 18 ft, and the smallest a mint condition Atlas Craftsman 6 x 12 ??, from my uncle who bought it new, plus some in between that are used more often.

[@MakeStuffNation]

That's awesome! Thanks for supporting the channel

[@greatodinsraven]

Have you heard if using Boeshield T-9 for lubricating and protecting your ways and other lathe parts? A machinist told me is the way to do it so dust and other stuff don’t stick to the oil like way oil.

[@MakeStuffNation]

I have not heard of it. Thank you. Excellent suggestion.

[@davidgagnon2849]

Thank you for doing this series. I just bought my first real lathe, an Atlas QC-42 which is a 10" lathe. It has the quick change gears like yours does. Original motor is trying to start, and I believe the capacitor is bad on it. It came with the original cast iron stand and the two wooden shelves. All of the handles on the controls on the cross-slide vise are broken (Zamak?) and a few gears need replacing. I hope I'm able to find the parts, either used or reproduction. Or else I'll have to sell the parts off of it.

[@MakeStuffNation]

I was able to find most of the parts I need on eBay. Sometimes they are listed under the wrong part number so you have to be careful.

[@davidgagnon2849]

Thank you!

[@johnmichaelbayers]

Looking forward to part 2

[@MakeStuffNation]

Posting soon

[@everettjiles4464]

did you add a ground wire to your motor?

[@MakeStuffNation]

Yes, I added a ground wire to the motor, the switch, and also grounded the lathe itself.

[@stockportbrits]

Great video, you got the lighting and camera angles well sorted, something that is a problem with KZbin videos. I have just acquired the same 12" Sears-Atlas lathe, complete with both fixed and traveling steady's and a milling attachment. Your video's will be most helpful a I start the restoration process....cheers Mike One suggestion, center punch the end of the gib strips and slide casting to keep the original orientation on reassembly

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks! Project is sidelined a little bit for the moment as I'm trying to get my wooden sailboat ready for that wooden boat show next month and also working on some spring cleaning. Should be back working on the restoration in a few weeks though.

[@mtpocketbuilds4286]

can the lead screw be hardened or are they ?

[@MakeStuffNation]

I don't believe they are. The half nuts are definitely not hardened since they seem to be soft aluminum or similar alloy. I can't imagine the lead screw wearing that much if the screw was hardened.

[@felixvillalobos9070]

Hola donde puedo comprar piezas de repuesto para un torno igual

[@MakeStuffNation]

Encuentro la mayoría de las piezas en eBay. También puedes probar www.mymachineshop.net/

[@kendion4597]

U can turn lots of hard metal on that lathe. They are very capable machines.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Awesome!

[@herbholmberg4474]

You probably already know it, but the chuck is at least a third larger in diameter than that machine was ever designed for. If it has not already damaged the spindle bearings, it will if you continue using it. But again, I suspect you already know that.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thank you! I did not know that. I have two smaller chucks that I intend to use with the lathe. Luckily the bearings were in good condition when I got to that point in the restoration. Not sure why they had such a huge chuck on it.

[@herbholmberg4474]

@MakeStuffNation WOW, then I am glad I shared that with you. I have a twin to your machine with all the original Atlas tooling it came with. If you want, I can get measurements off my chucks if that would help. The 4 jaw original is a significantly larger diameter than the 3 jaw these machines were originally equipped with. I suspect that chuck likely came on something like a Southbend heavy 10" When you are ready to use it, get a quick change tool post for it, you will be glad you did. Unless you are wealthy and can afford the best, Aloris, or Dorian, Look at Phase II brand. Import and half the cost of the good brands. Also, if $ is tight the next decision you will have is piston type post, or wedge. Wedge is better, but costs more for guys with shallow pockets like me. I had to settle for the cheaper piston, but have never been disappointed with the piston. Next decision is size of post. Ideally an AXA would be the first choice. I opted for a BXA post, which absolutely looks a bit large on the machine, but in use works just fine with no issues I have noticed. I chose the BXA specifically for one reason only. I can use a scissors type knurling attachment from the tool holder. AXA posts you cannot do that with as unless you build one, you cannot buy a scissor type knurling attachment to fit an AXA tool holder. Don't use a pressure type knurling tool holder on an Atlas machine. If you do, don't do it very often, or you will destroy the brass nut on the cross slide. Atlas made them that way for use with a lantern type pressure knurler, but simply put, those machines are not heavy enough to do much knurling on with that kind of holder without damaging that nut. Pressure type knurling tool are fine for heavier machines like South Bend, Logan, Etc. Just NOT Atlas.

[@123bugness]

I love the video! Just one minor complaint for me.. and this goes for 99% of videos. Autofocus is the devil. It's stupid and should never be used for anything closer than 6 feet. lol just my 2 cents.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks for the support!

[@andrewgoforth6891]

Little saddened at the fact you spent all that time and used single part spray paints on this instead of epoxy paints that’ll hold up and last 50x longer. Looks awesome though and you’re making me want to pick one up as a project

[@MakeStuffNation]

Great point! Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@pmtrecot2292]

BET GRINDING MANUVEL ADACHMEND

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks for supporting the channel!