CLEANING & DERUSTING ATLAS 618 LATHE

[@davidt8438]

My compliments on your using a brass brush to clean the lead screw as opposed to a steel wire brush. Too many people fail to realize how abrasive a steel wire brush can be. While very expensive in larger sizes, a solid brass brush is a worthwhile investment if you refurbish anything machinery related. It cleans while retaining the crisp edges and details in steel parts.

[@mrpete222]

Very, very well put I hope that many people read your comment

[@erik_dk842]

If you can buy an actual brass brush and not just a brass colored plated steel brush

[@davidt8438]

@@erik_dk842 Yea Eric, some places advertise brass when actually they are brass coated which you can easily catch with a magnet. I have small 2” and 3” solid brass and I have a solid 6” solid brass which I have on one of my bench grinders so yes you can get them but be ready to spend $60 to $80 bucks for the bigger ones.

[@stephenranti173]

Really enjoying this series!

[@jrkorman]

@@erik_dk842 I was just about to use a "brass" brush out in the show when I noticed that it was sticking to the magnetic "wand" I use to fetch stuff from where it falls.

[@hbracerx]

I did not know about the breakaway bearing. Thank you for the scolding tone regarding wrapping the emery cloth around your fingers. It's rare to hear you use that tone, but that was an absolutely appropriate time. This is a lesson you don't want someone to forget. It is MUCH too important to take lightly.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you for that. I did not realize I was scolding. But if that emphasizes a point, maybe I’ll do it more often.

[@Pafvesper]

😊 great idea on using string to clean the lead screw!

[@stime6472]

You Sir are a grounding voice in this crazy world. Thank You!

[@mrpete222]

Well, then, I think I’ll move to Washington

[@stime6472]

@@mrpete222 You have my vote!

[@Ervan-l9v]

Always satisfying to see an old machine brought back to life.

[@warrenlee3113]

Thanks for the video Mr Pete. I never knew about cleaning the threads with string.

[@sammccollum2985]

I never would've thought of the bearing being a breakaway part. The trick with the string was great. I'll remember that next time I need to clean a piece of threaded rod.

[@NoyAtkinson]

When you clean like this you really learn how things work later on faults are easy to diagnose

[@davidgagnon2849]

I did NOT know that about the lead screw bearing, so THANK YOU! Mine has been replaced with a shop made steel one. Maybe I should look for a correct replacement.

[@davidcummins1776]

Not sure how to leave a smiley face but can say how much I enjoy your videos keep up the good work

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much!

[@dale1956ties]

The string trick was a stroke of genius. I would only add that if your lead screw was in worse shape, one might use some automotive polishing compound or other fine abrasive paste on the string to really get after any rust between the threads. Thank you Mr. Pete. I very much enjoy watching your videos. They send me back to when the world was in a kinder gentler time.

[@mrpete222]

I assume you meant four years ago

[@dale1956ties]

@@mrpete222 LOL.🤣 Nope. Add a zero and then some.

[@ellieprice363]

Good idea. A little fine Clover valve grinding compound on the string should do the trick. Important: don’t forget to thoroughly clean the threads after using the compound.

[@christurley391]

Thanks again

[@hobbiesrus]

I appreciate these videos as I have a 618 myself

[@RobertMcCutcheon-o2m]

Always like watching you save these old machines.

[@bluetoad2001]

the dirtiest tailstock and carriage i’ve seen today, absolutely filthy.thanks for posting Mr. Pete

[@markthomas5316]

Absolutely Love the string trick. I always learn something new at 63, Thanks for the lessons 👍

[@leeroyholloway4277]

All members of the Machine Preservation Guild give a hearty thumbs up.👍

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍👍

[@SweetTooth8989]

Loving these episodes on refurbishing this Atlas lathe Mr. Pete!

[@vicdreyer6413]

I’m glad you’re cleaning her up. The lathe is the king of machines. 😊

[@hughobrien4139]

These videos sure have a way of making me feel younger at heart. Thank you Mr.Pete!

[@mrpete222]

Glad you like them!

[@kevinkoepke8311]

While rebuilding my first atlas, I was amazed at how bright the screws and bolts got by cleaning them lightly with my wire wheel. I gave that lathe to my dad, and 30 years later, they still look bright. Thanks, Mr Pete!

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@davedunn4285]

very informative ideas Lyle i have learnt a few tips from watching your videos my friend

[@mrpete222]

Glad to hear it

[@paullatour7012]

Just burning through that twine! What a great way to clean the screw threads. I’m off to find some twine.

[@frankpresley494]

Thank you for another informative video. I saw some techniques that were new to me.

[@fjLh50go2wxP]

Thanks for rolling your sleeves up and getting after this lathe. It was looking kind of hopeless but now it’s looking like there might be a useful machine to be had. An adventure of sorts!

[@mrpete222]

😁👍

[@dubberkm7200]

What a transformation. Looking good, so glad to see a machine being cleaned up

[@simonsmith8610]

Thanks Mr. Pete really liked the twine trick!!!

[@steveforbes7718]

That string trick is something of which I would never have thought! That is the bee's knees for sure! This is an excellent series. I am enjoying it and waiting for the next episode. Thank you for your hard work!

[@HamWithCam]

Excellent video! I have a 618 and am picking up some great tips! I'm looking forward to more on the 618!

[@mrpete222]

More to come!

[@sloprun]

Thank you for all the ideas and solutions for cleaning your lathe. It is a pleasure seeing well crafted machinery restored.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much!

[@plainnpretty]

Nice trick with the string didn’t look anymore dangerous than running a table saw . Clever work holding tricks your knowledge is amazing. Thanks Mr. Pete

[@mrpete222]

Yes, but what you did not say, is that running a tablesaw is incredibly dangerous, lol.

[@plainnpretty]

@@mrpete222 yes it’s you need to pay attention to what you are doing. The same as working over a running lathe. Thanks Mr. Pete

[@vince55sanders]

i fashioned a plywood cradle that relies on large hose clamps to hold my smelly old variable speed DeWalt 1/2 inch drill and its original actual Jacobs chuck. For my tail stock a wood block is fitted with a long bolt sharpened to a center point. my poor quality chisel set ground to various shapes and a scrap wood tool rest are all i needed to get started making wood knobs for various restoration projects. I am addicted now.

[@mrpete222]

Awesome and creative

[@brianatbtacprod1989]

Great work. I'm glad you chose to clean it up. Sure it's a pain, but when it's done, you can be proud of you effort, and someday someone else who may not know as much about cleaning it will be able to use it it right away.

[@daveharriman2756]

Always love these restoration videos of yours.the lathe is in remarkable good condition for it's age, and time to get more twine Mr. Pete, that'll be running out before you know it!

[@ralphmilner3347]

Your videos are always interesting and helpful. Thank you.

[@markuswx1322]

Some might say you’ve spoken the last word on the Atlas 6” lathe but I say not. It represents just about the minimum for a home shop and there are scads of them out there, a tribute to their utility. I can see why there’s less interest around the Unimat except perhaps for model builders with space limitations. Rock on.

[@michaelleduc219]

Nice to see progress being made. That little lathe looks to be a well made machine.

[@stephencrosland6801]

I really enjoy watching your videos!

[@robindeputy]

I like the twine cleaning method on the lead screw. I may need to try that on mine someday

[@bugkiller5293]

glad to see this old lathe being saved. I have an 12" Craftsman from the early 30'. I am upgrading the cross slide to a power feed.

[@hobbiesrus]

Those were some really good tips on cleaning an Atlas 618. The twine was ingenious!

[@SteveFrielink-f9b]

Pure gold! Learning a lot of things I never knew about my own Craftsman lathe!

[@mrpete222]

😁😁

[@SteveFrielink-f9b]

@@mrpete222 Not sure if you can address this, but on my lathe, and I can see on your lathe as well, the cross-slide indicator (if I am naming it correctly), is held down by a set screw and is therefore not adjustable. So as far as I can tell, you can't turn down to a specific dimension and zero out the indicator for subsequent cuts. I removed the set screw and replaced it with a thumb screw so I could re-calibrate the indicator at any time, but not sure if I am doing this the correct way. Otherwise I need to invest in a new calculator... :)

[@r07633]

I like the occasional humor. Thanks for another interesting series.

[@mrpete222]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johncloar1692]

Thanks Mr. Pete as always a great video to watch. The old lathe is looking better. Watching old equipment get restored is always a good video. Thanks again.

[@MrEFHATCH1990]

I like the cleaning the thread with a string trick!

[@kennethomeara9848]

Your tips are great! Thank you for the video.

[@100yojimbo]

The Atlas lathe is cleaning up really well and looking amazing. Excellent work Mrpete 👍👍👍👍

[@edwardholland36]

Enjoying this series very much. I hope the twine holds out until it is finished. 🙂

[@ChrisBosch-vd1iq]

Thanks !!!

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Looking better all the time. Thanks for the video keep on keeping on.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks 👍

[@rudythompson5359]

when you do the carriage be sure to discuss backlash and ways to reduce it. thanks I like your shows , they have been a great help

[@Radiotexas]

Nice work Mr. Pete! If I could do nothing else in my shop I would restore machines. I just love doing it. Thanks!

[@mrpete222]

You and me both!

[@peterprofeta6317]

This right here with people like you and the other like minded machinist community is my happy place

[@mrpete222]

😁😁😁

[@JuddStiff]

Loved the idea of using string to clean out the threads on the lead screw!

[@richardbrobeck2384]

This is the perfect sized lathe for a home shop !

[@walterplummer3808]

Good morning! Really liked the twine trick. Thanks for the videos.

[@fredglidden8942]

Nice work! I've cleaned up a lot of things, it's hard work.

[@feathers352]

Always a pleasure to see you working in your mutiple studios :).

[@mrpete222]

More to come!

[@richardrogers567]

Mr. Pete, thanks for all your videos. They do inspire us to get out ion the shop. Keep on keeping on!

[@mowermanone1621]

I watched the whole video Mr. Pete and it was excellent. Thank you for your work.

[@frankdoner8402]

Fine job Mr Pete 😊. Clever trick with the twine.

[@kennyk6345]

I'm loving this restoration/cleaning. Keep up the great videos!

[@scottjones7279]

Using string to clean the lead screw is brilliant

[@cbabb100]

That’s going to be a nice little lathe! Great video also!

[@gardener123ful]

Nice clean up job!!!!! Will turn into a valuable jewel in your shop !!!!!

[@davewilson9924]

Mr. Peterson, regarding the very rusty chuck that you are thinking of scrapping. Here's my solution and method, after you get the red rust off, (I use electrolysis) (ferric) and it turns to the black, (ferrous rust) or in some cases magnetite go to the hardware store and get a gallon of pool acid, (HCl, hydrochloric or muriatic) which is already fairly diluted. Dilute it further at 50%, I use 1 pint acid, 1 pint water, (acid to water, not vice versa!) You could certainly dilute further. Put a wire in the chuck and drop in the dilute acid. (Wear rubber gloves, face mask, apron, all the standard safety stuff, you know this, of course). Got to be careful at this point, 2-3 minutes at most, watch it very closely. Rinse very well. Works like a charm, the black is all gone! Even the stain, usually. The part comes out a dull iron grey. I then use a fine steel brush, or steel wool, drop in oil so the oil gets in every crook and cranny, and you're ready to go! I learnt this at an old engine show about 5 years ago.

[@leybraith3561]

Smiling every time you post.... :)

[@mrpete222]

😁😁

[@richardbrobeck2384]

The Leed screw really turned out very nice Mr. Pete !!

[@jkyontz]

It’s looking good, like an Atlas Lathe should.

[@Happymacer_P]

My little Chinese lathe seems to share a number of your lathes components! Nice to see it being restored too

[@stevedavey1343]

That twine thing is genius, Mr Pete👍

[@anthonyzabukovec313]

I have a 1950 Atlas QC54 lathe. I cleaned the lead screw with a wire brush and a thread file to clean deep and fix the minor chips on the thread. Keep up the great content, Lyle. I have no problems being informed about new videos from you. Thank you for all that you do!

[@RoyJDew]

Love your videos. Great communicator and your years of experience and your wisdom shine! Thank you so much...

[@mrpete222]

Wow, thank you!

[@rocquemotta]

Very nice job cleanning the lead screw, had the same problem years ago.

[@campground2]

Nothing like learning little tips and trips from a teacher with so much wisdom and life experience. Watching your videos reminds me of all the things I picked up from my now departed dad over the years, mostly without realizing it.

[@mrpete222]

Great to hear!

[@pdxRetired]

That lead screw cleaned up nicely. Good trick to remember, using the string. You could also soak the string in penetrating oil. This would work on other threads that need cleaning. I am betting that the 3-jaw chuck will cleanup adequately. This lathe will be a good beginner's lathe when you are done.

[@siarheiluzhynski3586]

Excellent Job ! Lots of good tips for beginners like me !

[@mrpete222]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonfranklin4583]

The string is a great tip, if your lead screw didn't have hardened junk in it you could do that with the lead screw in place, if you followed your safety instructions, by running the apron to one end, doing that half then the other. Thanks Mr. Pete!

[@mrpete222]

That is exactly how I used to do it while it was still mounted on the machine

[@johnmccrane1660]

The string idea is great.

[@paulhunt598]

This is fun. I am currently in the same stage of going through my new-to-me Elliott MS 30/2500, 15", OMNI SPEED, engine lathe that I purchased last week. I got stalled when the 3 HP machine turned out to be 6 HP. My current 3 phase converter was inadequate to operate the larger motor. So... I am now building a larger unit. I purchased the key components yesterday, including a 15HP motor. Everything I do involves more projects! I cannot decide if I like restoring and repairing or running my resurrected machinery. Both are equally satisfying. I am a complete novice to Elliott. I like most of what I am discovering. It is well built. I am unfamiliar with this vintage industrial machines that don't use a constant running spindle motor and headstock engagement clutches. This uses an OEM specific drum switch operated by traditional apron and headstock levers to start, stop, and reverse the motor/spindle. It seems rugged enough, but that puts a lot of starts per hour on the motor. It will make a good midsized hobby shop machine with features common to the 1980's. Much of its industrial life was turning off armature windings in a motor repair shop, pretty light use. I am removing years of copper motor winding debris. They must have run it dry, as there us no evidence of coolant debris, and for their application, coolant was unwarranted. The coolant pump and pump sump is missing. The controls, chip drawer, back splash and wiring are intact. I don't think my hobby needs demand maintaing a coolant sump, and I don't heat this shop. I would have to winterize my sump. I rely on cutting oil and spray mist coolant when required. Your lathe rebuild looks like a lot of fun. I know that my project is. Are there other Elliott folk out there? Most of my experience with similar class machines is Clausing Colchester, LeBlond, and Mazak. Our shop had a Mazak Mate, licensed by Mazak. It is identical to the machine on Inheritance Machinne, but with Mazak badging. Probably sourced from Taiwan, but a beautiful machine to operate. I got out bid on the Mate by the daily user when our shop downsized the model shop. It had quirky "third world" wiring but was otherwise a class machine.

[@mrpete222]

👍😁 never heard of an Elliot

[@paulhunt598]

@mrpete222 Made in England. Gap bed, MT4 tailstock. About 36" between centers. The MS version is their production level machine. MT version are their precision/tool room level. I read that they may be the same machine, but if it tests to tool room standards, it got up classed. Hardened ways. I finished rebuilding the tool holder, compound and cross slide today. This got me pretty intimate with how they built this girl. I couldn't remove all of cross slide backlash. The lead screw is worn on one end. I will get it running, and then decide if it warrants screw/nut improvements.

[@BenButler1]

Great series Mr Pete! Thanks for the info.

[@alanremington8500]

Nice one !!

[@mrpete222]

Thanks ✌️

[@laurentruesdale4088]

Enjoying the series.

[@qzwqsy]

Tubalcain, Thank you for your great videos.

[@TheKomunyaka]

I'm looking forward to the rest of your amazingly smart job done

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@edl5074]

Its nice to know your videos are being sent to me again . Great work !!!

[@mrpete222]

😁😁

[@commenter4515]

I love this video series. Please don't stop!

[@mrpete222]

There was about four or five more of these already in the can

[@johnoconnor5581]

Thanks Mr Pete, received this in my recommended video list and will be watching it before my after nap as is my custom. Not that your videos put me to sleep. John O from San Antonio

[@mrpete222]

I think my videos put a lot of people to sleep. I was a master at putting an entire class of 24 students to sleep. Especially after they had a big lunch and smoked a few joints.

[@jimfiles3307]

Good afternoon Lyle, Excellent video and that lead screw came out nice. While restoring my 12” I took a section of 3/4” pvc and glued a cap on the end, then inserted the lead screw and poured in kerosene. I let it soak for about 3 days, then used a brass brush to remove any crud. This also worked well for storing the lead screw while doing the restoration work. No damage to it. Your videos are populating on my You Tube and I am going back and watching older videos and leaving some comments. Have a great weekend my friend. I agree with another comment above, life was better 4 years ago.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@williamellis3961]

Old shop teachers are the best.

[@mrpete222]

What about old English teachers?

[@1208bug]

It's good to see the Atlas get a tune-up!

[@haroldadelman1130]

Thanks for the safety tips!

[@ronaldkunicki7988]

Very helpful. Please more like this.

[@BradKaboord]

I know the feeling.. One has 100 yards of thread and you still do not want to waste few inches. Thanks Lyle.

[@mrpete222]

Yes, why is that?

[@Randysshop]

The lathe is looking good Mr Pete. Before you know it you will have a very usable lathe.

[@clintthompson6754]

Thanks for the video Mr Pete. The little lathe is coming along great!

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Nice work as always Mr Pete

[@howardosborne8647]

It is looking good,Lyle. That 'fusible' leadscrew bracket is an interesting alternative to the usual shear pin. Cleaning out the thread roots with string or yarn is a great tip👌

[@tomcor2]

thanks for doing this series, as i'm about to clean and re-do the identical little machine. long time fan

[@mrpete222]

Lots more videos coming on this little machine. Seven or eight already in the can.

[@rjsenn4142]

Nice work Mr. Pete!