SHOP TIPS

[@johnbrookbank2969]

Love it , adjustable wrench was off limits in many of my years of teaching ! the fact you said hundreds of those here, is truth rather than false ! Thanks for truth in all your work !

[@MrJp318]

+John Brookbank When I was growing up, the adjustable wrench was ok to use, it was the dreaded channel locks that my dad would get mad at me for. My poor nuts on the back axle of my bike were fuzzy from channel locks.

[@johnbrookbank2969]

I love the past mistakes i made= with even, as you have stated channel locks used ! My bike had same marks from early years= Sure found out in time what not to do ! My dad being a wood worker, he was upset that i was more into metal than Wood , but he made it very clear to do it the best or don't try !

[@mrpete222]

+John Brookbank Thanks!!

[@TinkeringJohn]

I was a little disappointed when you said you weren't going to pull out the feed screw because I wanted to see the power feed gear. Thanks for changing your mind. If you have something torn down, you might as well go all the way so you can check for any possible problems and to clean and re-lube everything. You said in another video that you love to look at the exploded views of things. You're a man of my own heart Mr. Pete! In high school drafting class, I did one of a carburetor from a small Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine. Drawing the main body of it was quite a challenge.

[@davidgagnon2849]

Thank you Mr. Pete for all of these videos. You are an excellent teacher and a wealth of information. I've just bought two Atlas lathes. One that had been neglected and kept in a barn and one that had been used for many years then sat for many, but inside a home shop, protected from the elements. I don't know which is worse or harder to clean up; the rust or the accumulation of 80 years of grime. 🙂

[@mrpete222]

I would think the rust would be the most difficult. Good luck with those new machines.

[@dougbourdo2589]

Thank you for this Atlas series. As a beginner (near retirement from primary income producing profession) I picked up an Atlas 10" for intended avoidance of my wife's hair.... and these re great information. I will be getting the entire Tips series soon.

[@mrpete222]

+Doug Bourdo Good gor you-you will like that Atlas. Watch for several more atlas vids

[@airsevenheatingcoolingllc5988]

I have been watching and enjoying your videos on the Craftsman/Atlas lathe. Your comment about the casting number on the bed possibly reflecting the date may be correct. I just looked at my lathe and it has a number of 942. My grandfather bought it right after WW2 and he always said that it sat in storage for the war effort until they sold them all off. I have had it for 30 years bought have never really known how to use it properly. I think it's in good shape but does have some minor surface rust. I'm going to get it cleaned up and begin using it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! My lathe is a 101.07383.

[@mrpete222]

Sounds like a great machine. Get it fired up.

[@jittychitty]

Make sure to watch his whole videos to get all sorts of small, handy tips and questions answered. Thanks sir, for the vids. Have a great day.

[@mrpete222]

+jittychitty Thanks for watching

[@exjacobite]

Your videos are excellent. I'm considering going into teaching Automotive engineering and machine shop. What you have done with these videos is brilliant. There seems to be a lack of youngsters with practical skills. I was apprenticed in the early 1980's and what you show in your videos is exactly how I was taught. My main problem iI feel is the Kids nowadays aren't too keen on getting their hands dirty.

[@daveallen1847]

You absolutely rock Mr Pete! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.

[@thetruthseeker5549]

Someone who knows sharing with someone who needs to learn. I just inherited My grandfathers Craftsman that He had since the 40's and Your the guy walking Me through it. Thank You for the great videos! Hey did anyone ever tell You that You sound a little bit like Jimmy Stewart? Edit: I just checked Mine, it says "942" just like Air Sevens.

[@mrpete222]

Yes, lots of people said I sound like Jimmy over the years. Good luck with that craftsman

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Hi Mr. Pete! Thanks for making this informative video. One thing I noticed - the outboard oil hole in the crossfeed screw bearing housing - you were concerned because it does not line up with the hole in the top surface of the cross slide frame. You were concerned that the oil going into the little hole marked "oil" may not go to the bearing. I believe that it WILL get to the bearing. There are no threads on the bearing housing where the hole is located. There will be an annular gap between the cross slide casting and the bearing housing, because there aren't threads at that point. When you oil this point, the oil will flow around that annular gap, and make its way into the bearing housing hole! This is a somewhat common design and it works pretty well!

[@Farmall4ever]

Yes I agree, I was going to comment on that and you beat me to it!

[@mrpete222]

+davida1hiwaaynet Thanks-the oil does get in there

[@468delray]

nope, the 954 is not the date code. I purchased a 12x36 atlas/sears roebuck from the original family and they purchase the unit in 1941. that number is for something else and if I'm correct. didn't they go with a quick-change gear setup by the 50's

[@mrpete222]

Thank you

[@charlesdyer2376]

I learn something every time i watch one of your videos, thanks.

[@mrpete222]

+Charles Dyer Thanks for watching

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Another great instructional video. Seems like the Craftsman lathe has lasted a long time. I wonder when they sold the last one? I know I got mine in the 1970's. These days you either buy a Chinese lathe or a worn out industrial machine.

[@farmalltomf]

MrPete, the outboard oil hole does actually work. If you ever disassemble this again, you will see that the shaft is slightly undercut creating a small oil galley. I have a QC54 Atlas lathe and also an Atlas milling machine. Both use the same design on the screw mounting bushings. Hope this helps.

[@mrpete222]

+tom fleming I think you are correct

[@PeterWMeek]

There is a relief cut between the threads and the hex on that feedscrew housing. Any oil you put through the screwhole should run around that relief and eventually make it in to the bearing. You might want to read the MSDS on that Extreme Pressure lubricant. They don't recommend getting it on your skin, and they REALLY advise against inadvertently getting even tiny quantities in your mouth (by smoking, eating, or touching your mouth while there is any on your fingers). It's not just ordinary grease; there are some fairly nasty additives.It's the best replacement since they banned white lead for lubing dead centers, but some ordinary (safer) grease could be used on things like the crossfeed gear.

[@markhelms2287]

Good video as always Mr. Pete. It looks like there is a bit of an undercut behind the threads on your big nut that seems to me would allow the oil to find its way to the hole even if it is not aligned with the hole in the cross slide casting.

[@mrpete222]

+Mark Helms I think you are right

[@wolfskintango8429]

Thank You. The 20W non-detergent oil is a great tip.

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Thanks for the education Mr. Pete! Great stuff and very enlightening! Can you believe someone miss-drilled that hole on a precision machine!

[@mrpete222]

+ShysterLawyer Apparently the oil still gets in there

[@Opinionator52]

+mrpete222 I did notice the inner hole was in a grove and that the oil could likely migrate, to is proper place... O,,,

[@miguelcastaneda7236]

thanks for video again full disambelly..helps alot on mine i marked the limits of travel on cross slide leadscrew...dremel made mark then filled in flourscent paint

[@starforged]

On the threads of the cross feed would it be good to put an oil feed hole threw the bolt that holds the cross nut so that the threads get clean oil? As always thank you for a great video. You can't hear me but quite often in the shop I say thank you Mr. Pete.

[@joea3728]

As always, a great video. You mentioned one of the oil holes was useless. That is incorrect. The relief cut around the threads creates a reservoir. When this reservoir is filled, the oil will flow through the second whole regardless of the second holds position. Capillary action will pull the oil into the bearing surfaces between the shaft and the barrel. The South Bend lathes or made the same way. The holes do not have to line up. Keep oiling it. It will get in there.

[@mrpete222]

+Joe Allen Yes- you are apparently right on the oil hole

[@specialks1953]

@mrpete222 I did read somewhere that the numbers in that area of the lathe are the casting dates of the beds. As you said, yours would be August(8) or September(9) of 1954. (I have since found that 954 seems to be on all of them. NOT a date code.) Your ways look like the 3/8 inch in the video. I am not sure when the 1/2" ways started being sold but I think possibly in 1958 on the Craftsman Commercial. - - - I have been looking for one in workable condition for not too much money myself. - - As for a lathe, I have nothing now but want and 2 micrometers. - - Maybe some day I will find one not too expensive.

[@mrpete222]

+specialks1953 You will find one-there are many out there.

[@specialks1953]

+mrpete222 Not many in Houston, Texas, thanks for your videos Mr. Pete. God Bless...

[@TinkeringJohn]

+specialks1953 From seeing all the lathes Mr. Pete has, I think he bought them all and have them stashed somewhere. LOL

[@miguelcastaneda7236]

specialks1953 if you look at some will.have the chraftsman.id tag..serial.number.end of bed..bit if you look.on the side ..opposite.side.some also have the atlas..stamp.on bed...oh bought..12 inch atlas..for 200$..craigslist..3 yrs ago.

[@markkoons7488]

Could the oil hole that's misaligned at about 15:00 be shimmed back into position with hard paper washers under the nut? Also, I have a similar lathe with a lousy motor that has only one pulley. I've been thinking in terms of using pulleys of the correct diameter on the new motor but wonder whether it is feasible to slow the lead screw by using a smaller motor pulley in one position. Your thoughts?

[@gordoneckler4537]

There's a groove around the large "nut" to allow oil from the hole to find it's way to the hole in the large "nut".

[@mrpete222]

+Gordon Eckler Now I see it-Thanks for watching

[@gordtaylor2635]

Tubalcain I have a 12 like you. I think the front oil hole will feed the thread which will distribute the oil to the appropriate place. I had mine apart including the apron to replace the half nuts and the bevel gear. My lead screw is somewhat worn near the headstock and I was wondering if I could cut the lead screw and flip it end for end to bring a less worn area of the lead screw close to the headstock?

[@mrpete222]

+Gord Taylor I think you are right about the oil hole. Take the leadscrew out to see if that is possible

[@colin8653]

The oil may build up in that thread relief area and get into the oil hole for the shaft

[@mrpete222]

+Colin Samms You are right

[@Migueldeservantes]

Great Video Thank you so much for sharing it. I'm perfectly aware that I may be pushing it.. but is there any one that have any type of documentation or photographs..showing the Gigs and set up of how they machine the lathes?? That really have to be awesome. My dad use to tell me that must lathes have to be aged for years under the weather to allow all stresses to relax then they use to rectify them...

[@mrpete222]

+Migueldeservantes Yes--they seasoned the castings--my dad said the same thing

[@carver3419]

+mrpete222 Years ago a friend bought a Taiwanese table saw, and the top warped because the casting wasn't seasoned. He had to level it with as Blanchard Grinder.

[@experiencingtechnicaldiffi5184]

+Migueldeservantes I remember seeing in an engineering magazine long ago some pictures of the Southbend Lathe Works with castings piled up aging for a year before being put to use. After the castings are snagged they were painted and taken to the field. When their time came they were blasted clean and taken inside to be left to normalize for 2 weeks before the work of transforming them into the useful machines we know. Oh, how I wish I had saved more of those magazines. Mike (o\!/o)

[@mrpete222]

+Migueldeservantes I have none-Thanks for watching

[@brianmiles4477]

The place where the castings were placed for "Aging" was called the "Orchard". It was out in the open where the casting was subject to the four seasons of the year. WX conditions around Detroit Michigan is ideal for the aging process. The longer a V8 engine block stays in the orchard, the better block you will have.Where this aging process really shined was before WWII in the manufacturing of Five Inch gun barrels for the Navy. Talked to several old machinist that worked on the Gun Barrels in the mid 30s. When showing up for work, he was given a serial Nr. of a barrel. He had to go out in the orchard and find it, then bring it in, chuck it up and take a 35 thou cut off the outside, then put it back in the orchard. This process gave the barrels a much longer life while in action.

[@clarkfamily9050]

Just curious. Does the 54 on the 854 indicate a 54 inch bed? Additionally, is there an oil channel (cast or cut into the part) which might allow oil to run onto the cross feed shaft ( first oil screw)?

[@georgespangler1517]

I love my 12 inch,,, but the rattling gears was driving me nuts knowing rattling means wear,,,I sprayed with lucas red n tacky and i tell difference now if gears are engaged are not.

[@joedellaquila9766]

100 adjustable wrenches. I thought I was the only one who had that many.

[@MaturePatriot]

As always a very informative video. Which of your lathes gives you the most use, and which is your favorite?

[@mrpete222]

clausing

[@MrJp318]

Thanks for the last two videos, I have the same looking lathe that you are demonstrating on. I am new to the world of lathes and just recently acquired my lathe. I do have a few questions about it. What size pulley does your lathe have coming off of the 1/2hp motor? Mine came with several sizes and was just wondering what would be the optimal size. Also, you stated that you have a 12" lathe, what does this number relate to? The number inside of my bed is 942.

[@mrpete222]

+MrJp318 Ask this question in one week. I am in a motel

[@sapropbuster1]

You say the outside grub screw covering the oil hole is for naught, then why do they have 'OIL' marked on the cross slide? Do you think that the oil (since there are no threads for that gland nut all the way) will just seep around that unthreaded part and find the corresponding hole then in to the shaft of the cross feed screw? I LOVE your videos and one day wish to have a lathe of significance better than my Sears/Atlas 109!!!

[@mrpete222]

+Bob Severance I think you are right about the oil

[@Orgakoyd]

Hi all, I'm new to machine shop. Just wondering, when using the longitudinal feed, shouldn't you be able to lock the cross feed? or if turning a taper, wouldn't the load cause problems with backlash?

[@petestapperfend9654]

I’ve been watching your videos. I can’t find one on adjusting the cross slide feed screw. I have some slop on my Craftsman 12” lathe. Please advise.

[@brandonparr6345]

Same

[@sashasoule4585]

Hi mister Pete I have one of these machines I believe a six inch. It has a power cross slide but it runs rough you think I have to take it apart and clean? Ps how come the power cross slide doesn’t work when lead screw is engaged? I tried it and realized my machine prevents it (I figured I’d get to taper this way if it worked).

[@1dnr91]

Love your videos.... it's beyond me why you get any thumbs down.

[@mrpete222]

+1dnr91 Apparently they produce far better videos-Thanks for watching

[@carver3419]

+mrpete222 Those thumbs down actually demonstrate that there are more horse's asses than there are horses.

[@tombellus8986]

Thaks for another great video

[@mrpete222]

+Tom Bellus Thanks for watching

[@jerryblankenship9908]

What size of treads are lead screw in saddle

[@keithkemper]

Mrpete enjoy your videos would not the oil get to the shaft no matter the position of the hole with the 1/4 -3/16 grove in the collar of the piece ?? You give good explanation of equipment

[@mrpete222]

+Keith Kemper You are right-Thanks for watching

[@russellnewman3322]

You have some awesome videos! I need to repair my Atlas/Craftsman 12" compound mounting place on the cross slide. It is damaged badly from being use without the angled pins. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

[@mrpete222]

Never ran into that problem

[@russellnewman3322]

Trying to restore a lathe that was actually part of the old Lindy Pen inventory. It was used alot without the pins. My thought was to set my mig welder on low and fill the bad spots and hand file or dremel smooth.

[@russellnewman3322]

Got it done. Took some engineering. Four jaw independent chuck, an old Hardinge cross feed/tool rest and a Dumore tool post grinder. Used the center hole on the part and my tailstock to center it in the chuck and a dial indicator get true and run flat. Mounted the Hardinge crossfeed/tool rest on my Craftsman lathe the way it would have been on a Hardinge lathe, flat on the bed ways. The Dumore went on that. Welded the damage, ground it back to true, made pins and ready to reassemble. Thank you for your videos! I will be watching more!

[@MaineMachinist]

Once again, I'm surprised at the differences between your Atlas Craftsman 12 and mine. My controls are quite a bit different than yours. The power feed for the cross slide is a lever, not a button. The reverse feed lever on mine is in a different location. I'm going to have to put a video together comparing and contrasting our machines. My Model Number is 101.28910

[@mrpete222]

Yes, there are quite a few differences. I think the thickness of the bed Ways there's a difference as well. The newer beds are 1/2 inch thick. I think the older ones are three eights

[@MaineMachinist]

@@mrpete222 that extra 1/8 on the ways would provide some more rigidity, I suppose. Do you happen to know the year of your Atlas/Craftsman or the Model #?

[@miguelcastaneda7236]

Renegade Maine noticed mine end of bed has same model num....but on back of bed says atlas

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing.

[@mrpete222]

+ELSDP-45 Thanks for watching

[@geoffreyabegg9791]

Great video once again! As for the date on the bed, i have heard that castings for machine tools need to be aged so they 'settle' into their final size and shape before machining. so the date would help keep track of this aging process. Anyone else heard of this?

[@mrpete222]

+geoffrey abegg Yes--called seasoning

[@kevinwillis9126]

thankyou sir for sharing....

[@mrpete222]

+Kevin Willis Thanks for watching

[@tom7601]

I bet the oil would run down the groove then into the bearing.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

+tom7601 I was thinking that myself.

[@Bdirt926ontrack]

+tom7601 I was thinking the same thing. If there is enough undercut in the thread gravity would feed it there.

[@mrpete222]

+tom7601 Yes-I think you are right

[@petersmith9481]

Ø8

[@petersmith9481]

P

[@pheehzero]

Dear Mister Pete, I have an Atlas H54 and the cross-slide moves-in easily, but it is very hard to back out. Is there a fix for this? Or if anyone else knows...much appreciated!

[@mrpete222]

Take it completely apart and clean it. Reassemble with plenty of oil, and adjust the Gibbs

[@pheehzero]

@@mrpete222 Thanks, yes I have done that...I'm going to try and turn the brass nut 180 and see if it makes any difference. It shouldn't...but who knows?

[@pheehzero]

@@mrpete222 I turned it 180 and clean the shim and brass nut. Re-lubed with gear oil and it seems fine now. ;^)

[@engleharddinglefester4285]

They might have dated cast iron castings in order to keep track of their seasoning.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@samroesch]

Mr Pete, that second cross slide is off an 11" logan lathe! I've been scouring ebay for a T-slot cross slide for my 10" Atlas. Looks like the Logan and Atlas dovetails are the same, which is good to know. Here's one like yours: www.ebay.com/itm/LOGAN-LATHE-11-LEVER-OPERATED-DOUBLE-TOOL-POST-CROSS-SLIDE-TOOL-HOLDERS-WEDGES/233473293261?hash=item365c17bbcd:g:oJcAAOSw6-5eKXUr

[@mikeadrover5173]

Tank You ~M~

[@mrpete222]

+Mike A Drover Tanks for watchings

[@JunkMikesWorld]

I think you are fretting for nothing on that cross feed screw. It appears that the thread on its' mounting flange has a clearance cut for the threads termination. If that is the case filling the cavity with oil would allow oil to enter the mechanism even when the holes do not align. All the best! Mike

[@jaynegus4526]

It is hard to believe that the Sears name gets closer and closer to extinction each and every day. Some day the same fate will fall on Wal-Mart, Target, HomeDepot, Lowes etc. etc. Greed never takes a holiday - nothing lasts forever.

[@mrpete222]

+Jayne Gus The sears tower---now the willis tower! Thanks for watching

[@jmlcolorado]

Jayne Gus curious what your thoughts are on this topic today now that seats is all but gone.

[@phoenixcrp]

Who is the one who dislikes these videos? Go and produce better content or cut your thumb off!

[@mrpete222]

+Frank Acosta Mean spirited trolls