Craigslist lathe

[2004LB7]

I've been looking for a lathe for my garage for a while and seen two one Craigslist that seem to fit the size I'm looking for

I'm not looking at anything super precise or fancy, just something to make a few one off parts or fix things and learn more about lathe work

Here are the two I'm looking at. Emailed both and they say they are still available. The one in Napa area is a little closer and I don't have to fight any Bay area traffic. It is a Southbend which means it should be a bit easier to find support and parts for it. The one in the San Francisco area is probably a number of years older. Doesn't have as standard backing plates, tapers to live ends, etc. But what it does have going for it is several chucks, a decent amount of tooling, and quite a bit of other odds and ends that come with it

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/tls/d/napa-8-southbend-lathe/7024544019.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/tls/d/san-francisco-seneca-falls-star-lathe/7026045963.html

Which one would you guys get out of these two? Should I get the tried and true southbend or go with the fully equipped star lathe?

I know tooling can add up quickly so the star one is looking pretty good but if it has issues fixing it can be a pain.

If I pick up any I'll need to head out today. Otherwise I'll likely have to wait a week and they may be gone by then

 

[duramaxzak]

Personally I wouldn’t buy either one of those. I would look for a gear driven one, all them belts suck...

 

[duramaxzak]

This is what I have and works good. Came with 2 3 jaw chucks, 4 jaw chuck, quick change tool post and some tooling for $3k.

 

[2004LB7]

3k is way above my budget. I'm hopping for about $500 or so. It won't likely see too much use. More for hobbies and learning.

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of good options around me that are affordable so I will likely end up with an older belt driven one. If it ends up that bad maybe I'll convert it down the road and add a VFD or something

 

[Chevy1925]

You gotta look for estate sales or auctions and so on. I found mine through a friend as he was closing their machine shops doors.

I wouldn’t buy either either. In fact, I’d buy a 13” lathe knowing what I know now. I have a 10” and it is great for small to shmedium stuff but I hate the fact I can’t turn drums or rotors on it as most of the brakes at my house are too big for it.

I know those old style also use babbet bearings too which wear out and are not the easiest to replace.

Keep lookin

 

[2004LB7]

If I could fit a larger one in my garage I'd be tickled pink. There has even been a few times I could have turned some rotors too if I had one

The babbet bearings do concern me a little but anything better seems to command a premium around here. My brother has been scoping out estate sales and so far its only been junk or its gone the first hour and he never gets to see it.

I could probably rebuild the babbet bearings if I have to but roller bearings would be ideal for sure.

Any good ones that are priced right seem to be too far away. Even these two are further than I would like to travel but I'm not seeing much closer.

Since I lost any chance today to look at them I'll keep looking. If they are still available next week then maybe I'll take a drive out and see them in person

 

[04chase]

If turning rotors is the only reason you want a bigger lathe. The amount a decent lathe will cost . Even used decent will be 1k for a good american vintage lathe.

I personally have a mini lathe I use for mobile work and its only a 3x12 similar to harbor freight but with good tooling and quick change posts.

What type of parts are you making? Size is everything , fit as big as you can and be patient on deals. The best I've found are indeed at estate sales and even they will go for some decent amounts. The Taiwanese stuff seems to be better than most china stuff but still nothing as good as low use old vintage made machines. Be patient and do your homework.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[2004LB7]

I probably won't cut anything over 6" diameter. Rotors would be nice but they are not too expensive and it would take a lot of rotors to equal the cost of a larger lathe

I'll probably just be turning down plumbing fittings, bolts, electrical motor shafts, etc. Not too big or long

 

[gmc502]

I scored a nice little WT tool lathe,,came w/ a couple of chucks and a whole lot of tooling for $450.
tried to buy this super cool drill sharpener from him but no dice.still have his number.may try again.

 

[2004LB7]

I sharpen my drill bits on the bench grinder. While I can't do split points like the drill doctor they work just fine

 

[gmc502]

here you go

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/tls/d/somerville-14-south-bend-lathe/7045485816.html

 

[2004LB7]

As cool as that lathe is, its like 3000 miles away. Good find though for someone closer

 

[2004LB7]

How about this one?

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/d/emeryville-8x14-benchtop-lathe-nicely/7055686957.html

 

[Chevy1925]

dont look bad to me! id pick it up for what you are after. you can always tweak it into running true if its a bit off

 

[2004LB7]

Here is another one. Closer to me too. Looks to be in great shape. Love the vintage look too. Doesn't appear to come with any additional tooling . Little worried about the chuck mounted way out like that. Seems like it would reduce ridgidity. Also never heard of the brand and spare or replacement parts are likely non existent.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/d/sacramento-vintage-hl-shepard-metal/7064116574.html

 

[2004LB7]

Or possibly this one for a little less and some additional tooling and accessories. Not in as good of shape as the one above but probably more capable overall. Plus its a southbend

https://modesto.craigslist.org/tls/d/riverbank-south-bend-lathe/7063473264.html